Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 356: Break the spell

The tension in the room hung thick in the air for several long seconds after the shaman dropped that bombshell. Seraphine stayed frozen, her mind reeling. A white witch. Black magic. The words kept echoing through her head, sending chills racing down her spine.

White witches were known to be good, using their powers for good, but this one had used her powers for evil.

Before either Seraphine or Voren could fire off another question, the shaman casually glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the beautifully set dining table.

The intense look on her face vanished in an instant. "Are you inviting me to breakfast?" she asked, like they hadn’t just been talking about dark spells.

The abrupt change left both of them stunned. Seraphine blinked a few times, then let out a soft, surprised laugh. "Of course," she said, quickly standing up and pulling out a chair for her. "Please, sit."

The shaman settled into the seat without any hesitation, a pleased little smile spreading across her face. Seraphine felt a touch of nerves as she headed toward the kitchen area. "I’m not exactly an exceptional cook," she admitted with a shy smile, "but I always do my best."

The older woman looked genuinely amused. "Humility is a good trait," she replied warmly.

Seraphine smiled back and started bringing out the dishes. The rich, mouthwatering smell of freshly cooked food soon filled the whole space. She grabbed plates and served everyone, first Voren, then the shaman, and finally herself.

The second she sat down, a comfortable silence fell over the table. Nobody spoke, not because the conversation was dead, but because all three of them were suddenly realizing just how starving they were. The only sounds were the gentle clink of cutlery against plates as they dug in.

The shaman took one bite, then another. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. A third bite followed, then a fourth. By the time she finally looked up, half her plate had already disappeared. "This is good," she said, and the compliment sounded completely sincere.

"I agree," Voren added, his plate almost empty. He was so proud that his woman knew how to do almost everything. Almost.

Seraphine felt her cheeks warm with a mix of shyness and embarrassment, but she couldn’t help smiling. The older woman pointed at the food with her fork. "You are the first Luna who has ever cooked for me."

out a soft laugh. "I’m not a

her head immediately, her voice carrying total certainty, like she was stating an undeniable fact of the universe. "Once a Luna, always

slipped out, and her smile faded just

her eyes, the painful memories of betrayal, humiliation,

watched her in thoughtful silence for

serious. Without warning, she reached across the table

move immediately caught Voren’s full attention. He knew that look. He could tell the shaman had begun her work. Silently, he stood up and started clearing away unnecessary items from the table, giving them more space and letting

over her face. The older woman squeezed her hands gently. "Oh, child," she said, her

responsibilities far greater than your age. Many people would have broken under that kind of

The words felt incredibly personal, almost too intimate, like the woman was seeing straight into parts of her soul

suddenly went quiet. Her eyes narrowed, locking onto Seraphine’s forehead with an intense focus, as if she were staring at something invisible to everyone else. Several long moments passed before she nodded slowly. "I can

away, obvious relief flashing in his eyes. But the shaman’s voice grew heavier. "But... I am not authorized

the older woman squeezed her hands again reassuringly.

flooded back into Seraphine’s chest. That was enough. It was more than enough. Voren moved closer, his voice full of fierce determination. "That’s

for a second before nodding. "Very well." She released Seraphine’s hands and turned

returning moments later with a glass of fresh water. The shaman took it,

woman pulled out a tiny object, something dark and dried. Before either of them could ask

water started changing color. Then the shaman began chanting in that

seem to vibrate with energy. Seraphine felt goosebumps prickling across

red, and finally a deep, ominous crimson that looked more like blood than water. Seraphine stared at it, her confidence

out