Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever-Chapter 21 – I am young

The flight to the city passed in a rare pocket of calm, the steady hum of the engine giving Seraphine space to think. Clouds stretched endlessly beyond the window, soft and distant, but her mind was sharp and alert.

She used the quiet to map out her next steps, where to start, who to trust, how to rebuild a future she had been forced to abandon before she was ready.

When they landed, the airport was alive with motion and noise. Voices overlapped, luggage wheels rattled across tiled floors, and announcements echoed overhead.

Corvine led her through the crowd until they reached an older couple waiting near the arrivals gate.

Desmond, Corvine’s father stood tall and composed, his posture confident in a way that spoke of long years in control, while Nessa, his mother’s expression softened the moment her eyes landed on Seraphine.

Though Corvine had warned them in advance, surprise still flickered across Nessa’s face. "So it’s true," she said gently, stepping closer. "Luna Sera... I honestly didn’t believe him at first. You loved Alpha Ravyn so deeply. None of us ever imagined things would end in divorce."

Seraphine smiled, polite and restrained, the way one smiles when touching a closed wound. "That part of my life is over," she replied calmly. "Please forgive me for intruding on your privacy. Once I find my footing here, I’ll move out."

Desmond and Nessa exchanged a look and shook their heads almost in unison.

"No," Desmond said firmly. "You were a good Luna," Nessa added, her voice sincere. "We only left because—"

"Ahem. Ahem." Corvine cleared his throat loudly, cutting her off. Nessa froze for a heartbeat, then forced a smile and waved it away. "Never mind," she said lightly.

Something in that exchange felt suspicious, unfinished, but Seraphine let it go. She had learned that some truths revealed themselves only when they were ready.

Once inside the car, the tension eased. The city rolled past the windows in flashes of glass and steel, and when they arrived at the house, Seraphine was quietly stunned.

The property was elegant without being loud, tasteful, expansive, undeniably expensive.

They were ushered straight to a warm meal, the scent of freshly cooked food filling the dining room. As she ate, Seraphine glanced around, her curiosity sharpening.

"I hope I’m not being intrusive," she said carefully, "but... what exactly do you do?"

Desmond paused mid-bite. He and Nessa exchanged another look. "You didn’t know?" Nessa asked.

"Know what?" Seraphine frowned, confused. Corvine inhaled deeply before speaking. "My parents were never poor. They stayed at the pack because of me. When I was old enough, they moved here to focus on their businesses. I never visited after I became beta."

Seraphine’s brows lifted slightly. So Corvine hadn’t just been loyal, he’d been wealthy. "Then you shouldn’t be burdening yourself helping me manage things," she said gently.

She didn’t notice the way Desmond’s eyes dimmed, or how Nessa’s smile faltered.

"Sera," Corvine said firmly, "I promised to help you, and I intend to keep that promise. My parents have agreed to support you with five billion."

Her expression hardened immediately. "No."

"Take it as a loan," he added quickly, anticipating her refusal.

"Then we need a contract," Seraphine replied without hesitation.

Desmond calmly reached into a folder beside him and produced neatly printed documents. "He told us you’d insist," he said. "So we prepared everything in advance."

Seraphine read every clause carefully, her focus absolute. Only when she was satisfied did she sign.

"Since you’re already established in the market," she said, setting the pen down, "I’d like your advice."

"That depends," Desmond replied. "What sector are you considering?"

She thought for a moment. "I haven’t decided fully, but I’ll start with tech."

"Tech?" Both parents frowned slightly.

"For your hospitality," Seraphine continued calmly, "you should know I have strong cyber skills. I plan to establish myself there first, while leveraging the stock market before settling in the medical field."

Desmond studied her, then nodded slowly, impressed. "I have a feeling Alpha Ravyn will come to regret letting you go."

Seraphine smiled but there was no warmth in her eyes. "Other than reclaiming my investment in his company," she said coolly, "I want nothing to do with him."

That answer clearly pleased them. The agreement was finalized, and arrangements were made for the funds to be transferred the following day.

Her room was far larger than she expected, spacious, quiet, and comfortable. Sleep came easily, as if her body finally felt safe.

The next morning, she went shopping with Corvine, selecting essentials without indulgence, then left everything in the car before heading to her next appointment.

Maddox Grey’s office sat high above the city. When they entered, Seraphine spoke first. "My name is Seraphine Walker," she said evenly, "but I invest under the alias Marjorie Steward."

Maddox stared at her as though his eyes might fall out. "Marjorie?" he repeated. "You look... very young."

"I am young," she replied flatly, he chuckled, raising his hands in surrender.

"Fair enough. Please, come with me."

Hours passed in a blur of calls and confirmations as they reviewed her investment returns. When the back-and-forth between Maddox and Ravyn grew tedious, Seraphine straightened. "I’ll handle the rest personally."

What she hadn’t expected was to run into Augustine the moment the elevator doors slid open.

"Sera," he said, clearly surprised. "What are you doing here? I was expecting a call."

She forced a polite smile. "I just arrived and have some business to take care of but what are you doing here?."

"Well," he said, still watching her closely, "I work here, in the legal department. If you need legal assistance, don’t forget to contact me."

The way his gaze lingered made her uncomfortable, but the mention of legal help caught her attention. "I will," she said seriously.

By the time she reached Ravyn’s office, his assistant Kevin greeted her warmly and ushered her in. Ravyn was preparing to leave when he saw her and froze.

"Sera?" His frown deepened. "What are you doing here?"

She stood elegant in a crisp white suit, elegant and composed. It was the first time he’d seen her with subtle makeup, and the change unsettled him. It had only been weeks, yet she felt distant, and different.

His gaze shifted to the two men behind her, recognition dawning as he focused on Maddox. "Wait," Ravyn said slowly. "Don’t tell me you’re—"

The rest of the words caught in his throat.