Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 29 – A Club for the High and Mighty

Augustine inhaled slowly, as though weighing the consequences of what he was about to say. When he finally spoke, his voice carried quiet certainty.

"Damon Locke."

The name stirred something faint at the back of Seraphine’s mind. Familiar, but distant, like a face glimpsed once in a crowded room.

She did not react immediately, not with Marshall still standing there. He didn’t belong to their world, and instinct warned her to be careful with what she revealed.

"Damon?" Marshall echoed, suspicion sharpening his tone. "How can he help?" He sounded genuinely interested and as if Augustine perceived it, he paused, turned, and looked at Marshall as though the question itself insulted his intelligence. "I’ll take my leave now," he said curtly.

Seraphine and Corvine followed him without hesitation. Behind them, Marshall’s voice carried casually through the room. "Sure. Prepare the bill for the lawsuit."

It was a reminder, cold and deliberate, that his business with Augustine predated Seraphine’s arrival.

The moment the door closed behind them, Marshall’s expression hardened. He walked back into his office and dialed a number he knew by heart.

As soon as the receiver answered, he began to speak without filter. "Mr. Ashkael," he said when the call connected, "it’s just as you said. She came, and I turned her away, but there’s a problem."

Voren’s voice came through the line, indifferent and unhurried. "What problem?"

Marshall exhaled slowly, then said the truth. "She’s devilishly gorgeous. I hope you won’t stop me from dating her."

The memory of Seraphine standing there, composed, striking, entirely unbothered by rejection still lingered. What was not sitting well with him was Corvine all over her.

single? Was there anything between her and Corvine? Those were the questions

knew he would have

business," Voren replied coolly, the eyes freezing Marshall with attention to Voren’s next words. "But if your emotions blind you and you conduct any form

Voren. Who would even dare? Unless the person wanted to be

did as you said. But she might be going to Damon. Augustine mentioned him." There was a brief silence, and he was about to hang up when Voren spoke, his tone absolute with

back in his chair. "Why exactly is she blacklisted?" he asked, curiosity bleeding through. "She seems determined.

be deceived by appearances. I’ll tell you when we

The line went dead.

***

park, Augustine finally explained himself. "I didn’t want to go into details in front of Marshall," he said, glancing briefly over his shoulder as if expecting the man to reappear. "He’s close to Voren. But I can take you to see

Ravyn you’re my lawyer. He wants

lifted, interest sparking. "What did

destroyed my own research," she said flatly, as if discussing the weather. "Daisy claims

softly. "That’s simple. Just give me

"That’s the problem. I never imagined her lies

faded. "That’s... complicated," he admitted. "But not impossible. You could both redo the research under

but the thought alone drained her. "It’s not a bad idea," she said after a moment. "But it takes time. I really hope I

charges yet, and I doubt he will. From what I hear, the pack is in chaos. He has no

didn’t respond. Some

shortly after, agreeing on a time to meet

She skipped dinner entirely and fell into bed, her mind racing long after

knock stirred her. "Sera," Corvine called softly through the door. "I hope you’re awake. I brought you breakfast. Don’t forget it’s going to