Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 482: Chapter 482 - I don’t have that kind of blood

Corvine froze right there in the doorway, his mind spinning for a second. Sharing a room with a woman had never been a thing for him before.

The only real exception had been Seraphine, and even then it was never weird. Sometimes she’d stay up all night buried in one of her intense hacking projects, and he’d just crash in her room waiting for her to finish.

Their bond had always felt easy and natural, but Athaliah was completely different. He’d only just met her, after all, and though he liked her, her father was a great obstacle.

Seeing the clear uncertainty flash across his face, Athaliah quickly raised both hands in a gentle, reassuring gesture. ”I promise I won’t be any trouble at all,” she said softly. There wasn’t even the tiniest hint of flirting in her voice, just pure nervousness and a touch of embarrassment for even having to ask.

Corvine let out a slow, steady breath and finally gave in. ”You can take the bed,” he told her, taking her to his room as he pointed toward the couch. ”I’ll crash right here.”

Pure relief flooded across Athaliah’s face. ”Thank you,” she said warmly, offering him a genuine smile as she stepped further into the room. ”I really appreciate this more than you know.”

Corvine nodded and quietly pulled a blanket from the closet while she got settled.

At first, the silence in the room felt strangely charged. Just knowing there was a woman sleeping only a few feet away made it tough for him to fully relax. His mind stayed sharp and alert way longer than normal, replaying the day and keeping him on edge.

But as the hours stretched on, he realized Athaliah was true to her words. She didn’t push for conversation, didn’t invade his space, and didn’t act any different. She simply thanked him one more time, slipped under the covers, and drifted off to sleep with a level of trust that genuinely surprised him.

She barely knew him, yet here she was, sleeping peacefully in his room like she felt completely safe with him. That thought lingered in his head until exhaustion finally took over, and he drifted off too.

A firm knock on the door yanked Corvine out of his sleep. His eyes blinked open slowly. The room was still quiet and peaceful.

He glanced over at the bed and saw Athaliah still fast asleep, looking incredibly serene in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Her long dark hair fanned out across the pillow, and her peaceful expression made her look almost angelic, stirring something warm and unexpected in his chest.

For a long moment, Corvine just stood there quietly watching her. Then he moved carefully, making sure not to wake her, and headed to the door.

He opened it to find Voren standing there. The Alpha’s eyes immediately drifted past Corvine and landed on the sleeping woman in the bed. One eyebrow lifted slowly in clear surprise. Then his gaze snapped back to Corvine, and a deep frown settled over his face. ”What exactly is going on here?”

Corvine couldn’t help smiling at the obvious misunderstanding. ”Let’s talk outside,” he said, stepping into the hallway and gently closing the door behind him.

Voren started walking. ”Come with me to the kitchen.”

Corvine fell into step beside him. ”Dad’s teaching me how to make Seraphine’s favorite soup,” Voren explained with a big grin. ”I figured you should learn it too. You never know when you might need to take care of Sera if I’m not around.”

Corvine chuckled warmly. ”That’s actually really thoughtful of you.”

The two of them continued toward the kitchen, talking in low voices the whole way. Corvine filled him in on everything that had happened the night before, from Athaliah’s deep fear of sleeping alone in hotels to that suspicious black sedan that had followed them.

Voren listened intently without interrupting once. When Corvine finished, Voren opened up about everything going on with Oriana. By the time they reached the kitchen, Vladimir was already there waiting, wearing an apron with total confidence and looking completely in his element.

”You’re late,” Vladimir said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a soft smile. ”Now pay attention.”

He walked them through every single step with patience. First, he showed them exactly how to season the chicken, carefully explaining the perfect amounts of salt, herbs, ginger, and pepper before sliding the bowl into the refrigerator. ”Let it sit for a while,” he instructed. ”The flavors need time to really soak deep into the meat.”

Corvine and Voren watched closely, asking questions whenever they needed something clarified. Once the chicken was ready, Vladimir moved on to the soup itself, breaking down each ingredient and the exact order everything needed to go in.

The hotel’s chef occasionally stepped over to offer advice on vegetables and fruits that could help ease nausea during pregnancy. Voren mentally repeated every single step, determined not to miss even one detail. This soup meant the world to Seraphine, and he wasn’t about to mess it up.

After getting the pot simmering on the stove, Vladimir checked the heat one last time. ”It’ll need about two hours.” He stretched his shoulders with a tired sigh. ”I just got back and haven’t rested yet.” A weary but content smile crossed his face. ”I’m gonna get some sleep.”

Voren wanted to ask about Oriana and how the shaman had reacted to the whole thing but his father’s tired look prevented him.

Vladimir headed out, leaving the rich, comforting aroma of the soup slowly filling the entire kitchen.

Voren stirred the pot once, then glanced over at Corvine with a teasing smile creeping across his face. ”So...you really like her,” Voren said knowingly.

Corvine didn’t even try to deny it. A small smile tugged at his lips. ”I do.” But the smile faded quickly as reality settled back in. ”Her father wants her to marry an Alpha, though.” He lowered his eyes, doubt creeping into his voice for the first time in a while. ”And I’m not one. I don’t have that kind of blood.”

Voren remembered his recent conversation with the Alpha King and how impossible the man’s pride had been. His expression hardened with resolve. ”Corvine.” He waited until Corvine met his eyes. ”You’re a better man than most Alphas I’ve ever met. I honestly believe that once Athaliah gets to know the real you, she won’t give a damn what her father thinks.”

Corvine’s chest warmed with genuine gratitude. ”Thanks,” he said, a sincere smile spreading across his face.

Then something hit him suddenly, and his expression turned nervous. ”I forgot to lock the door.”

Voren frowned, not seeing that as a problem since only authorized people were allowed into the building. ”What?”

”There was someone following us last night,” Corvine informed him, the relaxed mood vanished instantly. Voren’s voice turned dead serious. ”Go check on her.” He glanced back at the pot. ”From what dad said, the soup would still need time to cook.” A soft, affectionate smile stretched his lips. ”I want it ready before Sera wakes up.”

Almost right away, he rubbed the back of his neck. ”She’s already trying to mind-link me.”

Corvine looked confused. ”Then why don’t you answer her?”

Voren laughed quietly. ”If I tell her where I am, she’ll come straight to the kitchen.” His eyes drifted lovingly toward the simmering soup. ”And that would ruin the surprise.”

Corvine nodded with understanding. ”That makes total sense.”

He left the kitchen and headed back toward the hotel rooms. As he rounded the corner in the hallway, he suddenly came face-to-face with Seraphine.

She stopped in front of him, her curious eyes searching his face. ”Corvine? Then who was in the shower?”

He answered honestly, not hiding anything. ”It’s Athaliah.” He gave her the quick version of everything that had happened the night before, including why she’d ended up sleeping in his room.

Understanding washed over Seraphine’s face right away. ”Oh.” She nodded, then remembered why she’d been looking for him. ”Have you seen Voren?” She glanced around the hallway. ”It’s already past noon. We should be getting ready to leave for the Centenary Pack.”