Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 8 – I Still Remember

From the side of the sitting room, Corvine watched in silence, momentarily forgotten as the moment unfolded before him.

He had met Ravyn’s parents several times over the years, had shared formal dinners and exchanged polite conversations, but nothing had prepared him for this.

The way they looked at Seraphine, soft-eyed, reverent, almost fearful of losing her, was not how one regarded a former daughter-in-law. It was how one clung to family.

Their affection for her was pure, unguarded, untainted by pride or pack politics. Corvine felt an unexpected tightness in his chest as he studied Seraphine’s face.

There was a glow there, quiet, fragile, real that he had never once seen during her years as Luna of the Centenary Pack.

Back then, she had carried herself with discipline and restraint, always composed, always careful. Here, in this modest house filled with warmth instead of hierarchy, she looked like herself.

"I’m sorry, Mom... Dad," Seraphine said at last, her voice steady despite the weight behind it. The tired lines on their faces did not go unnoticed but Seraphine was honest in her request.

"But I have to take care of myself from now on. I need to build something of my own. I’ll stay here until the divorce is finalized, but I can’t keep living under the shadow of the Centenary Pack."

Every word was chosen with care. Her tone was gentle, respectful, but nothing could soften the blow. The pain rippled instantly through the room, settling deep into the faces of the elderly couple.

Kylie turned away first, pressing her fingers to her eyes as a single tear escaped. She had fought fate, tradition, and opposition to bring Seraphine and her only son together.

Ravyn, that proximity would turn

presence had been enough to mislead them all. Kylie had mistaken indifference for affection, patience for promise. Now the truth stood bare and

Worse, he had hated her enough to sever every

cruelty like that, denial was no longer mercy. Acceptance, painful as it was, became

you from the moment I first laid eyes on you," Kylie said, remembering

girl, always running into Ravyn’s room, always announcing to anyone who would

never imagined that while all of this was happening, he had already

me, I was mortified. I knew you would leave

an old wound that refused to close, but she had

alive. That knowledge, fragile as it was,

child now would love her fiercely. That her daughter would be

want to rebuild my life, the career I’ve always dreamed of. I want peace in the

little hope remained, but Kylie straightened

take my life savings," she said

it would be by her own hands. Not pity,

had a way of twisting generosity into obligation, of turning kindness into chains when they did not understand the path taken

refused to owe anyone her future, even those she loved.

prodigy, yes, but