Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 685: Chapter 685 - Those Alphas want Voren’s blood. How are you going to handle it?

The shaman spoke this time, her voice carried across the room like the echo of distant thunder.

”Voren has informed me about this arrangement.” Her gaze swept the faces before him, calm and unwavering. ”Yes, it’s risky. But even I am looking for them.”

Murmurs rippled through the room, but no one dared interrupt. ”At least one of them was responsible for our queen’s memory loss.” Her voice hardened, the edges sharpening like flint against steel. ”So yes, we shall take the risk to nab them in the act. Everyone who hurt our queen has to pay. She has suffered too long and deserves all the happiness in the world.”

Seraphine’s eyes glistened. Joyful tears welled up, catching the light like scattered diamonds. She blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall, but the warmth spreading through her chest was impossible to contain.

Oriana leaned forward, her voice joining the shaman’s with quiet ferocity. ”Indeed. That move delayed my awakening.” Her hands curled into fists on the table, knuckles bleaching white. ”Had she come earlier, that bitch Olivia would have been exposed.”

Her gaze found Seraphine, softening with something that looked almost like reverence.

”Sera was the key to my awakening. And now, I’m her mother too.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Everyone understood. Everyone except Sloane, who sat slightly apart, her brow furrowed with confusion.

Voren noticed. His voice came out gentle, patient, the voice of a leader who understood that new members needed guidance, not judgment.

”Sloane, you’re the new addition to the leaders, so there are things you aren’t aware of.” He leaned back in his chair, his expression open. ”Initially, we wanted to inform the whole pack. But I felt they might be scared.”

He explained everything. Olivia’s treachery. The truth spilled out like water from a cracked vessel, and Sloane absorbed it all, her eyes widening with each revelation.

When he finished, she lowered her head, shame coloring her cheeks. ”Thank you for explaining it to me. I’m very sorry to bring it up.”

”No.” Voren’s voice was firm, but kind. ”You have every right to ask questions when you don’t understand. Everyone here is helpful.”

Sloane nodded, but she wasn’t finished. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, a nervous habit she couldn’t quite control. ”In that case, can I ask a last question?”

”Go ahead.” Voren’s gaze remained steady, encouraging.

She cleared her throat, forcing the words out. ”It’s about the recruitment for leadership. Supposing the mate bond forces any of the leaders to move to another pack, does another leader get promoted automatically? Or is there going to be a need for another contest?”

The office went quiet. The question hung in the air, sharp and relevant in ways no one wanted to acknowledge.

Corvine spoke first. His voice carried the weight of an Alpha who had already considered every angle. ”I’ve thought about that. It will depend on who is available.”

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

”For instance, Faye did very well in all rounds of training but wasn’t chosen. Someone like her wouldn’t go through the process all over again if there’s an open position for a gamma. We can just rope her in. I already made her aware after the interview.”

He paused, his expression growing serious. ”If it’s a case of an Alpha position, then only the King and Queen can decide on what to do.”

---

After the meeting ended, Voren’s hand shot out, catching Corvine’s arm before he could slip away. ”Corvine. I’d like a word.”

Everyone filed out, including Seraphine. The door clicked shut behind her, and Voren immediately pulled Corvine into a corner, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

”Hey. You’re my wife’s big brother and my kid brother.” His eyes darted toward the door, as if Seraphine might somehow hear him through the wood. ”Can you get from her the plans on how she intends to handle the matter of the Alpha Code?”

The corner of Corvine’s lips twitched, amusement flickering in his eyes. ”Voren, that will be hard. You know your wife.”

”That’s why I’m counting on you.” Desperation crept into Voren’s voice, raw and unguarded. ”I just have to make sure she doesn’t risk hers or the lives of the pups in any of it.”

At the mention of life, Corvine’s expression changed. The amusement faded, replaced by something heavier. Thoughtful. He considered for a long moment, then inclined his head. ”I’ll try.”

Voren exhaled, relief flooding through him. ”Can you do it by tomorrow? You can use the company or anything to have a meeting with her and slip it in.”

Corvine smiled, a slow, calculating thing. ”I think I have an idea. Our members from the city have requested to arrive tomorrow, and my parents want to join the pack too. I’ll speak with her.”

”I knew I could trust you.” A satisfied smile curved Voren’s lips.

---

That night, Voren did not forget to take advantage of his wife’s permission.

He made love to her in the gentlest way, every touch reverent, every kiss a whispered promise. His hands traced the curves of her body like he was memorizing her, worshipping her, afraid she might disappear if he held on too tight.

Seraphine’s response confirmed everything he needed to know. She wanted this. Wanted him. Her body arched beneath his, her fingers digging into his shoulders, her breath coming in soft, broken gasps that drove him to the edge of madness.

By the time he was done, she was a trembling mess in his arms, her cheeks flushed from satisfied sex, her eyes half-lidded with pleasure.

”Thank you,” she murmured, her voice thick and drowsy.

She snuggled into him, her head finding the hollow of his shoulder, her body fitting against his like a missing piece. Voren smiled, his arm wrapping around her, pulling her closer.

He should be the one thanking her.

---

The next day, Voren rose early for training.

Seraphine didn’t trade. Didn’t take on any hacking jobs. Instead, she spent the day at the hospital and the lab, ensuring everyone was in good health to attend the Blood Moon Festival.

No one would be working that day, but should there be injuries, doctors and nurses would have to make themselves available.

Voren had allowed Corvine to handle pack training even when he was present. But after it was over, Voren took over the leaders’ training himself. Every leader with the exception of Seraphine was present, pushing their bodies to the limit under his watchful eye.

Corvine didn’t return to his suite to shower.

Instead, he made his way to the lab, his footsteps echoing against the stone floor. When he found Seraphine there, hunched over a microscope, he paused in the doorway.

”Corvine.” She removed her goggles, surprise flickering across her features. ”What brings you here?”

He smiled, stepping inside. ”I wanted to inform you that our pack members in the city will be arriving today. I already sent them a chopper and had the deputy CEO inform HR to give them a week’s leave. I told her it was for the planned vacation in their appointment letters.”

Seraphine smiled, warmth softening her features. ”You didn’t have to tell me that.”

”Well, you’re still my boss and queen.” He walked toward her, his gaze landing on the transparent liquids arranged before her. ”What are all these?”

She shrugged, a hint of mischief in her eyes. ”You won’t understand even if I tell you.”

Corvine smirked, but his expression changed, growing more serious. He leaned against the counter, studying her with the kind of focus that came from years of reading people.

”Alright. I’ll take my leave now.” He paused, his voice dropping. ”But I’m curious. Those Alphas want Voren’s blood. How are you going to handle it?”

Seraphine’s hands stilled over the equipment. ”Do you need my help?”

His question was tactical, carefully worded, designed to slip past her defenses. And the look in his eyes said he knew exactly what he was doing.