Chapter 18 A Well-Matched Opponent
Emilia’s POV
"Thank you, Mila, but I can’t accept this bangle."
I politely declined. Not because of Sebastian’s death glare, but because accepting something so precious felt wrong.
I’d only been part of this family for days. This heirloom represented generations of Silver Moon Pack history, passed down from Luna to Luna. I wasn’t worthy of it yet.
Mila’s face fell, disappointment clouding her face. "Why not?"
"I just joined the family," I explained softly, choosing my words carefully. "I don’t think I’m worthy of it just yet. You should keep it for now, and when the right time comes..." I trailed off, unsure how to finish that sentence.
Sebastian’s rigid posture relaxed slightly. He looked almost... satisfied with my response.
"It’s not about being worthy or not." Mila’s voice was firm now, brooking no argument. "I regard you as my dear daughter-in-law, Emilia."
She glanced at Sebastian, and something sharp flashed in her eyes. "Even if... if you can’t stand this marriage and eventually decide to leave, I won’t blame you. It’s all up to you whether you want to take it."
Before I could protest again, Mila reached for my wrist and slipped the bangle on.
The cool metal settled against my skin, heavier than I expected. The moonstone inlays caught the light, and for a moment, I felt the weight of generations of Silver Moon Lunas pressing down on me.
I knew exactly what Mila intended. This bangle wasn’t just jewelry—it was a claim. A declaration that I belonged to this family, to this pack, forever.
Just like the bangle encircled my wrist, Mila wanted me bound to the Simons family for the rest of my life.
"Thank you," I whispered, because what else could I say?
Mila squeezed my hand, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Welcome to the family, dear. Truly."
I made it back to my room with the bangle still warm on my wrist.
Three minutes.
That’s how long it took before Sebastian’s fist slammed against my door.
"Come out! Emilia Taylor!"
My blood ran cold.
He’d never used my full name before. The way he said it—sharp, dangerous, furious—made me flinch.
I opened the door slowly. "What’s wrong?"
"Hand it to me."
"What?" I played dumb.
Sebastian didn’t waste time explaining and grabbed my wrist hard.
"Do you want to take it off yourself, or do you want me to do it?"
"Your mother gave this to me." I lifted my chin, meeting his blazing green eyes without flinching.
"Looks like I have to do it, then."
His fingers moved to the bangle.
"If you insist," I reminded him, "I’ll tell your entire family that you lost the bet."
Sebastian went absolutely still.
The air between us turned ice cold. When he looked at me, his eyes blazed with fury.
"How dare you threaten me?"
"Well," I shot back, surprising myself with my own boldness, "you forced me to."
Everything happened so fast I barely had time to gasp.
One moment I was standing in my doorway. The next, Sebastian had twisted me around and pinned me against the wall, his body caging mine completely.
His face was inches from mine, eyes burning into me with an intensity that made my knees weak. "Looks like I made a wrong decision from the beginning."
My heart pounded so hard.
"Well," I said, "looks like you picked a well-matched opponent from the start."
Sebastian burned with fury and let out a cold laugh. The last bit of color drained from my face instantly.
"Fine," Sebastian said, still pinning me to the wall. "It’s okay if you don’t want to take it off. But don’t regret it this weekend."
"Are you going to break our deal?"
"No. I’ll go with you to The Frostridge Pack. But there’s no guarantee on how I’ll act when we get there. After all, that wasn’t part of our deal, was it?"
Damn him.
He was right. I’d been so focused on getting him to agree to come that I hadn’t thought to specify his behavior once we arrived. Sebastian had found the loophole and driven a truck through it.
If Sebastian came to The Frostridge Pack and deliberately made a scene, it would be worse than not bringing him at all. Dorothy and Linda would mock me endlessly. And my father... Goddess, my father would fawn all over Sebastian.
"Do you think you’ll behave if I return the bangle?" I finally asked, hating how much the question sounded like surrender.
Sebastian’s smile widened, victory gleaming in his eyes. "I might consider it."