Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 18: Chapter 18 – Do you regret it now?

The divorce mattered too much for Seraphine to refuse. She stared at the unfamiliar number on her phone for a long moment, her fingers tightening around the device before she finally spoke.

”If this is about the divorce,” she said calmly, masking the tension coiling in her chest, ”then I’ll send my location.”

The message barely went through when the voice returned, sharper this time, edged with disbelief.

”You live with the Alpha’s parents?” he asked. ”Are you planning to go back to him?”

Disappointment seeped through his tone, unmistakable and unnecessary. Seraphine frowned, irritation flickering briefly before she smothered it. ”I would never return to him,” she replied firmly. There was no hesitation, no room for doubt. She meant every word.

A pause followed, then a resigned sigh. ”Alright, I’m on my way.”

Hours later, Edward approached her just as naturally as if he were announcing the arrival of a courier. ”There’s a man outside looking for you,” he said. ”He refused to give his name.”

They were in the middle of lunch. Humphrey paused mid-bite, while Kylie’s expression tightened with concern. ”We should come with you,” she said immediately.

Before Seraphine could respond, Corvine was already on his feet. ”I’ll escort her,” he said evenly. ”Just in case.”

Kylie hesitated, then nodded. ”Alright.”

Seraphine followed Corvine toward the gate, her heart strangely unsettled. But the moment she stepped outside and her eyes landed on the man waiting beside a sleek, posh sports car, the blood drained from her face.

”Augustine Clyde,” she whispered.

Her vision blurred as tears welled unexpectedly, shock and old memories crashing into her at once. Then confusion followed swiftly. ”You... you sounded different on the phone.”

Augustine smiled, composed and elegant in a tailored black suit that screamed city wealth and authority. Time had refined him, sharpened the boy she once knew into a man who looked like he belonged in courtrooms and boardrooms alike.

”I had to use a voice filter,” he admitted softly. ”I wasn’t sure you’d agree to meet me otherwise.”

In her younger days, Augustine had been obsessed with her openly, shamelessly so. But Seraphine had only ever had eyes for Ravyn.

During the Moon Festival, Augustine had been furious when he learned she had ended up in Ravyn’s bed. That night had driven him away from the pack for good.

”I’m sorry,” he said now, sincerity lining his gaze. ”For not believing you back then.”

Seraphine exhaled slowly. ”It’s in the past.” Then, without softening her words, she added, ”But August, I was never interested in you.”

She had turned down his proposal once, firmly and publicly right before the eve of the Moon Festival. He hadn’t attended her wedding to Ravyn, and she’d never blamed him for that.

”I know,” Augustine said, nodding. ”I work part-time at the council now. I’m also a barrister in the city.” His eyes flicked briefly to Corvine before returning to her. ”I was surprised when I saw your divorce agreement cross my desk.”

”It is what it is,” Seraphine said bitterly.

Augustine studied Corvine openly. ”So,” he said slowly, ”you left the Alpha for the beta?”

Before Seraphine could respond, Corvine chuckled lightly. ”I should be flattered,” he said, unbothered. ”But Sera is far too good for me. She’s completely out of my league.”

A visible wave of relief washed over Augustine. ”Good,” he muttered. ”It’s good to know your place.”

His attention returned fully to Seraphine. ”I’ll stamp the certificate today and have it delivered to you by tomorrow morning. Is this your permanent residence?”

Seraphine shook her head. ”No. I’ll be leaving for the city as soon as I receive it.”

”Then we’ll meet there,” Augustine said quietly. ”Even if you’re not ready, I’ll wait. Call me if you need anything.”

”Sure,” Seraphine replied politely, already knowing she never would.

Her focus was elsewhere, on rebuilding herself, on reclaiming her career, and on finding her daughter, whose identity remained painfully unknown.

When she returned inside, she told Humphrey and Kylie everything. They listened in silence, relief and sadness tangling in their expressions.

”Sera,” her father said gently, ”at least tell us where you’ll be. I promise we won’t tell Ravyn.”

She shared her plans with them, every detail laid bare. Though their eyes shimmered with sorrow, they nodded in understanding.

”It’s for the best,” Kylie said softly. ”We’ll visit whenever we’re in the city.”

The house grew heavy with unspoken goodbyes.

Just as Augustine had promised, the mailman arrived the next day. The moment Seraphine held the stamped divorce certificate in her hands, something inside her finally loosened.

She made a call immediately. ”Maddox Grey,” she said when the line connected. ”I’m pulling all my shares under the name Marjorie Steward from Walker Global Enterprises with immediate effect.”

There was a brief silence. ”Yes, ma’am,” Maddox replied carefully. ”But... what do you intend to do with the funds?”

”I’m coming to the city,” she said. ”I’ll be reinvesting elsewhere.”

A relieved sigh escaped him. ”Finally. I get to meet you in person.”

”All the better,” Seraphine replied. ”Same here.”

Humphrey and Kylie took her departure the hardest, though they never tried to stop her. What none of them expected was Ravyn’s sudden arrival.

”Mom. Dad.” His voice was sharp, impatient. ”Where is Sera? She needs to return to the pack. I have urgent business in the city.”

Humphrey looked at him with quiet sadness. ”Sera would never return to the pack.”

Ravyn scoffed, a smug smile tugging at his lips. ”I can stall the divorce if she refuses. This is important, and I need to be in the city.”

”Then let Daisy handle it,” Kylie said with a shrug, Ravyn inhaled deeply, irritation flickering across his face. ”Mom, please. I’m already behind schedule. Just call Sera. Let me talk to her.”

Both parents smiled, amused, almost pitying. ”The divorce certificate was delivered yesterday,” Humphrey said calmly. ”Sera left as soon as she received it.” His gaze sharpened. ”Do you regret it now?”

Ravyn’s smile faltered. ”She left?” he asked slowly. ”Where did she go?”

For all he knew, Seraphine had nowhere else to go. He had assumed she’d remain here for the rest of her miserable life.

”Why should we tell you?” Kylie replied coolly. ”You’re divorced.”

”But I haven’t received any certificate,” Ravyn said firmly. ”We’re not divorced.”

Kylie’s lips curled. ”Sera received hers yesterday. Perhaps it arrived while you were away. Call whoever’s in charge and confirm it.”

Reluctantly, Ravyn pulled out his phone and dialed Daisy. ”Did you receive anything for me?” he asked.

The silence on the other end stretched unnaturally long, something dark flickered in Ravyn’s eyes.