Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 681: Chapter 681 – Preparations for the Blood Moon Festival

”Please sit.”

Damon gestured to the chair across from his desk. Only after Voren settled into it did Damon lower himself back into his own seat, the leather creaking beneath his weight.

His tone carried a weight of resignation, but his words rang with honesty. ”It’s not like I’ve never fallen in love before.”

Voren remained silent, his expression unreadable, encouraging without pushing.

”I left the Centenary pack very young because of Sera. I saw someone I liked in New York but we were from different worlds’ so I never pursued her.” Damon’s gaze drifted to the window, lost in memory. ”When Sera finally divorced Ravyn, I thought I had a chance. But she made it clear she’d never see me like that.” A rueful smile tugged at his lips. ”So I accepted my fate.”

He paused, his fingers drumming against the armrest. ”The next woman I loved at first sight was the princess.”

Voren’s brow lifted, surprise flickering across his features.

”But Corvine was so fast.” Damon pursed his lips, not surprised by the stunned look in Voren’s eyes. ”Honestly, I wanted to wait until after the full moon festival to start my advances. I was busy with the responsibilities of being host. The next thing I knew, Corvine’s interest in the princess was everywhere, and she had already given him her heart.”

A heavy sigh escaped him. ”I honestly have to learn from him. Because you?” He shook his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. ”You aren’t good at that.”

Voren wanted to laugh, but the man was dead serious, so his expression remained stern. ”What do you mean I’m not good at that?”

Damon stared at him, disbelief etched across his face. ”Come on. Even when it was crystal clear that you were in love with Sera, you kept denying it. And guess what? You loved her since you were kids.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping with emphasis. ”To me, you’re the slowest at the game of love. When it comes to power, strength, leadership, and authority, you’ll always be number one. But with matters of the heart?” A dry chuckle escaped him. ”Taking your train would make me arrive eight years late.”

Voren couldn’t argue, amused by Damon’s words. The man had a point.

”I’ll have Corvine coach me on how he won the heart of a princess so quickly.”

Damon had a point, and Voren vehemently agreed. No one had expected Corvine to make such fast progress, but he had surprised them all.

”I’m glad to have this conversation with you.” Voren’s voice softened, carrying a note of genuine warmth. ”It’s good that you aren’t as uninterested in love matters as I thought. You just haven’t found your match. And you want to learn from Corvine so another man won’t snatch the next woman you have eyes on.”

Damon lowered his head, a flush creeping up his neck. ”I have another secret.”

Voren raised a brow, urging him on without a word. ”I thought the redhead was also cute.” Damon’s voice dropped, almost sheepish. ”But she’s been trying to get Kael’s attention a lot. I think Kael likes her too, so I’m not going to make a move.”

He exhaled heavily, shoulders slumping. ”Right now, I feel like a hopeless romantic. So please don’t ask about my love life unless you have a recommendation.”

A recommendation? Voren had none. ”There are lots of beautiful single she-wolves in this pack.” His voice carried the weight of a leader who saw the bigger picture. ”I’d love for any of them to be mated to you rather than losing them to other packs. Just look closely.”

Damon nodded slowly. ”I agree. But let me ask this.” His gaze sharpened, cutting through the lightness of the moment. ”What if my mate turns out to be a human? Will you permit it? Will I be cast out of the pack like the old tradition says?”

Voren didn’t answer directly. The question hung in the air, heavy with implications neither of them was ready to address.

”I think we should all review the new constitution together.” He rose from his chair, his tone hardening back to business. ”If you aren’t too busy, we can leave now.”

Damon set aside his work and followed Voren to his office. He never expected it to be a full house.

”This meeting should have been held in the conference room, but I intend to make it quick.”

Voren took his seat at the head of the table. His wife had rearranged things, moving all the chairs to the mini conference table to make room for everyone. Vladimir, Oriana, the shaman, Corvine, Liah, Kael, Jasmine, and one other girl, Sloane, were there in addition to four pack elders.

The room hummed with quiet tension, the weight of unspoken concerns pressing against the walls.

”Thank you all for coming within such a short time.” Voren’s voice carried across the room, steady and commanding. ”The Blood Moon Festival is in three days, so we have to put things in place.”

He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle.

”Firstly, the coronation of our new leaders. Alpha Corvine, Luna Thaliah, Beta Damon, Gamma Jasmine, and Gamma Sloane.”

If the two gammas were there, then it meant Corvine had already made his decision and the interviews had gone well. Voren continued, his gaze sweeping the room.

”We can all attest to the unique changes that have befallen our pack in recent times. There’s a need to adjust the constitution to suit those changes and to also give light to the future.”

His attention drifted to the elder pair seated near the window. ”Alpha Vladimir, Luna Oriana, do you have any objection to amendments to the constitution?”

Vladimir looked at his wife. The two shared a silent exchange, a conversation conducted in the language of decades spent together. Then they shook their heads.

”No.”

”Then my elders.” Voren’s gaze moved to the four middle-aged men seated along the wall. ”Do you have an objection?”