Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 537: Chapter 537 – Please take us with you

Seraphine smiled warmly at the seriousness in Athaliah’s expression, recognizing right away that this wasn’t just casual curiosity. This was something Seraphine had never thought about. ”That’s a serious question.”

Athaliah nodded. She wasn’t asking out of simple curiosity. She was searching for something deeper, and Seraphine could see it clearly in her eyes. Reassurance, closure, an answer that would help her finally make up her mind.

”I’ll be honest with you.” Seraphine began searching through her mind and through all the men she had ever known in her life.

Athaliah gave her full attention, waiting patiently while the quiet inside the vehicle felt heavier with expectation. Seraphine’s smile softened as she continued.

”I really do love Corvine.”

Athaliah’s heart skipped a beat at the words. Before she could start to misunderstand, Seraphine kept going without hesitation.

”If Voren hadn’t captured my heart a long time ago, Corvine would’ve been the one.” Her eyes instinctively searched for Voren through the windshield, finding him still out there among the others.

It felt as though Athaliah had finally found the answer she’d been searching for all this time. The tension in her shoulders eased, and Seraphine smiled at the subtle change in her expression.

”That’s exactly why I want him to be happy.” She looked outside at Corvine, who was still helping the others clear the remaining snow with the same steady focus he always carried. ”It’s just unfortunate that he doesn’t fall for women easily. Back when we both lived in this pack, he never had a romantic relationship with a single she-wolf until now.”

Athaliah couldn’t help smiling at that. ”He told me he liked you.”

Seraphine laughed softly, the sound warm and free of any awkwardness. ”I can tell you two have had quite a few conversations.”

The teasing in her voice made Athaliah’s cheeks turn pink, but Seraphine didn’t let the moment linger too long. ”But yes,” she admitted honestly, ”I liked him too, but I just always felt like my heart already belonged to someone else, even when I didn’t know it was Voren.”

She rested a hand over her chest as if to emphasize the truth of it. ”That’s the only reason we never became anything more than best friends or siblings, as Corvine usually puts it.”

There wasn’t a hint of regret in her voice, only quiet gratitude for the way things had unfolded.

”And trust me, his parents are wonderful people. I still miss them sometimes.”

Athaliah quietly absorbed every word, and the answer brought her more comfort than she had expected. After a moment she let out a quiet laugh and rubbed the back of her neck.

”Honestly, I don’t have much experience with men. I spent years planning my life around one person so, I needed your help.” Gratitude filled her eyes as she looked at Seraphine. ”And thank you for giving it to me.”

Seraphine frowned in mild confusion. ”What did I do?”

Athaliah smiled, the expression soft and sincere. ”Aside from your husband, I needed to know who the most prominent man really was, and you answered me honestly.”

Realization dawned on Seraphine almost instantly. A bright smile spread across her face as she leaned forward with open excitement. ”Does that mean, you’re going to give Corvine a chance?”

Athaliah drew in a deep breath before nodding. ”I noticed how a lot of she-wolves at the festival kept staring at him.”

A playful smile tugged at the corner of her lips. ”I need to take care of a few things in France first. Then I’ll come back and see where this relationship takes us.” A mischievous sparkle appeared in her eyes. ”Who knows? If I stay away too long, someone else might steal him from me.”

The woman she had in mind was Jasmine, though whether Seraphine caught the hidden meaning or not, Athaliah couldn’t quite tell. Before she could say another word, Seraphine squealed with pure excitement and threw her arms around her in a tight hug.

”I’m so happy!” The few Luna friends she once had, had all let her down and she was glad to have a female friend among the many men she was surrounded with, someone who had similar ambitions as her.

Athaliah laughed and returned the embrace, the warmth of it settling comfortably between them.

Seraphine once feared Corvine might end up with a woman she wouldn’t like but now, that fear was completely erased.

At that exact moment the driver’s door opened. Voren slipped into the driver’s seat and raised an amused eyebrow at the sight of the two women still holding onto each other. ”What are you celebrating?”

Only then did Seraphine notice something outside the windows. The roads, the pathways, even the driveways had been cleared of snow. The work was finally done. She released Athaliah with a grin still lighting up her face.

”Just women’s talk.”

Voren chuckled, the sound low and knowing. ”I figured.”

Before anyone could say another word, the passenger-side door opened. Corvine stood outside, smiling warmly as he looked straight at Athaliah.

”Liah.” He extended his hand toward her, hope shining plainly in his eyes. ”Are you riding with me?”

The invitation sounded simple, but the look on his face made it clear he didn’t want her to refuse. Athaliah smiled without hesitation and slipped her hand into his. The instant she stepped out of the SUV, another figure approached with measured steps.

Alpha Killian.

His expression was composed, though there was unmistakable tension sitting just beneath the surface.

”Athaliah.” He stopped a respectful distance away. ”Please, I’d like a moment to speak with you.”

Corvine’s smile faded slightly at the interruption. Noticing the situation right away, Voren immediately climbed back out of the driver’s seat.

He had no intention of letting Corvine’s opportunity slip away so easily. Walking toward Killian, he offered him a calm, polite smile.

”Alpha Killian, I think you and I should have a conversation instead.”

For the first time that day, Killian looked genuinely nervous. His throat tightened, and before he could respond, voices suddenly erupted around them from every direction.

”Luna Sera!”

Within seconds, members of the Centenary Pack surrounded the SUV, their faces filled with open desperation. One after another they looked through the windows at Seraphine, voices overlapping with emotion.

”Luna Sera...” An older warrior’s eyes reddened as he spoke. ”You’re not leaving us again, are you?”

Another stepped forward before she could answer, his voice cracking under the weight of what he was asking. ”If you have to leave, then please take us with you.”