Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 395: Chapter 395 - Just pray Sera forgives you, because I won’t

"Dad."

Jasmine forced a smile, but every muscle in her body was wound tight with dread. "I don’t know what you’re talking about." The lie tasted weak and bitter on her tongue, and she knew it sounded just as pathetic to everyone else.

Across the room, Vladimir’s expression stayed completely unreadable, his heavy gaze pinning her in place like a ton of bricks. "I heard everything," he said flatly. "Every single word when you were talking to my wife, and if you truly respect me as a father, then you would tell me the truth."

The whole room went dead silent. Jasmine’s heart plummeted straight into her stomach. Vladimir slowly clasped his hands behind his back, his presence sucking all the air out of the space.

Madison and Einstein quickly exchanged a worried glance. Without a word, they gently steered little Esperanza away from the brewing storm, guiding her toward the edge of the room. The confused little girl looked up at them with wide eyes. "What’s happening?"

Madison managed a gentle smile. "Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart. Come on, let’s go with us." Einstein nodded, and the two adults stayed ready to whisk her away if things exploded.

The last thing anyone wanted was for Esperanza to see this ugly confrontation go down.

Before Jasmine could even find her voice, Corvine stepped forward on pure instinct, positioning himself protectively between her and Vladimir. The move didn’t go unnoticed. Vladimir’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Alpha Vladimir," Corvine said, his tone respectful but laced with steel. "This isn’t the time for this discussion. We’re all here for your son’s wedding, and I think that’s where everyone’s focus needs to stay right now."

For a tense beat, no one spoke. Then Vladimir’s face turned even colder, ice practically radiating off him. "This is exactly why I came." His gaze sliced right past Corvine and locked onto Jasmine. "Let’s talk."

Jasmine opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her stomach was tied up in painful knots. She knew exactly where this was headed and how badly it could blow everything apart.

Corvine jumped in again before she could recover. "Alpha Vladimir, with all due respect, I’m the wedding planner here, and Jasmine is the maid of honor. What you’re trying to drag up could completely derail the wedding, and I won’t let that happen."

His posture stayed calm, but there was no mistaking the fierce determination in his voice.

A ripple of surprise went through the room. No one had expected Corvine to challenge Vladimir so boldly, especially not in defense of Jasmine. Vladimir’s jaw tightened hard.

Before either of them could escalate, Oriana suddenly cut in. "Wait." All eyes swung to her. Her face was twisted with disbelief and disappointment as she shook her head slowly at Jasmine. "You’re the maid of honor? I’m very disappointed in you."

The guilt Jasmine had carried for years crashed down on her even heavier. She dropped her eyes, unable to meet the older woman’s stare.

A small voice suddenly pierced through the suffocating tension. "Grandma." Everyone turned to Esperanza, who was frowning up at Oriana. "You don’t seem to like Mommy."

The innocent words hit harder than any shouted accusation ever could. Oriana’s expression cracked for a split second, and even Vladimir looked deeply uncomfortable.

They both tried to paste on smiles, but those smiles never reached their eyes. The guilt was written all over them.

"Mari..." Oriana started softly.

Esperanza shook her head right away. "Please call me Espe." The quick correction carried real weight, like the nickname meant everything to her. A flash of pain crossed Oriana’s face, but she swallowed it down. "Espe," she said more gently, forcing another smile. "Can you go to your room for a little while? I’d like to speak with your aunt."

Esperanza hesitated, her eyes darting nervously between all the adults. She could sense something was very wrong. "I don’t want to leave."

Madison crouched down beside her and offered a hand. "Come on, sweetheart. We’ll keep you company." After a few reluctant seconds, Esperanza finally nodded, and Madison led her away with Einstein close behind.

The second they were gone, the atmosphere in the room grew even heavier and more oppressive.

Vladimir turned sharply toward Voren, his expression hardening with disbelief. "You just stand there and watch the shameless Beta who betrayed his pack for a rejected Luna insult me?"

The accusation cut through the air like a whip. Voren’s jaw locked tight, his patience fraying fast. He still didn’t fully understand why Corvine was protecting Jasmine so fiercely, but after everything they’d been through lately, he trusted his judgment completely.

And more than that, he knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t just about Jasmine. This was about protecting the wedding they’d all fought so hard for.

"Dad," Voren said, his voice coming out colder than he meant. Vladimir looked at him, a flicker of disappointment crossing the older Alpha’s face. "I think you’ve overstayed your welcome."

The room froze. Oriana looked shocked, and even Humphrey blinked in surprise. Voren rarely spoke to his father like that. "I honestly believed you came here to support us," Voren continued, pain flashing behind his eyes.

"But if that’s not the case, then you should leave. I’ll arrange for the chopper to pick you up. And when I return to Grimroot, I’ll bring back everyone who wants to leave... and leave behind anyone who prefers your leadership."

The challenge was loud and clear. Vladimir’s expression turned unreadable. Before things could spiral completely out of control, Humphrey stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of years of authority.

"Vladimir." The older Alpha looked at him. "Ravyn was my son, and I can say with absolute certainty that everything he did was wrong. He would regret all of it."

Sadness flickered across Humphrey’s face, the pain of losing a child never really faded. Vladimir stared at him before a cold smile slowly spread across his lips. "Humphrey. I’m surprised by you. Aren’t we supposed to stand together?" His gaze swept across the room. "I don’t know what this woman has done to all of you, but whatever charm she’s using won’t work on me. Especially after the humiliation she’ll bring me if Voren refuses to attend the Alpha King’s daughter’s dinner party."

Humphrey stared at him for several long seconds, then slowly shook his head. There was no anger, no frustration, just deep disappointment.

"Vladimir, I should be the one disappointed in you. Can you honestly compare Athaliah to Sera?" The question hung between them as Humphrey scoffed softly. "I think you’re the only blind person in this room. In fact, I’m beginning to wonder how you managed to raise such a wonderful son."

Voren looked away, the compliment hitting bittersweet from a man who’d lost his own child. Ravyn was dead to Humphrey, and the middle aged man would not care whatever Seraphine did to him.

Humphrey exhaled slowly, a faint smile stretching his lips. "But that’s fine. I’m just glad you’ll be attending the Full Moon Festival in a few days." For the first time, uncertainty flashed in Vladimir’s eyes. Humphrey’s gaze sharpened. "Just pray Sera forgives you, because I won’t."

The statement landed like a hammer, Vladimir stiffened, his face going rigid. The tension stretched unbearably for several seconds before he finally exhaled sharply through clenched teeth. "Fine. I’ll stay for the wedding."

Nobody relaxed. They all knew there was more. Sure enough, Vladimir’s gaze locked directly onto Jasmine. "But after it’s over... I will have a word with Jasmine."

No one responded. The warning had been delivered loud and clear. One by one, people started heading back to their rooms. The confrontation was over, at least for now.

Hours later, the hallways were quiet and the house had mostly fallen asleep. A door slowly creaked open. Oriana stepped out into the corridor, glancing around carefully to make sure the coast was clear.

Her expression was set with grim determination. If Vladimir couldn’t get to Jasmine right now, then maybe she could.

She moved silently down the hall until she reached Jasmine’s door. Her hand lifted toward the handle. Just as her fingers were about to touch it, a cold voice sounded from behind her.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you."