Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 383: Chapter 383 – The woman beside the Alpha

Seraphine had been bracing herself for rejection from the moment Voren first mentioned introducing her to the pack. She’d worked hard not to let her hopes climb too high, knowing full well how much a Luna meant to everyone.

A total stranger stepping into that kind of powerful role? Yeah, she figured plenty of them would need time to warm up to the idea, especially since she hadn’t grown up among them and was Ravyn’s ex-wife.

That’s why Kael’s words hit her like a lightning bolt.

Her brows knitted together as she spun toward Voren, the same stunned confusion written all over her face that she saw on his. ”What are you even talking about?”

Voren’s voice carried the same mix of surprise as he stared at his Beta.

Kael had this big, amused grin on his face, clearly loving every second of their reactions. ”Alpha, just hang around while she’s duty. You might catch some pretty interesting gossip.”

Seraphine blinked hard. Gossip? About her?

Voren still didn’t look totally sold. He wasn’t the type to waste time eavesdropping on pack chatter. He had way too much on his plate for that. But if it involved his pack and the woman he loved more than anything, then damn right he wanted to hear it. His eyes stayed locked on Kael. ”Alright. I’ll do it.”

Kael’s smile stretched even wider, like he couldn’t wait for the show.

Voren reached for the silicone mask, pulling it carefully from its case. The whole room felt heavier, more serious now. He held it up, studying it one last time before turning to Seraphine. ”It won’t hide your eye color,” he said, his voice steady and calm, ”but everything else can be covered up pretty well.”

His eyes softened with so much tenderness as he stepped closer, and Seraphine felt her heart squeeze. ”After the Full Moon Festival, I’m making sure you get coronated before the Blood Moon hits, no matter what.”

A rush of warmth flooded Seraphine’s chest instantly. She understood exactly why Voren was pushing for that order. The Blood Moon Festival was wild and unpredictable, too many things could go wrong, too many secrets could explode into the open, too many dangers could come crawling out of the shadows.

Voren was making sure that before any of that chaos, their relationship would already be official and recognized by the entire pack. No one would be able to tear them apart after that.

The realization wrapped around her heart like the warmest, safest blanket in the world. For so long she’d been scared of what the mate bond might bring, the beautiful parts, the terrifying ones, all the unknowns in between.

But every single time those fears crept up, Voren was there, chasing them away with his actions. He kept choosing her, over and over again, in ways that made her feel more loved than she’d ever dreamed possible. A deep, soul-settling peace washed over her, the kind she’d never known before.

She reached out and brushed her fingers along his arm, a small touch that carried every ounce of gratitude she couldn’t quite put into words.

Kael watched the whole thing with barely hidden amusement. This was the first time he’d ever seen this side of Voren, the ruthless Alpha everyone feared had turned into someone completely attentive, patient, and unbelievably gentle the second Seraphine was around.

It was honestly kind of fascinating to watch. A soft chuckle slipped out of him. ”Finally,” he said dramatically, slapping a hand over his chest, ”we’re getting a real Luna.”

Seraphine let out a soft laugh. He wasn’t totally wrong. Luna Oriana still technically held the title, but everyone knew how things really worked.

Voren was the Alpha, his word carried more weight than anyone else’s, which meant Oriana’s influence had always been limited.

Once Seraphine was officially coronated, she’d have the full power and responsibilities of a true Luna. The thought still felt surreal, like something out of a dream she was almost scared to believe.

Voren glanced at Kael. ”And don’t forget she’s bringing her whole team with her.”

Kael nodded right away. ”Whoever she wants to bring into the pack will be more than welcome.”

Voren kept rolling out instructions without missing a beat, his Alpha presence filling the room naturally. ”Get the empty pack condos ready for them. Make sure they’re fully furnished and as comfortable as possible.”

Kael was already mentally checking off the list.

”And for Corvine,” Voren continued, ”give him the room right beside the Luna’s chamber on my floor.”

Seraphine’s eyes widened a little. That was a huge gesture. Voren’s private floor wasn’t open to just anybody. Right now, only a handful of people stayed there. Kael had the room on the left, the one on the right had always been saved for the future Luna, and the rest were used as needed while some male omegas kept the Alpha’s quarters running smoothly. Things would definitely need rearranging once Seraphine moved in too.

Kael nodded thoughtfully. ”I’ll make sure it’s all taken care of.” Then his face grew more serious. ”There’s something else I need to talk to you about, Alpha.” His eyes flicked quickly toward Seraphine. ”We can go over it when Luna’s busy.”

The word made Seraphine wince, her expression turning playful. ”Careful there. Keep calling me Luna and you’re gonna blow my whole cover.” She smiled as she picked up the mask. ”For now, just introduce me as Suzette Ash. If you slip up, it won’t raise too many red flags right away.”

Voren watched her with such open affection that it made her stomach flutter. Even with the disguise, she still looked beautiful to him. He stepped in close and gently adjusted the edges of the mask, making sure it sat perfectly.

His fingers lingered just a little longer than they needed to, and Seraphine felt that familiar spark between them. The corner of her mouth lifted into a smile.

Kael rolled his eyes, but he was still grinning. These two were getting ridiculous.

After studying her for a second, a new idea hit him. ”Alpha, I think we should go with mask with the blonde hair.” He grabbed the blonde mask and held them it up. Voren looked it over and nodded. ”The blonde.”

A moment later the mask was changed and the transformation was shockingly good. The dark-haired woman they all knew had vanished. In her place stood someone totally different.

Kael stared for a few long seconds before giving a satisfied nod. Voren looked just as pleased. The two men shared a quick glance and clapped hands together. ”Perfect.”

Kael looked proud of himself. ”No one’s gonna have a clue that Luna Seraphine is actually Suzette Ash.”

Seraphine laughed, because even she barely recognized the person staring back at her when she looked in the mirror.

Voren’s gaze lingered on one little detail, though. Ash. A shortened version of Ashkael. It was such a simple fake last name, but it hit him way harder than it probably should have.

The thought of her carrying his name, even as part of this disguise, sent a deep warmth spreading through his chest. One day it wouldn’t be pretend anymore. One day she’d officially take his name for real, and he was already looking forward to that moment more than he wanted to admit.

Not long after, they arrived at the pack hospital. The second they walked through the doors, everything changed.

Conversations cut off mid-sentence. Footsteps slowed to a stop. Nurses froze where they stood. Doctors paused whatever they were doing. Every single pair of eyes turned straight toward the Alpha... and then to the woman walking right beside him.

Confusion washed over their faces almost immediately. No one had any idea who she was. But the fact that she was standing next to Voren was enough to leave the whole hospital stunned, the air thick with unspoken questions.