Chapter 33 Not Willingly
Sebastian’s POV
I stormed across my room back and forth, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles cracked.
That bastard Scott Hanson. That fucking asshole from the Lightning Pack had grabbed my wife, and dragged her out in front of hundreds of witnesses.
My image—the one thing I’d built my entire reputation on—shattered in one goddamn night.
All because of her.
"Calm down," Ryder’s voice cut through my rage, mocking. "You’re going to wear a hole in the floor."
"Shut up," I snarled out loud.
"You could have stopped him. You could have chased after them. But no, you just stood there like a statue."
"What was I supposed to do? Run after her like some desperate fool?" I whirled toward the window. "I’m an Alpha, not some lovesick puppy! I don’t chase women. Especially not one who’s clearly fucking around with every man she meets!"
"Brandon. Now Scott. Who’s next?"
The thought made my blood boil hotter. Women were all the same. Liars. Cheaters. Betrayers.
"You’re being irrational," Ryder said flatly. "She’s our mate. She wouldn’t..."
"She would," I bit out. "They all do."
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I looked at my watch: 10:30 PM.
She still wasn’t home.
Was she with him right now? In his car? His house? His bed?
The image made me want to rip something apart.
I snatched my phone, ready to call her, demand she get her ass back here immediately.
Then I froze.
I didn’t have her number.
"Fuck!" I hurled the phone onto the bed.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to do something. Anything.
I stormed toward the door and yanked it open.
And there she was.
Emilia stood in the hallway, her hand raised like she’d been about to knock. Her blue eyes widened in surprise.
For a split second, I just stared at her.
Then the smell hit me.
Scott’s scent clinging faintly to her dress, her skin.
Rage exploded through me like a grenade.
I sneered, my voice dripping venom. "Well, well. Look who decided to come home. I thought you’d be spending the night at that man’s place."
She took a deep breath. "It’s not what you think."
"Not what I think?" I grabbed her wrist and dragged her inside, slamming the door shut behind her. "Then what the hell am I supposed to think, Emilia? You left with him. In front of me. In front of everyone!"
She winced but didn’t pull away. "I can explain. But first, I need you to understand. I didn’t follow him. He took me."
"So?" I crossed my arms, glaring down at her.
"What I’m trying to say is... I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I didn’t expect it either."
"You said that man had nothing to do with you!" My voice rose despite myself. "You said you weren’t even close! So why the hell would he pull a stunt like that?!"
She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.
"Because he likes me."
Three words.
Three. Fucking. Words.
My vision went red.
"Likes you?" I roared. "You have the nerve to stand there and confess that so bluntly?! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? My reputation was destroyed in one night! All because of you!"
She lifted her chin, her blue eyes flashing. "What else am I supposed to do? Lie to you? I told you the truth because I felt guilty!"
Guilty?
She wasn’t apologizing. She wasn’t groveling. She was standing there like she hadn’t just made a fool out of me.
I laughed, cold and bitter. "Oh, that’s rich. Not only do you refuse to apologize, but you’re arguing like you’ve done nothing wrong. Fine."
I pulled out my phone. "I’m calling Henry."
Her eyes went wide. "What?"
I started scrolling through my contacts.
"Wait..." She lunged forward and grabbed my phone. "Why are you calling him?!"
I stared at her, my expression glacial. "Give it back."
"Not until you tell me why!"
My jaw tightened. I stepped forward, gripping her chin and forcing her to meet my gaze.
"I’m calling your father to take you back," I said slowly, each word dripping ice. "Clearly, you need to be educated properly. And since you’re defective goods, I want a refund."
She scoffed and glared right back at me.
"What did I do wrong? It’s not even my fault! You said I wasn’t allowed to have an affair, and I didn’t! You have no proof! What happened tonight doesn’t count as evidence. I already told you. I was taken, not willingly leaving with him!"
I stared at her, incredulous.
"Tsk." I smirked coldly. "What a waste of talent. You should’ve been a lawyer instead of an assistant."
My eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you really think you can explain this away with a few sentences? And why the hell should I believe you?"
She held my gaze, unflinching.
"It’s up to you," she said. "I’ve done my best to explain. If you insist on sending me away, I can’t stop you. I can only control my own actions, not what others feel about me."