Chapter 7 Back To The Frostridge Pack.
Emilia’s POV
Vanessa couldn’t even answer. She was shaking too hard, her forehead pressed against the floor, unable to do anything but submit to the crushing weight of his aura.
Sebastian took a single step forward, and the pressure intensified. Several women whimpered. One started crying silently, tears streaming down her face as she fought not to break completely under the weight of his displeasure.
"I’ll ask once more," Sebastian continued, each word precisely enunciated. "Did. I. Give. You. Permission?"
"N-no, Alpha," Vanessa managed to gasp out.
"No," Sebastian agreed. "You didn’t. And yet you thought it appropriate to not only question my decision but to physically assault my chosen bride."
He crouched down beside her, and Vanessa flinched like he’d struck her.
"Let me make something very clear to everyone present," Sebastian said in that terrible, soft tone. "Emilia Taylor is mine. I chose her. My decision is final and absolute. And if any of you, any of you, has a problem with that choice..." He paused. "Then step forward now. Say it to my face. And find out exactly what happens to those who challenge an Alpha in his own territory."
No one in the room dared to move.
"As for you, Miss Sterling." Sebastian’s eyes bored into Vanessa’s trembling form. "You have ten seconds to get out of my sight before I decide whether assault on my future Luna constitutes grounds for a formal challenge. One."
Vanessa scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping over her expensive dress in her haste.
"Two."
She ran.
The other candidates followed in a panicked exodus, stumbling over each other in their desperation to escape Sebastian’s presence. Even the guide retreated to a safe distance, though she remained in the hallway, clearly uncertain whether she was dismissed or not.
Within seconds, it was just the two of us.
The oppressive weight of Sebastian’s aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only normal air and the rapid hammering of my heart.
He straightened, his expression settling back into that familiar cold mask.
"You have a talent for making enemies," he said.
I moved away from the wall, relieved that my knees didn’t give out.
"Thank you, Alpha Sebastian," I said. "If you hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve been hurt..."
Sebastian turned to face me fully.
"Miss Taylor, don’t mistake my intervention for affection," he said flatly. "I simply don’t tolerate anyone questioning my decisions. It’s a matter of pride, not preference. Vanessa could have been attacking a lamp, and I would have reacted the same way if that lamp was something I’d claimed as mine."
I froze for a second. So much for thinking he’d done it for me.
"I’m not trying to make you feel special," Sebastian continued. "I’m trying to make you understand the reality of our situation. You are a means to an end. The fact that I defended you just now doesn’t change that."
"Right," I said, matching his cold tone. "Got it. So I’m basically your favorite lamp. Very flattering."
His jaw tightened. "I suggest you watch that tongue of yours, Miss Taylor. It’s going to get you into trouble."
"It already has," I pointed out. "But I’m still here, aren’t I? Still your chosen bride, despite all the obvious reasons why I shouldn’t be."
"Yes," Sebastian agreed. "You are. And I’m starting to question that decision myself."
Suddenly, his hand was wrapped around my wrist, pulling me close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. The scent of mint and cedar flooded my senses.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke.
"I do appreciate your sharp tongue, Miss Taylor," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. "It’s refreshing, but try to survive tonight," he continued softly. "I’d hate for you to become victim number seven before we’re even officially married. That would be terribly inconvenient."
I jerked my wrist free and spun to face him. "Is that a threat or a warning, Alpha?"
Sebastian’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "Does it matter?"
"Actually, yes. If you’re threatening to kill me, I’d appreciate knowing in advance. It’s only polite."
He looked almost amused, but only for a second.
"My mother will want to speak with you. The guide will take you to her." He turned to leave, dismissing me as easily as he’d dismissed Vanessa.
The guide tilted her head, as if communicating through a mind-link. Then she bowed to me and said, "Miss Taylor, Alpha Sebastian has already gone. Please follow me."
Sebastian’s mother wanted to see me? Great. If she was anything like him, this was going to be a long night. But I didn’t exactly have a choice.
"Lead the way," I said.
Along the way,
[Pathetic wolfless girl...]
[...two months, tops, before she’s gone like the others...]
Their thoughts poured into my head. Cruel. Pitying. Disgusted. I couldn’t shut them out. My temples pounded. Another migraine coming.
"This way, Miss Taylor." The guide pointed to double doors ahead. "Mrs. Simons is waiting."
The doors opened.
I spotted him immediately.
Sebastian stood by the window. Cold as ever. Dark hair. Sharp green eyes. He didn’t look at me. Didn’t even twitch.
But when I looked at him, my mind went quiet.
The pressure in my skull vanished. The noise became background hum.
What the hell?
Before I could figure it out, a warm voice pulled my attention.
"You must be Emilia." An older woman approached, taking my hands. Her smile was genuine. Welcoming.
I blinked in surprise.
"Mrs. Simons." I managed a polite smile, hyperaware of Sebastian’s brooding presence across the room. "It’s an honor to meet you."
"The honor is mine, dear." Her grip tightened slightly, and her smile wavered.
Curious, I let my ability reach toward her. Just a gentle probe. Testing the waters.
[A wolfless girl. He chose a wolfless girl. I never expected. But if Sebastian finally selected someone, anyone, I shouldn’t complain. This is the first time he picked someone himself. Maybe this one will be different. Maybe she can...]
The hope in her thoughts caught me off guard. There was no contempt. No disappointment. Just cautious optimism mixed with concern.
"Please, sit." Mila guided me to the sofa, settling beside me while keeping my hands clasped in hers. "Tell me about yourself. Which pack are you from?"
"The Frostridge Pack, ma’am. I’m Henry Taylor’s daughter."
"And you’re how old, sweetheart?"
"Twenty-two."
Mila’s expression softened further. "So young. Were you frightened? During the interview, I mean. My son can be rather..." She shot a pointed look toward Sebastian. "Intense."
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Honestly? Alpha Sebastian wasn’t nearly as terrifying as his reputation suggested."
A snort echoed from Sebastian’s direction.
I glanced over, watching his jaw tighten. He still hadn’t looked at me directly, but I’d definitely gotten a reaction.
Mila’s eyes widened. She looked between us. Back and forth. Back and forth. Something shifted in her expression. Surprise. Wonder. A trembling kind of hope.
"I’ll leave my son in your care, then." Her voice actually shook. "Our family will treat you well, Emilia. This I swear to you."
Before I could respond to such an unexpectedly emotional declaration, she continued. "The wedding will be held tomorrow. At the Emperor Hotel."
My breath caught. "Tomorrow?"
So soon? But if it meant fewer days dealing with the noise, with everyone’s thoughts crushing down on me...
If Sebastian’s presence somehow muted the mental chaos. And I still didn’t understand why. Then maybe rushing into this marriage wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.
"Absolutely not."
Sebastian’s voice cut through the room. He finally turned to face us. His expression carved from ice.
"I have a wedding every time I get married," he said flatly. "It’s too troublesome."
"Too troublesome?!" Mila shot to her feet. Five-foot-nothing of outraged mother. "This is Emilia’s first marriage! She deserves a proper ceremony! It’s our obligation. Our duty to honor her. Regardless of your jaded attitude!"
The air crackled with tension. Sebastian’s eyes flashed. A warning that would have sent most wolves cowering.
Mila didn’t back down an inch.
He stared at his mother. She glared right back.
Finally, Sebastian’s gaze slid to me. Just for a moment. Just long enough for something unreadable to flicker across his face.
Then he turned and walked out without another word.
The door closed behind him with an ominous finality.
Mila sighed, settling back beside me. "He has such a terrible temper. But deep down..." She patted my hand. "Deep down, he’s not as heartless as he pretends. Don’t let him intimidate you, dear."
"I won’t." And I meant it. "I don’t mind his attitude, Mrs. Simons."
Her smile returned, brighter this time. "You’re going to fit in just fine here, Emilia. Just fine."
I should have savored the moment. Should have basked in the first genuinely kind reception I’d received in years.
Instead, I was being driven back to the Frostridge Pack territory with a knot of disgust twisting in my stomach.
The car hadn’t even fully stopped before I saw him.
Brandon.
He was waiting outside the Frostridge Pack house, his arms crossed, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. The same smirk that used to make my teenage heart flutter.
Now it just made my stomach turn.