Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever-Chapter 17 – Luna Sera, can we meet?

A few days earlier, Seraphine had finally allowed herself to think beyond survival, and endurance. She called Corvine aside when her parents were still asleep. Her words were simple but carried weight.

"I’ll leave as soon as the divorce certificate is finalized," she said calmly, her voice steady despite the weight behind her words. "If you want, I can help you secure a good job in the city."

She had plans, too many of them, really. Plans that required a lot of movements and even though she needed help more than ever, she refused to be selfish enough to chain Corvine’s future to her own uncertain path.

To her surprise, he refused without hesitation. "No, Sera." His voice was firm, and resolute. "I’m not leaving until I find your daughter. Not even if I have to die serving you." He lowered his head slightly, a solemn vow in his eyes. "My life for hers."

Her chest tightened, and Seraphine stared at him for a long moment before exhaling slowly. "Don’t say things like that," she said quietly. "I should be grateful enough that you disobeyed your Alpha’s orders and let her live. Honestly, you owe me nothing."

Ravyn could have easily made Corvine’s life miserable if he knew this, and that should have been the end of the discussion, but it wasn’t.

Corvine shook his head, not finding the necessary relief in Seraphine’s words. "It doesn’t change the fact that I want to serve you. Unless you never liked my work ethic in the pack, then I’ll leave quietly."

Seraphine drew in a deep breath and brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face, studying him properly for the first time in days. Corvine was a man of presence, tall, composed, intelligent, and attractive in a quiet, unassuming way. He would thrive in the city if he chose to.

And his work ethic? Impeccable. It was the reason she had been able to focus on medicine while the pack flourished under quiet, efficient systems. Her people had always been healthy because someone like Corvine ensured nothing fell apart behind the scenes.

"I respected your work ethic," she said at last. "I admired it." She paused. "If you want to continue working with me, then I’ll make you my most trusted assistant." She met his eyes. "Do you agree?"

His smile was immediate, genuine, and touched with disbelief. "Luna..." He stopped himself quickly. "Sera. I thought you’d make me your bodyguard." A brief laugh escaped him. "But this position? I swear I’ll never let you down."

Then his expression shifted, as if something else had just occurred to him. "I also have savings with my parents in the city," he added. "They own a large mansion. They’d welcome you without question."

Seraphine considered that. She had planned to rent an apartment, something small and discreet. But saving that money would give her more leverage later.

"Where do your parents live?" she asked.

"Staten Island," Corvine replied with hopeful eyes, Seraphine nodded slowly, contemplating on the location. It was close to Manhattan, strategic, still, doubt lingered in her mind concerning the instruction, "I don’t want to inconvenience your parents. I can rent an apartment for both of us."

Disappointment sat in Corvine’s eyes. He wanted a way to help, a way to reduce the guilt he felt for her daughter. "And if Alpha Voren tries to sabotage you?" Corvine asked quietly, reminding her of Voren’s threat.

An Alpha’s threat was never empty, and that was enough to stop her.

She thought it through carefully before nodding. "You’re right. We’ll stay at your parents’ place, just until I understand what he’s planning." Her gaze sharpened as she looked at him. "Since you’ve proven yourself trustworthy, I’ll share a secret with you."

Corvine leaned in instinctively, honored by the confidence. "I’m listening. Whatever it is, it stays with me."

"I have investments in Walker Global Enterprises," she said evenly. "Under a fake name."

His eyes widened. "You do?" Shock flickered across his face. "How did you keep that from Alpha Ravyn?" The Walker Global Enterprises was the Walker’s family business, but Ravyn inherited and pushed it to another level, without knowing that a great part of the funds was from Seraphine.

"That’s why I used a false identity," she replied calmly. "I have an agent who handles everything on my behalf. I’ve drafted several business plans already, but which one I execute will depend on the market when we arrive."

A slow grin spread across Corvine’s face. "Now I’m really excited to move to the city." He couldn’t wait to see what else Seraphine had in her sleeves but there was more.

"And be prepared," she added coolly, "because you’ll be managing most of those businesses."

His excitement faltered, replaced by a frown. "Sera, how will we find your daughter?"

Her expression softened, but her resolve did not. "I believe fate will cross our paths again. Once things stabilize, I’ll take a position in the pediatric unit of the largest hospital. I’ll also work locum shifts elsewhere, anything that gives me access to children around the age of six."

She had everything planned out but walked around care-free. Corvine stared at her, admiration blazing openly now. "I underestimated you."

A faint smirk curved Seraphine’s lips. For the first time in a long while, she had someone she could trust. All that remained was the divorce agreement, or so she thought.

The very next day, her phone rang with an unfamiliar number. "Luna Sera, can we meet?"

The voice was distant. "Who is this?" she asked politely.

There was a small sigh on the other end. "If I tell you, you might not want to see me."

Her brows drew together. "Then you shouldn’t be calling." She was about to end the call when the voice hurried on. "It’s about your divorce. I came across it by chance." He paused. "Please, can we meet?"

Seraphine’s fingers tightened around the phone as she contemplated on who this mysterious person was...