Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 33: Chapter 33 – You’re the one who pushed me to the wall

Voren had been in a foul mood ever since his best friend, Ravyn, was expelled from the Sovereign Circle. Sadly, he could do nothing about it because Ravyn was the one who set the rule about the cutting point.

The decision had come down like a blade, swift, merciless, and final. Voren had read the official notice twice, then crushed it in his fist. Ravyn didn’t deserve it, not after everything he had contributed, not after the years of loyalty.

Worse still, Voren couldn’t even bring himself to call and deliver the news. He knew Ravyn too well, how deeply the rejection would cut, how it would bruise the pride Ravyn carried like armor.

That morning, Voren had seriously considered clearing his desk, postponing his meetings, and flying with his jet straight to the Centenary Pack himself. Breaking such news deserved respect in the form of a face-to-face honesty.

But the day had other plans. Several members of the Sovereign Circle arrived unannounced, as they often did. Their relationship with Voren allowed such liberties.

No prior notice, no appointments. Discussions stretched longer than expected, tension humming beneath polite conversation. In the middle of it all, his secretary called him on the intercom and whispered a name that instantly soured his mood.

Seraphine. She was the reason why the Walkers Global Enterprise, his best friend’s Company was finding it hard to stay afloat. All Voren asked was for Seraphine to give a few weeks, but she refused, and that deliberate act amounted to the fall he now mourned.

Now she was here to plead. The mere sound of her name ignited something dark in his chest. Voren didn’t hesitate. ”Tell her I’m unavailable,” he said coldly.

He assumed she would leave. Sensible people usually did, but how wrong he was. Not only had she stayed, but she had chosen the most public and humiliating way possible to announce her presence.

”Voren Ashkael,” her voice rang out across the floor, sharp and unrestrained, ”how do you have the peace to sleep at night when all you know how to do is cause trouble?”

The room froze, and Voren stiffened, his jaw tightening as if the words had struck him physically. Every encounter he’d ever had with Seraphine had ended unpleasantly. He despised her defiance, her refusal to bend, her infuriating habit of meeting power head-on without flinching. He didn’t want her near him, not even an inch.

Slowly, deliberately, he turned to see the fire burning in her eyes. If there was anyone capable of making beautiful blue eyes look dangerous, it was Seraphine.

Rage sharpened her features, lending her an almost feral intensity. Voren straightened to his full height, elegant and imposing, his tailored suit doing nothing to soften the lethal aura that surrounded him.

”How dare you come here?” he asked, his voice low and venomous.

He was taller, broader, more intimidating than any Alpha Seraphine had ever faced including Ravyn. His presence alone was enough to make seasoned men lower their eyes, but Seraphine didn’t move.

Though much shorter, she lifted her chin and met his gaze squarely. ”How dare you convince the Stone Group shareholders to pull out because of me?” she shot back. ”Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

Voren’s eyes flicked around the room. One by one, the spectators melted away under his stare, retreating as though fleeing an invisible line of fire. Soon, only Corvine and his secretary remained. Voren turned to Corvine and smiled, a slow, mocking curve of his lips.

”Leaving the fight to a woman?” he asked coolly. Before Corvine could answer, Voren continued, his tone sharpening. ”You disobeyed my orders because of her, and you think bringing her here would change my mind?”

Humiliation burned across Corvine’s face, his anger surged, and his mouth opened to respond, but Seraphine cut in again, unyielding.

”I’m the one standing in front of you,” she said firmly. ”I’m the one who invested in his company. Or are you afraid to deal with me directly?”

Her confidence sent a chill through the secretary. No one spoke to Voren Ashkael like this. No one, and worse, there was no sign Seraphine intended to back down.

”Afraid of you?” Voren frowned deeply, incredulity flashing through his eyes before hardening into contempt. ”No. You’re the one wasting my time, and until the day the Stone Group kicks you out completely, I’ll make sure they’re reduced to beggars.”

The vow was cold, absolute, but rage exploded through Seraphine. Her control snapped, fury blazing across her face as she drew up her fist, ready to strike him in the face, but Voren moved faster.

He caught her small hand in his large palm, fingers closing firmly around her wrist. He hadn’t forgotten her attack at the Walker’s restaurant when he had gone to speak with her about donating her blood to Daisy.

Amusement laced his voice, though his eyes were glacial. ”As willful as ever,” he murmured. ”But this time, you’ll regret not listening to me.” His grip on her hand tightened but Seraphine yanked her hand free, her gaze unwavering, unbroken.

”Don’t forget, Voren,” she said evenly, ”you’re the one who pushed me to the wall. You have twenty-four hours to undo what you did or,” her eyes darkened. ”You won’t know what hit you.”

At that exact moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Voren’s assistant, Pete, stepped out, and beside him stood a familiar woman. ”Sir, is there a problem?” Pete asked cautiously but didn’t get an answer.

The woman beside him gasped and rushed forward, throwing herself into Seraphine’s arms. ”Lu...ah, Sera,” she cried, her voice breaking. ”I wanted to call, but I needed time...”

Seraphine stiffened, then relaxed as recognition dawned. Relief flickered across her face, but it was quickly overshadowed by concern. The sorrow in Nicole’s voice was unmistakable. Worse, a single tear slid down her cheek.

Seraphine’s anger evaporated in the blink of an eye. She cupped Nicole’s face gently, her tone softening completely. ”Nicole,” she asked quietly, ”what happened to you?”