Chapter 96 Derek's Confession
Ella glanced back at the two men before turning toward her room. Her expression was calm, but her gaze carried a quiet authority that couldn’t be ignored. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, her voice even but firm, her eyes meeting theirs in turn. Her words left no room for argument. They couldn’t avoid this, and they both knew it.
As her figure disappeared down the hall, Derek and Valen exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of the past—and what was about to be revealed—hung heavily between them. Both knew there was no escaping this moment, but neither wanted to go first.
Finally, Derek let out a breath and straightened his posture. “I’ll go first,” he said, his tone resolute. There was no hesitation in his steps as he walked toward Ella’s room. He didn’t care about whatever misunderstanding existed between her and Valen. All he wanted was for Ella to understand his actions and, if possible, forgive him.
This time, Valen didn’t argue or try to stop him. He stood in silence, watching Derek’s retreating form, his thoughts a storm of uncertainty.
Derek stepped into the room, his heart hammering in his chest as Ella turned to face him. She sat there with her arms crossed, her gaze piercing. She didn’t offer him a seat or any words of comfort, and Derek felt the full weight of her resentment. He swallowed hard as he lowered himself onto a chair across from her, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
“I hope you’re willing to tell me the truth, Alpha Derek,” Ella said coldly, her tone biting.
“For a long time now, I’ve wanted to, Ella,” Derek said softly, meeting her gaze. He forced himself to hold eye contact, despite the guilt and shame gnawing at him.
Ella didn’t flinch. Her expression was guarded, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as though bracing herself. “Then start talking. Why did you reject me, Derek?” Her voice cracked slightly, revealing the pain beneath her icy demeanor.
His mind raced as he tried to find the right words, but nothing felt enough to justify what he had done.
"Start from the rejection, fool," Leo growled in his head, the wolf’s frustration evident. "That's what she needs to hear—why you rejected her."
Derek met Ella’s unwavering gaze and began, his voice heavy with regret. "Ella, I’m so sorry for what happened five years ago. I was the most foolish man to ever let you go."
"Why?" Ella’s voice trembled, though her tone was sharp. The bitter memories of his rejection resurfaced, bringing with them a wave of emotions she could barely contain. Her hands clenched tightly together, her knuckles white as she awaited his answer.
“I was a coward,” Derek admitted, his voice raw. “I never imagined that my actions would hurt you as deeply as they did. When I felt your rejection in return, I couldn’t accept it. I searched for you everywhere, but it was as if you’d vanished into thin air.”
Ella’s breath hitched as she asked the question she had been holding onto for years. "Why did you deny me as your mate, Alpha Derek?”
Derek lowered his head, staring at his hands as though they carried the weight of his guilt. "Ella, I can only ask for your forgiveness. I was trapped—bound between duty and the bond. Alpha Crown, the Alpha of Moonstone Pack, made me his successor when he fell ill. He asked me to look after his daughter, Clara. She was his only child, and back then, neither of us had found our mates.
"I understood what he wanted," Derek continued, his voice tight with emotion. "He wanted Clara to be my Luna to secure her position in the pack.”
Derek paused, gripping his hands tightly as he continued. “I thought I could live without the bond of a true mate, that I could do my duty to Moonstone and to him. But then... I met you, Ella.”
His words hung in the air, raw and vulnerable. “That night, Ella, when I found you, I felt something I’d never felt before. It was real, and it terrified me. I didn’t know how to choose between you and the pack that depended on me. Everyone already saw Clara as my Luna and when you called me your mate at Kevin’s engagement, I panicked. Everyone was watching. Clara was there. I didn’t mean to deny you, especially after what we shared. I thought I could explain later, but you disappeared before I could.”
Tears welled in Ella’s eyes, spilling over as his words reopened wounds she thought had scarred over.
"I wanted to explain, Ella. I wanted to tell you everything, but before I could... you were gone. And then the plague hit. Everything fell apart."
Derek stood abruptly, pacing the room as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "I couldn’t betray Alpha Crown. He treated me like a son, trained me, made me who I am today. But in trying to honor him, I failed you. I failed us. And I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
“I never stopped thinking about you, Ella,” Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I couldn’t bring myself to mark Clara. Leo wouldn’t let me. He wanted his true mate—you. I wouldn’t let me. I wanted you, Ella. I just... I didn’t know how to fight for you.”
“At first, I didn't understand my feelings. I thought it was just the mate bond, but seeing you again after all these years... I know now. You’re more than that to me. You’re part of my life. And I am willing to spend the rest of my days seeking redemption for the pain I caused you. Please…Ella forgive me.”
Ella looked into his eyes, her heart aching as she saw the sincerity in his words. But the memories of the pain he had caused her were still fresh, and one truth refused to be silenced.
She took a shaky breath, her tears finally spilling over. “It’s too late for apologies, Derek. Do you even know what I went through because of you? I lost our pup,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Derek froze, his entire body stiffening as her words sank in. His heart shattered. “Ella… I…” His voice cracked as he struggled to speak. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. But why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me know about him?”
“I was going to tell you,” Ella said, her tears falling freely now. “When I saw you at the hospital, but you were with her. I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. You chose her, Derek. You made your choice, and it wasn’t me.”
Derek’s fists clenched at his sides, anger and guilt swirling within him. “I didn’t know,” he said hoarsely. “I didn’t know, Ella. I’m sorry. I was blind. I was so caught up in my own mess that I didn’t see yours. I failed you, and I failed our pup. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
Ella shook her head, her voice trembling. “You don’t get to ask for forgiveness, Derek. Not after what you did.”
Derek moved to stand in front of her, his eyes pleading. “What can I do to make it right, Ella? Tell me. I’ll do anything.”
But Ella turned away, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. “You can’t bring back what I’ve lost.”
Derek felt his heart shatter as he watched her crumble in front of him. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew he had no right. Not after everything he’d done. “I’m so sorry, Ella,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, his heart heavy with guilt and regret.
The sight of her tears haunted him with every step he took. Each step felt heavier than the last. Her tears were a silent judgment, reminding him of every wrong choice he had made.
As he walked past Valen and out of the manor, Derek felt no relief. He had spoken the truth, but instead of easing his guilt, it only opened fresh wounds. He wondered if they would ever heal.
Valen watched Derek’s retreating figure, dread filling him. He knew it was his turn now. The weight of what he had to confess pressed heavily on his chest. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to Ella’s room.
He hesitated at the door, his hand hovering over the handle as he gathered his courage. Finally, he pushed it open and stepped inside.
Ella’s tear-streaked face broke his heart. Her eyes were red, her cheeks swollen, and her sorrow hung in the air like a heavy fog.
Valen swallowed hard. He didn’t want to hurt her further, but he couldn’t keep the truth from her any longer. Whatever her decision, he would respect and accept it.
If she rejected him after this, he would accept his fate and step aside.