Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Corvine hadn’t been wrong.

The moment Seraphine picked up the call, Humphrey didn’t waste time circling around the issue or pretending it was anything else. His voice came through heavy with sincerity, carrying regret.

"Sera... I’m sorry," he said, the apology quiet but honest. "I shouldn’t be calling you about Ravyn."

Seraphine didn’t need an explanation. She already knew where this was going, and just the thought of it stirred something bitter in her chest, something she had worked hard to bury.

"You want me to help him?" she asked, her tone calm, but there was an edge beneath it, sharp, restrained, but unmistakable.

It wasn’t just about Ravyn, but everything tied to him.

Humphrey let out a slow breath on the other end. "I only agreed to ask because this concerns the pack," he said carefully. "But I made it clear to him—he’ll have to pay. And whatever conditions you set... he has to accept them."

That part made her pause, and something stirred inside her, subtle but real, like warmth seeping into a place that had been cold for too long.

Of course, Humphrey wouldn’t make this easy for Ravyn. "If you don’t mind," Seraphine said after a moment, her tone softening slightly as she gathered her thoughts, "I’ll call you back."

"I’ll be waiting," Humphrey replied.

The line went silent, as Seraphine lowered the phone slowly before turning to Corvine, her expression thoughtful, conflicted in a way she couldn’t completely hide.

"I can’t refuse him," she admitted quietly. "He’s... he’s my father now."

There was a pause before she added, more firmly, "But if I’m going to help, there have to be conditions."

Her eyes met Corvine’s. "What do we demand from Ravyn?"

Corvine didn’t answer right away. Instead, he went still, his expression thoughtful as something important surfaced in his mind.

"Sera..." he said slowly, his tone careful, "your cycle is coming up."

She blinked, caught off guard, a faint flush creeping into her face before she could stop it.

"It should be a day or two after the launch," he added gently.

Seraphine stared at him for a second, both surprised and a little embarrassed. She hadn’t even been keeping track herself but somehow, he had. Carefully. Quietly.

"I hate seeing you in pain," Corvine continued, his voice softening. "At least this time... you could skip it."

She exhaled slowly, her expression calm as something deeper surfaced beneath the embarrassment.

"I miss my wolf," she admitted. "Marsha... it’s been too long."

Then she glanced at him again, a small, incredulous smile tugging at her lips. "But I still can’t believe you’ve been tracking my dates like that."

Corvine smiled faintly, almost shy, though there was something else beneath it, something he didn’t let show.

"It matters," he said simply. "Watching over you matters."

He hesitated for just a fraction of a second before adding lightly, "Like a big brother should."

The words were easy, hiding everything he didn’t say about his feelings for her.

Seraphine was filled with warmth. "Thank you... big brother."

For a moment, the air between them felt lighter, safe, and familiar but it didn’t last long before reality settled back in.

Her expression sharpened slightly as she refocused. "But I’m not doing this for free," she said, her tone firm again. "And I’m definitely not staying in that pack house."

Corvine nodded immediately. "Then we’ll have Damon handle the arrangements," he said, thinking it through. "You’re not going without me, right?"

For a second, Seraphine hesitated because she wanted to say yes, wanted the comfort of knowing he’d be there, but then...

"MindNest," she said quietly, the single word carrying more weight than it sounded.

Her gaze roamed over his features, thoughtful now. "Once the launch happens, everything’s going to get intense. It’s too soon for you to step away."

Corvine’s expression dimmed slightly, disappointment flickering through before he masked it.

"Are you sure you’ll be okay with Damon?" he asked, concern slipping through despite his confidence in her. "You know how unpredictable Daisy can be."

Seraphine let out a small, reassuring smile.

"You’re acting like I’m moving back there," she said lightly. "I’ll only stay for four days. Just enough to get through my cycle..."

Her voice softened slightly as she added, almost to herself, "And see Marsha again."

Then her expression hardened with quiet purpose. "After that, I’ll produce the cure, and look into what really happened that night."

That night.

The words hung between them, heavy and unresolved. For Corvine, that was enough, more than enough.

Because if there was even the slightest proof, anything at all that Ravyn had forced himself on her, it would be enough for the council to sentence him to a few years behind bars.

And during that time, Damon could take over the pack and Seraphine, would have the freedom to visit whenever she wanted.

"I hope you find what you’re looking for," Corvine said, his voice steady, though his thoughts were anything but.

Seraphine nodded faintly before picking up her phone again and dialing Humphrey’s number.

This time, there was no hesitation in her voice. "Dad, I’ve made my decision," she said as soon as he answered.

She paused briefly, organizing her thoughts before continuing. "I heard Ravyn has a new Beta," she said. "I want him in charge of my accommodation, and everything I’ll need while I’m there."

Another pause. "I have a launch in two days. After that, I’ll make the trip. But during my stay..." her tone sharpened slightly, "Daisy is not to come anywhere near me."

She didn’t leave room for negotiation. "And his Beta will handle all my arrangements. As for payment..." she exhaled lightly, her voice leveling out again, "I won’t overcharge. I’ll send the bill after the work is done."

On the other end, a long breath of relief escaped Humphrey, almost audible through the line. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Thank you, Sera," he said sincerely. "Do you want the Beta to pick you up? I don’t like the idea of you traveling alone."

"That works," she agreed easily. In truth, it gave her something else. Time to talk to Damon, to plan properly before stepping back into that place.

But then her tone firmed up. "Make one thing clear to Ravyn," she added. "I don’t want to see him, not even a glance."

"You have my word," Humphrey replied without hesitation.

The call ended shortly after, and when Humphrey relayed everything to Ravyn, the words that followed were enough to make Humphrey’s expression darken instantly, his grip tightening around the phone as anger flared so sharply it felt like he might actually reach through the line and slap some sense into his son.