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.

she lifted his hand and touched her tongue briefly to the metallic taste of his

her hand. Instead, Voren surprised her by bringing her own palm to his lips and

at his

why did you

lightly over her wrist, sending a shiver through her. "It

across her face.

hit her instantly. A powerful force slammed into her mind like

invisible claws were ripping through her thoughts, tearing her

heartbeat, she thought she might collapse under the overwhelming

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

inside her

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

instinctively, the words flowing naturally through their new connection. ’It doesn’t

For a moment, Seraphine simply marveled at the sensation. It felt strange yet completely natural and comforting, like an

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

she couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. Finally, Voren shook

raised with surprise. "Only

new member, I let them suffer through the pain." Amusement danced in

"But yours lasted what? Five seconds?" Seraphine nodded slowly, realizing he was right. The pain had disappeared almost immediately. Warmth

"Alright," he said, his expression growing serious once more. "If I run into any

by the mind

hand. "You’ll be safe here. No one is allowed inside this place." Pride crept into his voice as he added, "Besides my parents and my

and I need to send someone, it’ll be Kael," he reassured her with a smile. "You’ve

Kael had seemed trustworthy

The thought of finally breaking the spell