Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 349: A covenant made with blood and stone lasts forever

Voren’s gaze never wavered from hers, the silver moonlight casting a sacred glow across his strong features.

There was no teasing smile now, no playful remarks, just pure sincerity and unwavering certainty. Seraphine felt her heart swell with a powerful wave of emotion that nearly stole her breath.

Without hesitation, she nodded. "I do." Her voice trembled with feeling as she looked straight into his eyes. "I agree to become a member of the Grimroot Pack, its future Luna, its protector and defender, and to cherish every blessing that comes with it."

The smile that spread across Voren’s face was radiant. Relief, deep happiness, and fierce pride all flashing through his eyes at once. Slowly, his claws extended from his fingertips.

Seraphine watched in quiet fascination as one sharp claw pierced the center of his palm. Crimson drops welled up, and he lowered his hand toward the ancient rocks beneath them, letting the blood fall onto the stone.

The night breeze stirred gently around them, and the atmosphere grew heavier, older somehow, as if the mountain itself was listening and bearing witness. "A covenant made with blood and stone lasts forever," Voren declared, his deep voice echoing softly through the hidden sanctuary. "Under this moonlight, I hereby welcome Seraphine Walker as a member of the Grimroot Pack."

His eyes locked onto hers with intense emotion. "In the future, she shall be coronated as its Luna."

A strange, beautiful warmth bloomed deep in Seraphine’s chest. The words carried such profound weight, not just because they were part of some ancient ritual, but because they came from him.

From the man who had loved her through every version of herself, the one who had never stopped waiting, never given up hope.

Voren gently took her hand. Before she could even prepare herself, his claw pierced her palm with a quick, sharp sting. It wasn’t deep or serious, just enough.

A single drop of her blood fell onto the rocks, mixing with his. Then he pressed their palms together, warm blood connecting them in a bond that felt incredibly intimate, powerful, and ancient all at once.

"From this moment forward," Voren declared, his voice ringing with the undeniable authority of a true Alpha, "Seraphine Walker is a member of the Grimroot Pack."

The words reverberated off the surrounding rocks and faded into the darkness beyond. For several long seconds, neither of them moved, caught in the gravity of the moment. Then Voren’s expression softened with tenderness. "Now you have to taste my blood to seal the oath."

Seraphine smiled. As a former Luna, she already knew the tradition well. Pack-born wolves connected automatically, but outsiders had to complete this ritual.

touched her tongue briefly to the metallic taste

him to release her hand. Instead, Voren surprised her by bringing her own palm to his lips and tasting her blood in return. Seraphine blinked in astonishment. "That wasn’t part

his lips.

why did

brushed lightly over her wrist, sending a shiver through

her face. "What

instantly. A powerful force slammed into her mind like a freight

felt like invisible claws were ripping through her thoughts, tearing her brain

heartbeat, she thought she might

just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain vanished completely. Her breathing came in uneven gasps as she blinked rapidly, the world

echoed inside her head. ’Does it

It was right there in her mind. The mindlink. A slow,

she mind linked back instinctively, the words flowing naturally through their new connection. ’It doesn’t

Voren’s smile deepened with visible relief. For a moment, Seraphine simply marveled at the sensation. It felt strange yet

got the better of her. "Do you do that with every new pack member?" she asked, her tone innocent. But her mind immediately betrayed her as an image of

the smile tugging at her lips. Finally, Voren shook his head, his voice softening.

with surprise.

Amusement danced in his eyes again. "It usually lasts anywhere

he was right. The pain had disappeared almost immediately. Warmth flooded her chest.

him. "Alright," he said, his expression growing serious once more. "If I

by the mind

this place." Pride crept into his voice as he added, "Besides my parents and my Beta, nobody even knows it

now. "If there’s an emergency and I need to send someone, it’ll be Kael," he reassured her with a smile. "You’ve already

nodded. Kael had

hoping to come back with the shaman myself." The thought of finally breaking the spell burned with determination in his eyes. They were so close