Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 599: Chapter 599 - I want peace

Last night had been a torture of its own kind. Voren had tossed and turned, worry settling across his chest like a stone slab, crushing the air from his lungs.

Even after ending the call with Ravyn, the unease hadn’t faded. His thumb had found Uncle Humphrey’s contact without conscious thought, and the man had answered on the first ring, as if he’d been waiting.

”Voren, is everything alright?” The familiar warmth in Humphrey’s voice did little to ease the tension coiling in Voren’s gut. ”Have you returned to the pack?”

”No, Uncle Humphrey.” Voren raked a hand through his hair, the strands catching on his calloused fingers. ”Truth be told, I’ve been very lenient with Ravyn because of you and Aunt Kylie. But it’s reaching a point where I wouldn’t mind taking him out permanently.”

A sad sigh whispered through the speaker, heavy with resignation. Humphrey’s voice came slow and measured. ”Please tell me what he did this time.”

Voren laid it all out, the phone call, the accusations, Coco’s interference, the clumsy, desperate way Ravyn had tried to claim a child he had ordered to be killed. By the time he finished, the elderly man on the other end had gone completely silent.

When Humphrey finally spoke, each word landed with the weight of finality. ”Voren, Ravyn wouldn’t be able to fight or win against you if he has nothing. I’ll give him my last warning. And if he insists on pursuing this matter, I’ll make either of his friends the Alpha.”

He paused briefly before adding, ”But to be honest, I wanted to give that position to Corvine. He’s the only one who won’t kowtow to Ravyn if he regrets losing his title and wants it back.”

Everyone knew that Ravyn only valued the things he lost. As long as something was firmly within his grasp, he saw no value in it.

Voren stiffened, his spine snapping straight. ”Have you told Corvine about it?”

”No. But when you were all having your side of the fun at the full moon festival, we elders were having ours.” Humphrey’s voice grew contemplative. ”I spoke with Desmond. He confessed to giving up his Alpha title at the Nightshade pack for his wife.”

Something cold slithered down Voren’s spine. He didn’t like where this was heading.

After receiving that information from the outlanders, he’d made a deliberate choice not to tell Corvine yet, not for selfish reasons, but to build the man’s confidence without him knowing the truth of his own bloodline. It was a delicate balance, and one wrong move could shatter everything.

”Uncle Humphrey, have you ever wondered why I willingly shared my title with Corvine? Why I allowed him to contest for the princess’s hand?”

”No,” Humphrey admitted, genuine curiosity bleeding through his voice.

Voren leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. ”That’s because I’m looking at the future. I’ve sacrificed so much, Uncle Humphrey. I’ve never enjoyed my life.”

His throat tightened. ”I’m married, and yet I haven’t even properly enjoyed my wife. I want peace. That’s why I want the crown at the Grimroot pack. Corvine is the only one I can trust not to betray me. And if things work as planned, we can take turns managing the pack, our businesses, and structured vacations.”

He let that sink in before continuing. ”But before any of this can happen, there has to be peace. Some Alphas have to go. It’s the only way to unite the packs against the Lycans when the time comes.”

Humphrey fell silent, processing. When he spoke again, his voice carried a note of genuine awe. ”I’ve always respected you, known you to be smart. But after this conversation, I realize you’re everything none of us have ever been.” He cleared his throat.

”Speaking of the Lycans, I gathered some information during the full moon festival. King Jaron seems to have very strong ties with them. I’m almost certain he might be a tool against his own kind.”

Voren’s lips curved upward, though the smile never reached his eyes. ”Don’t worry. I have eyes on the Alpha King. But the most important thing is getting the crown away from him, even if he was the one who stole it from the Lycans.”

He paused, his expression softening. ”Though I have everything planned, I also don’t want to force Corvine to give up great opportunities for me. He’s an asset, but I also want him to pursue his own dreams.”

A sigh of relief escaped Humphrey. Even before making Ravyn the Alpha, he’d thought of Corvine, back when he’d had no idea the young man already carried Alpha blood in his veins.

”I’ll call him and get back to you.”

”I’ll be waiting.” Voren ended the call and set the phone aside, his mind still churning.

He made his way to the next bedroom, stepping through the doorway on silent feet. His gaze found Esperanza’s sleeping form, and something in his chest cracked open.

He loved this girl so fiercely, so completely, that the thought of anyone taking her from him sent ice racing through his veins.

He gathered her small body into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She didn’t stir, only nestled deeper into his warmth, her tiny fingers curling into his shirt. He turned toward the door, but before he could take a step, a small voice cut through the quiet.

”Dad, where are you taking Espe?”

He glanced over his shoulder to find Bryan rubbing his eyes, his hair adorably mussed from sleep. Voren’s expression softened. ”Come.”

Bryan padded over on bare feet, his pajamas bunched around his ankles. As soon as Voren lowered Esperanza onto the bed, the boy naturally curled up beside her, his arm draping protectively over her small back.

Voren watched them for a long moment, a bittersweet ache blooming in his chest. The boy was already so protective of his sister.

His phone buzzed against the nightstand, and Humphrey’s name flashed across the screen. He snatched it up, stepping away from the bed before answering.

”Uncle Humphrey.” His voice dropped low. ”What did he say?”