Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

On the other end of the call, Seraphine’s expression tightened just slightly, the reaction so subtle it barely registered on her face, but inside, irritation had already started building, slow and heavy, pressing against her ribs like something she didn’t want to deal with today.

The only reason Ravyn even had her new number was because of Bryan’s condition and that had been strictly professional, clean boundaries, no emotional ties, no room for anything personal, which made this call feel even more out of line.

And now he had the nerve to ask her for help? The audacity of it almost made her laugh. "Ravyn, I think you are talking to the wrong person."

Her voice came out calm, cool, almost distant, like she had already stepped away from the conversation even though the call was still active.

On the other side, Ravyn swallowed hard, the tension in his throat obvious even through the phone, because he never imagined things between them would end up like this, never imagined that one day he’d have to measure his words around her, unsure of where he stood.

"Sera, there has been a chemical explosion."

The words hit, and everything inside her went still.

For a second, her surroundings faded, the office, the soft hum of electronics, the quiet buzz of the city outside the glass windows, all of it dimmed as her mind dragged her straight back into a memory she had never fully escaped.

The explosion at the pack that left her paralyzed whiles Ravyn left her to rot in that bed, as he went about parading his mistress. Now he needed her?

Her fingers curled tighter around her phone, but she didn’t say anything, not right away, and Ravyn mistook that silence for permission.

"I’m investigating the matter, but those injured are showing no signs of recovery, getting worse by the day."

A scoff slipped out of her before she could stop it, sharp and laced with disbelief.

"So what has that got to do with me? Aren’t you the Alpha?"

Her brows pulled together as her thoughts pushed forward, dragging up everything else tied to his name.

"Oh, I remember you have a Luna who has medical skills. Why are you reaching out to me?"

The sarcasm landed hard, and on the other end, Ravyn’s jaw clenched so tightly it ached, because this wasn’t the woman he remembered.

She used to be steady, composed, someone who listened carefully, someone who waited, someone who cared about what he said.

Now, she sounded untouchable, like every door had been locked and there was no way back in. "Daisy is traumatized. She can’t focus. Besides, she’s under pack arrest."

He thought Seraphine would take interest in Daisy’s situation and ask why but what met his ears was silence, right before Seraphine laughed.

There was nothing soft about it, nothing warm, just disbelief sharpened into something that cut clean.

"And you think I’ll leave everything behind to come and help your pack? The same people who stood with Daisy when she embarrassed me? called me an attention seeker without dignity?"

The words came out fast, but behind them sat something heavier, something that hadn’t faded no matter how much time had passed. The memory rose up clear as day.

The training field behind the pack house, dust in the air, eyes everywhere, watching, judging. Daisy standing there, insecure and threatened, turning her embarrassment into a performance, twisting the moment just enough to make Seraphine look pathetic in front of everyone.

And Ravyn had been right there. He saw everything, and still, he said nothing.

Worse than that, he sent Corvine to her later with divorce papers, like it was just business, like her humiliation didn’t matter, like she could either sign and walk away or pretend it never happened.

The entire pack followed Daisy without hesitation, backing her, supporting her, turning their backs on Seraphine like she had never been their Luna at all.

And now, he expected her to help them? "I think you lack brains, Ravyn. Don’t call me again."

Her voice dropped at the end, quieter but far colder, and before he could respond, she ended the call and blocked his number without hesitation.

The silence that followed pressed in around her.

Her chest tightened, a dull ache spreading through it, threatening to crack something open, and for a brief moment, tears threatened to rise, sharp and unexpected.

But she forced them back. She wasn’t that woman anymore, no longer the Luna they broke.

"Sera, I haven’t gotten a response about the re..."

Corvine’s voice cut through the silence, but it faded quickly when he caught sight of her expression, the tension in her face impossible to miss now.

"What happened?"

Concern replaced his earlier focus as he stepped closer, and Seraphine let out a slow breath before explaining everything, keeping her tone steady even though the weight of the call still lingered.

By the time she finished, Corvine had already moved behind her chair, his hands settling on her shoulders as he started to massage the tension out, firm and steady, grounding her without saying too much.

"You got this, Sera. Don’t let him upset you."

The warmth of his touch spread through her, easing the tightness in her muscles, helping her breathe a little easier. Her voice softened, genuine this time, the earlier edge fading just enough.

"Thank you, Corvine. I’m so glad you are here." Seraphine pressed her hand against his, as she lifted her gaze to meet his.

They eased back into work not long after, the conversation turning toward the upcoming launch, the change in topic helping her put distance between herself and everything Ravyn had stirred up.

"I’m thinking of an after gift for all investors. A package containing a software that gives them the chance to monitor the subscribers at every point."

Corvine considered it, his expression thoughtful. "Won’t Voren be upset?"

Seraphine shook her head, confidence settling back into place. "This is for all investors."

That was enough for him. "Then let’s do it. Zane can put the software together."

Seraphine nodded, already about to add something else when her phone lit up again.

She glanced down, and this time, her expression softened almost instantly, a small smile forming as warmth replaced the tension from earlier.

"It’s dad, I have to take it."

Corvine studied her for a second, something cautious slipping into his tone.

"Are you sure it isn’t about Ravyn?" And just like that, her smile froze.