Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 348: Under the moonlight

’You brought her here. That means she stays, got that?’ Bloodfang’s voice slammed through Voren’s mind with enough force to make him wince.

The Alpha resisted the urge to rub his forehead. ’It’s not that simple.’

’Seems pretty damn simple to me,’ Bloodfang argued, Voren let out a long, weary breath. ’We came here to break the spell first. After that, we’ll head back to the city and get married before anything else.’

For a moment Bloodfang stayed quiet. Then the wolf practically exploded in his head.

’Why even bother with marriage? Just crown her as your Luna already and cancel that stupid Blood Moon Festival!’

Voren closed his eyes for a second, fighting back a headache. Sometimes he really wondered who was harder to deal with. Bloodfang, or his parents.

’The Blood Moon Festival has to happen,’ he explained patiently. ’There are traditions, laws, and serious obligations tied to it. Without the mate bond restoration, we can’t mark each other, and enjoy that unique attraction only the mate bond offers.’

’That’s exactly why I want to marry her first. Once we’re officially married, nothing can tear us apart. Not politics, not challenges, not even the mate bond itself.’

Bloodfang grunted, sounding almost reluctant. ’Fine. I’ll admit you’re smarter than I gave you credit for.’

The wolf’s tone carried a hint of disappointment, like he’d been hoping for a simpler, more primal solution. ’How the hell did you even convince her? You couldn’t pull it off with my help, and trust me, I was being extremely charming.’

Voren nearly laughed out loud. ’Charming isn’t the word I’d use.’

’Then what word would you use?’

’Annoying.’

dramatically. ’Same

small smile tugged at Voren’s lips despite himself. ’I’ll tell you the whole story later. Right now

that sounded a lot like

back to Seraphine. She was still wandering around the cabin, eyes wide and sparkling

her genuine happiness after everything they’d been through warmed him straight to

want to cook, go right ahead," he said, his voice pulling her focus back to him. "I’ll check in on the pack, see how everything’s running,

"Though I have to admit, I’m already really looking forward to tasting whatever you make and tasting

planned for him than just cooking a meal, but first things first—the shaman, breaking the spell, and then everything else could unfold naturally between

"Okay," she replied softly.

but he’d barely taken a few steps when her

"Wait."

ask what was wrong, Seraphine crossed the room in a hurry. The distance between them vanished in seconds. She rose onto her toes and pressed a quick,

a second, but the emotion behind it hit him hard enough to leave him completely distracted. When she pulled away, Voren stared down at her, his arm instinctively wrapping

voice coming out rougher than he intended. His eyes had darkened with heat. "You have no idea how hard you’re making it

made the fire burn hotter. A playful little smile tugged at her

that Voren understood exactly what she meant. His expression softened. He’d already waited years for her. A little longer wouldn’t kill him,

leave Esperanza behind was because they both desperately needed this time together—no interruptions, no heavy responsibilities, no chaos swirling around them. Just the two of them,

up and brushed a loose strand of hair gently behind her ear, savoring the quiet

tilted her

His voice grew more serious. "We should activate it

her brows lifted. "Isn’t that supposed to happen in front

yeah." A smile returned to his face. "But our situation isn’t exactly