Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 679: Chapter 679 - You love me. That’s enough for me

Kael had loved deeply once before. It had left scars on his heart that never fully healed, wounds that ached in quiet moments and whispered warnings in the dark.

All he wanted was a she-wolf who would look at him like he was her entire world. Someone who would stand beside him through every storm, who would choose him not out of desperation but out of devotion.

Someone who would love him through the fire and the flood and everything in between.

It made sense that Jasmine was terrified of leaving her pack. Any she-wolf in her position would feel the same. But as a man, he had the advantage.

His mate would either remain here or leave her pack to join his. He would never be the one forced to abandon everything he knew. That privilege belonged to him, and it terrified him.

Still, he wanted to know what the moon goddess had planned for him. Even though loving another when Jasmine already occupied his heart seemed impossible, he needed to know. Needed to prepare himself for whatever fate had in store.

A thousand fears crept into his chest, slithering through his ribs like serpents. What if the mate bond was stronger than the bond of love? What if he was mated to someone else and ended up hurting Jasmine in ways he couldn’t take back?

No. He couldn’t let those thoughts take root. Couldn’t let them poison what little hope remained.

”This is the first Blood Moon Festival in a decade.” His voice came out steady, though his heart was anything but. ”It’s also a time of restoration for the mate bond. Jasmine, can we not trust the moon goddess?”

A smile curved her lips, fragile and genuine. It trembled at the edges, like it might shatter at any moment, but it was real. ”You love me. That’s enough for me.”

She meant it. If they both ended up mated to someone else, at least she wouldn’t be alone in her pain. At least he would understand. That knowledge was enough to carry her through.

”I still have some time to prep myself for the interview.” She stepped back, putting distance between them. The warmth of his arms lingered on her skin like a phantom embrace. ”I should leave now.”

Knowing Corvine, he wouldn’t just make things easy for her because she was Espe and Bryan’s nanny. He would push her, test her, demand more than he would from anyone else. She had to be ready.

Kael pulled away slightly, his eyes traveling over her form. She was calmer now, the storm in her eyes quieted to a gentle ripple. That was good. That was what he needed to see.

”I’ll walk you to your suite then.”

They stepped out of the office together, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. The elevator doors slid shut just as they turned the corner.

”Who was that?” Jasmine’s voice carried a thread of worry.

Kael’s brow furrowed, his gaze fixed on the closed doors. ”Might be Damon. Or a pack member.”

---

Inside the elevator, Seraphine laughed, the sound bright and warm. ”We were supposed to go to the office, and yet you pressed the number to our suite.”

Voren shrugged, unrepentant. He had allowed them to reach their floor before changing the number back to the office level. ”They would’ve been uneasy if they saw us.”

When the doors opened on the office floor, the corridor was empty. Kael and Jasmine had already disappeared. They walked toward their office, the silence comfortable and familiar.

Seraphine broke it first. ”You want them together. So why not help them?”

It was a fair question. Everyone wanted the restoration of the mate bond. Everyone wanted the ancient magic to flow through the packs once more. But they also wanted the partners they had already fallen in love with. Hearts had become entangled.

It was clear that the restoration of the mate bond was meant for the next generation. This generation was only there to pave the way, to lay the foundation for something greater. Their hearts were already claimed.

”You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped, Sera.” Voren’s voice carried the weight of resignation. ”Kael looked hurt when he told me about the conversation he overheard between Jasmine and the other girls. I could’ve helped if he still wanted her. But from everything we heard, he doesn’t.”

He paused, his jaw tightening. ”And yet, he doesn’t want to hurt her.”

Seraphine shook her head, frustration flickering across her features. ”I don’t get it. You did it for Corvine. So why not Kael?”

”Sera.”

Voren’s voice trailed off as his gaze landed on the new office. His breath caught in his chest.

The space was magnificent.

Two executive desks dominated the room, their surfaces polished to a mirror shine. Luxury swivel chairs sat behind each one, upholstered in rich leather.

A mini conference room branched off to the side, its glass walls offering privacy without sacrificing light. A sitting area occupied one corner, furnished with plush sofas and low tables, perfect for relaxing or holding informal meetings.

There was even a small kitchen, sleek and modern, and a small bedroom tucked away behind a discreet door.

”You had an extension done?”

”It was in the original plan.” Seraphine’s voice carried a hint of amusement. ”Which made me think you always had it in mind to be the king.”

Voren shook his head, a wistful smile touching his lips. ”No. I wanted to prepare this office for you. You’re the one I had in mind.”

Seraphine’s heart warmed with his thoughtful words. His gaze drifted to the window, to the sprawling pack lands beyond. ”As for the crown, I wasn’t interested in the beginning. Not until I realized its power could destroy us if it fell into the wrong hands.”

He turned back to her, his expression earnest. ”Honestly, if Corvine hadn’t shown interest in Liah, I would’ve let it go. Dared the outcome. But when he showed interest in her, I made it my mission to help him in every way.”

His voice softened, tinged with something like regret. ”It’s not the same for Kael and Jasmine.”

He paused, letting the words settle between them. ”Think about it. Does Jasmine really love Kael? Or is she only determined not to leave this pack?”