Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 547: Chapter 547 – Espe is at it again

Seraphine woke to the soft, almost hesitant knock drifting through the quiet of the suite, the kind of sound that tugged her out of sleep without fully startling her.

She pushed herself upright, heart already reaching for the door, when her eyes landed on the folded note resting on the bed beside her.

A warm, unstoppable smile curved across her face as she looked from the paper in her hands to the two little bodies still lost in peaceful sleep, their faces soft and trusting against the pillows.

Something deep in her chest swelled so full it felt like the whole messy world could stay outside for a little while longer and she would still be okay.

Another gentle knock pulled her back, and she slipped out of bed, bare feet quiet on the carpet as she crossed the room. When she opened the door and saw Vladimir standing there with a tray, her whole face lit up.

”Dad.”

She reached for the tray right away, taking the weight from him with an easy familiarity.

Vladimir’s expression softened as he explained that he had been about to bring her the soup himself when the delivery Voren ordered showed up at the same time.

Seraphine carried everything over to the small table by the window, then turned back with a faint crease between her brows.

”Why didn’t you let Voren bring it?”

Vladimir’s mouth twitched like he had only just realized how quickly Voren had disappeared.

”Oh. He said he needed to take care of something, but he insisted that no one leave until he returned.”

Relief rolled through Seraphine in a quiet wave, and her shoulders eased.

”That means he’ll be back early.”

She quickly excused herself to the washroom to freshen up. When she returned, she lifted the bowl of hot steaming soup, blew across the surface, and took a careful spoonful.

Vladimir watched her with that small, fond smile of his. ”Is it to your liking?”

”Very much.”

Seraphine nodded, and the middle-aged man’s smile deepened before his gaze drifted toward the two children still sleeping on the bed. ”I should take them to my room.”

Seraphine shook her head almost at once. ”No, Dad. I miss them. Besides, you are still dealing with Olivia.”

He conceded with a quiet nod. ”You’re right. Just let me know if you need anything. I’ll gather everyone for the meeting in the conference room.”

The hotel out here in the outlands had nearly every comfort a luxury place in the city could offer, so she simply nodded her thanks and kept eating after Vladimir left.

She was almost finished when a soft little groan came from the bed. ”Mommy? Daddy?”

Seraphine set the spoon down and reached for Esperanza, but the little girl was already pushing herself up, the movement jostling Bryan awake. He blinked blearily, then offered a sleepy greeting to his sister. ”Espe, good morning,” before turning those same soft eyes on Seraphine. ”Good morning, Mom. Where is Dad?”

Seraphine hesitated only a second, trying to figure out which father he meant.

”Are you talking about Ravyn?” Bryan shook his head right away. ”No, I’m talking about Daddy V.”

The way he said it pulled another smile across her face, warm and a little watery. Esperanza climbed down and came straight to her side, Bryan right behind her.

Seraphine told them their dad had gone to take care of some business and that she would help them freshen up before they ate. Both kids agreed without argument, and once they were ready she guided them over to the table.

The second they sat down, though, the two of them looked at the spread of food like it had personally offended them.

”Mom, can you make pancakes for me?” Esperanza asked, not taking delight in what was in front of her.

Bryan nodded too. ”Yes, want pancake too.”

Seraphine eyed the perfectly good meal already sitting there and could already picture most of it going cold and untouched. A soft sigh left her, but she stood up anyway and headed for the door, the kids trailing after her like excited shadows.

”Alright, pancakes it is.”

Their sudden burst of joy made the choice feel right all over again. In the kitchen Esperanza immediately volunteered to help with the batter.

”Mom, I’ll help you with the pancakes.”

Bryan claimed fruit-washing duty right away. ”I wash the fruits.”

Seraphine looked at the two of them, her heart so full it almost ached.

”Alright, let’s make the pancakes together. Who’s cracking the eggs?”

Both kids bounced on their toes, voices overlapping in eager little shouts.

”Me, me!”

They worked side by side, flour dusting the counter and soft laughter filling the space, and Seraphine felt joyful tears sting the corners of her eyes the whole time.

Watching them help, and watching them light up over something so simple, filled a place inside her she had not even realized had gone quiet for so long.

The first batch of pancakes vanished almost the moment they hit the plates. Esperanza carefully cut each one into even pieces and passed a share to her brother with the serious focus of someone performing an important ritual.

After the last of the batter was gone Seraphine thought they might finally be full. Instead, Esperanza looked up with those big blue hopeful eyes.

”Mom, we want more.”

Seraphine could not stop the laugh that escaped her as she started mixing a fresh batch.

She was still stirring when the kitchen door opened and Corvine walked in with Athaliah at his side.

Esperanza and Bryan abandoned the counter at once, racing across the floor and launching themselves into Corvine’s arms like a pair of overexcited little kangaroos. Esperanza planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

”Uncle Corvine, I missed you.”

Bryan tilted his head back, grinning. ”Uncle Corvine, are you leaving again?”

Corvine’s smile was warm and steady. ”No, buddy. We belong to the same pack now, and I couldn’t be happier. I love you both so much.”

The kids erupted in pure delight, voices overlapping in happy noise. Then Esperanza’s gaze drifted to the woman standing beside him.

She studied Athaliah’s face with sudden intensity, eyes narrowing the way they always did when something familiar tugged at her memory.

”Uncle Corvine, who is this beautiful woman?”

She paused, still staring, then added, ”I’ve seen her before.”

Seraphine’s jaw actually dropped. Esperanza was at it again. ”Espe, where did you see her? If you have, then what’s her name?”