Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

I fully expected him to say no.

Sebastian went very still. Several seconds passed.

Then, to my complete shock, he nodded. "Okay. Come here."

He moved over, making space for me on the other side of the bed.

I stood there like an idiot, staring at him, wondering if I’d actually fallen asleep and was dreaming this whole conversation.

"Are you coming, or are you planning to stand there all night?" Sebastian’s tone was dry, but not unkind.

I climbed into bed, my heart hammering so hard I was sure he could hear it. Sebastian pulled the blanket over me and reached over to turn off the light.

Darkness enveloped us again.

I lay there stiffly, hyperaware of every breath he took, every slight movement he made. We were only inches apart, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, smell that familiar scent of cedar and mint.

Tears pricked my eyes. This was what I wanted—just to be close to him, to pretend for a little while that we were a real couple, that he loved me the way I loved him.

Before I could stop myself, I reached out and wrapped my arms around him from behind, pressing my face against his broad back.

Sebastian stiffened.

He turned over to face me.

I didn’t let go. Instead, I buried myself deeper into his embrace, tears sliding down my cheeks.

"Mila mentioned something before," I said, my voice muffled against his chest. "About how much she wants us to have a child. An heir to carry on the Simons bloodline."

Sebastian’s entire body went rigid.

"I’ve been thinking about it," I continued before I lost my nerve. "And I’ve made up my mind. I’m willing to do it."

"Say yes," I thought desperately. "Say yes, and give me a reason to stay. Give me something that belongs to both of us, something that ties us together."

If I had his child, maybe Linda’s threats wouldn’t matter. Maybe Richie’s deadline wouldn’t matter. Maybe I could find a way to make this work.

"Emilia..." Sebastian’s voice was strained. "That was in the past. Things are different now."

My heart sank. "Different how?"

"Back then, I was only thinking about myself—about what I needed, what the pack needed. But now..." He paused, his jaw tightening. "Now I want to think about you too."

Hope flared in my chest, small but bright. "Why? Why do you want to think about me now?"

Please say it. Please say you have feelings for me. Please give me something to hold onto.

Sebastian was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn’t answer.

Then, finally: "You’re like... family to me. A friend. You were there when I was lost, when I was drowning in my own darkness. You didn’t run away, even when you had every reason to." His hand came up to rest on my shoulder, his touch gentle. "I’m grateful for that, Emilia. I’m grateful for you. And because of that, I can’t treat you like some kind of baby-making machine. That would be irresponsible. Cruel. You deserve better than that."

Family.

Friend.

But not his lover. Never his lover.

The hope that had sparked to life moments ago died just as quickly, leaving behind nothing but ashes and bitter understanding.

I’d flown too close to the sun, and gravity was dragging me back down into the darkness.

"Let’s get a divorce." The words just slipped out.

I did not make the decision all of a sudden, and it was also not because of my heartache. I said that after thinking it over repeatedly in the past few days.

Sebastian’s POV

I sat up abruptly.

Divorce?

For a moment, I couldn’t process it. My mind went completely blank.

She wants to leave?

Ryder howled inside me, a sound of pure pain that made my chest ache.

"No. No. She can’t leave. She’s ours. Our mate. Tell her no!"

But I couldn’t speak. My throat had closed up completely.

I stared at Emilia, searching her face for any sign that she was joking. But her expression was serious, her blue eyes fixed on mine with a kind of determination I hadn’t seen before.

"Really?" I asked, my voice rough.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. Just weeks ago, she’d told me she would stay with me regardless of whether I loved her or not. I hadn’t said anything then, but those words had settled something inside me, eased a tension I didn’t even know I had.

And now she was taking it all back.

"Yes," Emilia said quietly. "It’s the result of three sleepless nights."

She’d been thinking about leaving me for three nights while I slept, completely having no idea.

"Ask her to stay!" Ryder snarled. "Don’t let her go!"

I couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come.

Panic clawed up my throat. I grabbed her shoulders. "Why? Didn’t you say you’d stay with me even if there’s no love?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. They sounded desperate. Pathetic.

Emilia’s expression crumpled. "I’m sorry. I thought I could do it. I wanted to do it. But in the end, I can’t. I really can’t."

Tears slid down her cheeks, catching the moonlight as they dripped onto her pale hands.

Something in my chest cracked.

I’d made her cry. Again.

My hands fell away from her shoulders. I couldn’t look at her anymore. I couldn’t bear to see the pain in those blue eyes that I’d put there.

I got out of bed, my legs unsteady, and walked to the small bar cart. My hands were shaking as I poured myself a glass of whiskey.

I downed it in one gulp, welcoming the burn in my throat. It was better than the burn in my chest.

"Say something," Ryder demanded. "Tell her you need her. Tell her she can’t leave."

But what right did I have to ask her to stay? I’d given her nothing. No love, no promises, no hope for a future.

Behind me, I could hear her breathing, uneven and shaky. Each breath felt like a knife twisting in my gut.

"You don’t have any objections, do you? If you feel embarrassed that I proposed it first, then you can be the one telling your parents about the divorce at breakfast tomorrow."

I stood there, the empty glass cold in my hand.

"Answer her!" Ryder roared. "Don’t just stand there like a coward!"

But I couldn’t. If I turned around, if I looked at her tear-stained face, I would break. I would beg her to stay, and that wouldn’t be fair to her.

So I did what I always did. I stayed silent, my back turned, letting her think I didn’t care.

Even as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.