Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 288 - I’ll answer every single question you’ve got

Seraphine rubbed her heavy eyes, the city lights streaking by like glowing ribbons outside the car window. New York never really slept, and even this late the streets buzzed with honking taxis and late-night delivery bikes weaving through traffic.

She felt wiped out, body sinking into the soft leather seat as the long day finally caught up to her.

"Voren, what are you up to?" she asked, her voice coming out all slow and sleepy.

He turned toward her with that familiar half-smile, eyes crinkling at the corners like he found her adorable even half-asleep.

"It’s not me pulling anything. It’s all those questions you’ve been carrying around. And looking at you right now, you’re gonna need a good few hours of solid rest before we dive into any of that."

She nodded, brain fuzzy, but something tugged at her. She fished her phone out and called Corvine before she could second-guess herself. He answered quick, sounding a little relieved to hear her voice.

"Hey, it’s me. I’m staying the night at Voren’s with Marigold. You can come grab me tomorrow, alright?"

Voren leaned closer to the phone, his shoulder brushing hers. "I’ll drop her off myself in the morning."

Corvine’s tone turned serious now. "Sera, you forgetting your calendar? If you’re just gonna sleep straight through, that’s fine, but today or tonight starts another cycle."

The words snapped her wide awake. The sleepy fog vanished, replaced by that deep, familiar ache blooming in her chest, the desire to go back toward the pack lands beyond the city edges, where the trees stood tall and the air carried the scent of pine and earth instead of exhaust and street food.

She missed it already, that sense of belonging that always grounded her, allowing her wolf to numb the pain from her period.

"You’re right," she said, sitting up straighter. "I’ll come back tonight then."

passing

around Marigold on this

a couple quick calls, Voren turned back to her, his expression easing as his fingers relaxed against the steering wheel. "Call

raised an eyebrow, tilting

lay it all out when we get home. Just trust me

caught off-guard by his interest, even as he tried to keep his

numb that mess too. You better share the tips, okay?

indeed hoped that Corvine would

hum of the city lulling her under. When

"Mommy! Mommy, mommy!"

stood there on the driveway, arms thrown wide open, face glowing with pure joy. She looked so much stronger and brighter than those tough hospital days, cheeks full of color, eyes sparkling under the mansion lights. Jasmine stood a step behind her, smiling

into her arms. The little girl’s warmth hit her chest like sunshine, chasing away the last heavy

tight around Seraphine’s neck, squeezing with all her excitement and giggling right in her

them up the wide front steps into the mansion, and Seraphine took everything

of those nicer pockets just outside the main Manhattan rush, close enough that you could still hear the distant city heartbeat but far enough for breathing room and big trees

the walls and furniture, cheerful yellows, soft blues, and

shelves held toys and picture books, soft rugs covered the floors so little feet could run without worry, and everything looked warm instead of

voice full of real wonder as she glanced

her head from Seraphine’s shoulder, grinning big. "Daddy picked all my favorite colors! If

"Thank you, sweetie, but these colors

into the dining room. The smells hit her all at once, fresh pancakes, warm blueberries, oats with cinnamon, and a bunch of other cozy dishes that made her stomach growl loud enough for her to

gently in the chair right next to hers and leaned in close.