Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 22 – Don’t even try

"Marjorie Steward."

Seraphine’s voice was calm, stripped of warmth, as she settled into the leather chair directly opposite Ravyn.

Her posture was composed, almost relaxed, but her eyes were empty, hard, distant, nothing like the woman he remembered.

On either side of her stood two men in dark suits, silent and alert, their presence unmistakably protective. They didn’t look like assistants. They looked like men trained to intervene if necessary.

Maddox glanced between them, brow creasing. "You two know each other?" he asked, genuine confusion coloring his tone.

No one answered. The silence pressed down heavily, thick enough that Ravyn felt it lodge in his chest. His shock was immediate, and sharp. For a brief second, his composure cracked.

"No," he said finally, shaking his head once as if dismissing the entire situation. "Sadly, Daisy is injured, so I have to leave. I don’t have time for this."

He rose from his seat, irritation rolling off him in waves. But before he could take more than a step, Corvine moved, positioning himself squarely in Ravyn’s path.

"I’m sorry, Ravyn," Corvine said evenly, his voice polite but firm, "but you need to sign the documents before you go."

The way Corvine addressed him by name, without title or deference, sent something dark stirring behind Ravyn’s eyes. Once upon a time, that tone alone would have been unthinkable.

But this wasn’t the pack, and they weren’t alone. More importantly, they weren’t on sacred ground.𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Ravyn could feel the absence of the invisible current that usually answered his call. The city obeyed different laws, and the gravity here was heavier, duller, resistant. His Alpha authority had no reach in this place.

all human, and in a fight Ravyn would have

onto Seraphine. Confusion and suspicion darkened his expression. "What proof do you

didn’t respond. Instead, she

on the table. "Here is her identification documents. Marjorie Steward is not a registered legal name. As you can see, the additional paperwork states that the client requested anonymity. Her real identity is known only to us, but these

flipped through the papers. His fingers

clearly written. Beneath it, a legal provision

to persuade Marjorie Steward not to reclaim her shares and was never

looked up sharply. "Where did

flicked to Maddox. "Can you excuse us for a

"Of course." He exited, closing

the other with deliberate ease. "How I make my money does not

Otherwise, there’s no way you could have acquired this kind of money,"

accuse me," she said coldly, "you should produce evidence. Otherwise, I’ll sue you for

Ravyn exhaled slowly, forcing himself to regain control. This was not pack territory. His authority

trying to make me want you again," he said

It was soft, and amusing, but her eyes remained glacial. "Ravyn, I’ve been foolish before," she said, "but

"You’re following her now," he said, his voice

by that bitch of yours?" The insult hit like a spark to

midair. With

breathing hard. "Make sure

hesitation. Then, colder, firmer. "Now sign

exchange with quiet interest. A faint smile curved her lips. Corvine was proving far more useful than she had anticipated. In time, she would reward that loyalty

looked up. "I’ll sign, but only if she returns Daisy’s