Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

”You all can continue to enjoy the party.” Voren’s voice cut through the murmurs. ”But my queen and I will take an early leave.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping the hall one final time.

”The pack gallery will be opened. Rare stones are on display, but none for sale. You can only watch for entertainment’s sake and must not touch anything.”

”Does it include the crown?” Jane, the friend of Candy, spoke up. Her voice was casual, but her eyes gleamed with something hungry, something predatory.

The corner of Voren’s lips twitched. But nobody saw it.

”Yes. Ancient jewelry is all on display. You can have a look, but no pictures should be taken. They are treasures of the Grimroot pack.”

That was Ravyn’s cue. He turned to Candy, his expression carefully blank. ”I will go use the restroom.”

---

Seraphine left with Voren, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors as they made their way to their suite.

The distant hum of the celebration faded behind them, swallowed by the quiet of the private wing. She wanted to rest for a while. Just long enough to gather herself before the real show began. The night was far from over, and the trap they had set was waiting to spring.

But Voren had other plans. ”You cleaned up my mess without blood.”

His voice was low, intimate, curling around her like smoke. His fingers found the clasp of her royal attire, easing the heavy fabric from her shoulders. It pooled at her feet like liquid gold, leaving her bare before him.

He removed his own clothes with practiced efficiency, each piece falling away until there was nothing between them but heat and hunger and the weight of everything unspoken. ”Babe, you amaze me.”

Seraphine smiled, the expression soft and knowing. ”You know what they say. Love can make a woman a fool.”

She stepped closer, her hands finding his chest, her palms pressing flat against the warm skin over his heart.

”I was a fool for the wrong person once.” Her voice dropped, heavy with old pain. ”This time, I fell in love with the right person. And I will do anything for you, Voren.”

Voren pulled her close, her head resting against his chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat filled her ears, grounding her, anchoring her to this moment.

”It feels like a dream whenever I hold you like this.” His voice was rough, thick with emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. ”I love you, babe. You have no idea.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his arms tightening around her.

”Honestly, I was ready to take whatever punishment out there for you. I don’t have the right words to explain it.”

Seraphine pulled away, her gaze finding his. She stared into his eyes, searching, reading, understanding. His love for her was pure. Unwavering. The kind of love that poets wrote about and fools died for.

”I can’t wait to feel the mate bond with you.”

”Neither can I.”

Voren took her lips, the kiss passionate and consuming, a collision of hunger and devotion. His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until she was breathless.

Then Seraphine pulled away.

Her brow furrowed, her expression drifting from desire to something sharper. Something cautious.

”About Ravyn.” Her voice was steady, but her eyes searched his. ”Are you sure the plan will work?”