Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Seraphine stilled the instant his words settled in, her body going tense for a brief moment before she slowly turned back to face him again, her expression tightening as something more complicated stirred within her.

Zane’s question lingered longer than she wanted it to, pressing against thoughts she usually kept locked away, because the truth was never as simple as she preferred it to be.

Everything he had done, the way he treated women, the pain he left behind without a second thought, it all stood clearly in her mind, and although some of those women had made choices that led them into those situations, it did not justify what he had done to them, and there had always been a quiet part of her, buried beneath discipline and control, that wanted justice on their behalf.

However, none of that had ever come before her profession, and it never would.

Her gaze hardened as it fixed on him, her voice cutting through the space between them with controlled intensity. "I knew from the very moment I walked in there that he was your father because the resemblance was obvious, and it was not something anyone in my position would overlook."

She took a slow step closer, not enough to invade his space but enough to make the weight of her presence more noticeable, her tone dropping just slightly as she continued.

"But unlike you, I have a conscience, and that is something you should be grateful for because it is the only reason I chose to remain professional in that situation."

There was no softness in her delivery, no attempt to ease the sharp edge of her words, as she made it clear that her decision had nothing to do with him and everything to do with who she was.

Without waiting for a response, she turned once more and began to walk away, each step steady and purposeful as she tried to put an end to the conversation entirely.

Before she could create enough distance, his voice came from behind her again, firm enough to make her pause even though she had no intention of entertaining him further.

"Doctor Sera, for what you have done for me, I am willing to return the favor as a way of showing my appreciation."

This time, she stopped not out of obligation but because something in his tone caught her attention, prompting her to turn back again as she studied him more carefully than before, her eyes narrowing slightly as she evaluated the sincerity behind his words.

"Are you certain about that?" she asked, her voice quieter now but carrying a level of scrutiny that made it clear she was already thinking beyond the surface of his offer.

She knew exactly what kind of man Zane was, not just reckless or cruel, but skilled, resourceful, and capable in ways that could either create chaos or be redirected into something useful depending on who guided him, and if she could gain his loyalty while forcing him to deal with the consequences of his past actions, then he could become an asset that would be difficult to replace.

Zane met her gaze without hesitation, his expression serious than before as he responded, "I do not make empty promises, but I need time, because I want to wait until my father has fully recovered and reached a point where he can take care of himself without relying on me."

His voice carried a quiet firmness as he continued, making it clear that this was not something he would compromise on.

"After that, I will do anything you ask of me, and I mean that without exception."

He understood what was at stake, because without Seraphine, his father would not have survived, not with the limitations of human medicine and not with the severity of his condition, and when he first received the news, it felt as though everything around him had collapsed, leaving him with nothing but the realization that the one person who had always been there for him was slipping away.

His father was all he had ever truly relied on, and although he understood that death was something no one could escape forever, he was not ready to face that reality yet, not when he still wanted more time with the man who had given him everything.

Seraphine observed him in silence for a moment, weighing his words and the conviction behind them before she finally spoke again, her tone returning to that calm, controlled state that defined her professionalism.

"You need to understand something clearly, because I do not work with criminals under any circumstances, and if you want this arrangement to happen, then you will have to clean up everything connected to your past without leaving anything behind."

Her eyes held his firmly, making sure he understood the weight of what she was saying.

"That means every trace."

Zane nodded immediately, his agreement coming without hesitation as he responded, "I can do that, as long as you are willing to compensate me properly, provide a decent place for me to stay, and ensure that I have access to a good car."

There was no arrogance in his tone, only a straightforward acknowledgment of his value, as he spoke like someone who understood exactly what he brought to the table.

For Seraphine, those demands were insignificant. "Done," she said without pause, her response immediate and final as if the decision required no thought at all.

However, her expression sharpened slightly as something more strategic settled into her gaze.

"I want you to keep everything on Daisy, because that information will be important to me," she added, making it clear that this was not a suggestion but a requirement.

Zane gave a short nod in response, his acceptance immediate as he said, "Understood, boss."

The title came naturally, as though he had already accepted his position without needing further confirmation.

Seraphine exhaled softly, a small release of tension as she continued, "Corvine will contact you, and you can let him know when you are ready to begin, but I would advise you to take about a week before starting anything."

Although she needed his skills as soon as possible, she was not blind to the fact that his father required his attention more at the moment, and she was not the kind of person who ignored that kind of reality.

Zane’s expression changed slightly with curiosity as he asked, "Beta Corvine works for you as well?"

Seraphine shook her head, her response simple but firm as she said, "No, he is family, and that is all you need to know for now."

There was no intention of explaining further, as she moved to close the conversation.

"We will talk again after your father has fully recovered, and everything you requested will be made available to you by then," she added, making it clear that the arrangement was already set in motion.

Zane allowed a small smile to form, though it carried a trace of regret as he thought back on his earlier behavior, because speaking with Seraphine like this brought him a sense of calm that felt unfamiliar, almost foreign, as though it was something he had never truly experienced before in his life.

Seraphine, however, did not stay long enough to notice the change in him, as her focus had already moved on to everything waiting for her beyond this moment.

However, the moment she reached the gate and saw the figures waiting there, something inside her tightened sharply, the uneasy feeling settling deep in her chest as though warning her that whatever awaited her next was not something she could ignore.