Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Voren froze. The sexual tension disappeared instantly, replaced by cold, sharp fear. His eyes widened, his body going rigid above her. ”How? What happened?”

Seraphine narrated everything, guilt welled up in Voren’s chest, heavy and suffocating. This was exactly what Seraphine wanted to avoid.

”I’m so sorry.” His voice was thick with remorse, broken. ”It’s all my fault. I was careless with my words earlier. I should have been more careful.”

”No.” She cut him off, her voice serious, her hand pressing against his chest. ”I just didn’t want you to get worried. I’m fine now. Really. The babies are fine. I’m fine.”

But Voren could not forgive himself. ”No, you’re only saying that to make me feel better.” He shook his head, his jaw tight. ”We’re in this together, so don’t ever try to keep anything from me. Do you understand? I can’t—I can’t lose you. Either of you.”

Seraphine was reluctant, but he explained further, his voice cracking. ”I’m the one who got you pregnant. I should face the consequences of my actions. Your pain is my pain. Your fear is my fear. That’s how this works.”

”But if it gets too bad, you might not want us to have another pup after this.” Her voice was small, vulnerable, revealing a fear she’d been holding onto, a secret she’d been too afraid to speak aloud.

Voren was lost for words. The weight of her confession hit him like a physical blow. He didn’t know what to say so instead, he reached out and switched off the bedside lamp before pulling Seraphine into his arms.

The darkness swallowed them, but his hold on her was tight, protective, like he was afraid she might slip away. His lips pressed against her forehead. ”I love you,” he whispered into the darkness. ”I love you so much it scares me sometimes.”

Seraphine snuggled closer, her body molding against his. ”I love you too. Always.”

The next day, Seraphine woke up to a mindlink from Liah. ’Sera, you have to help me.’