Chapter 2 - Family could be everything

Leah’s POV

For a moment, I wondered how it would feel to see Eli and his precious Jewel while I was standing in the arms of Sebastian, but I quickly wiped that stupid idea from my thoughts as I suddenly started to wonder what kind of pack took in a rogue just like that without any questions. Eli sure as hell wouldn’t have and then take them into the packhouse and show them all the weak spots.

“Don’t even think about running.” Sebastian’s voice pierced through my thoughts as he pointed to a man who was walking closer. “This, my lovely little wolf is Carl. He will be your Gamma.” Sebastian smiled broadly as he hugged the man and I frowned. Only Luna’s had Gammas protecting them. Oh, goddess! Was he…? “This is the future Luna, Carl.” FUCK! He did! That was just perfect! He had basically told his Gamma that he had already accepted me, and I rolled my eyes.

“She doesn’t seem to agree with you, Sebastian.” Carl laughed and took my hand to greet me, but Sebastian was fast. I mean, supernaturally fast when taking my hand out of the way and holding tightly onto it.

“Oh, she will.” He winked at me. “Now, let’s get you settled.” He guided me to a dark corner and I was ready to attack if he tried anything when he opened a door and behind it was a lift. I would never have guessed that such a modern thing could be hidden behind such a beautiful antique door. “I don’t like taking the stairs.” He laughed as we stepped inside and he pressed the button for the top floor.

“Uhm, wouldn’t it have been better if I stayed in the single ladies’ quarters?” I frowned.

“No, definitely not! I need you here, with me.” He laughed but I was feeling awfully uneasy about it. Just the two of us on one floor. An entire damn floor. I could never understand why Alphas needed so much space for themselves. When they had children, of course, I could understand having all that space, but not while they were still so young and single. My mind was going slightly haywire again and the lift door opening brought me back to the present as we stepped out onto the Alpha floor. I was amazed to see an open-plan loft with its own kitchen and living area. A small office was set up in one corner and right beside it was the largest bed I had ever seen! How on earth did they get that thing up here or did they just build the floor around it? The room was clearly masculine with its black bedding and silver appliances.

“Uhm, where am I staying?” I was still taking it all in when I noticed my backpack beside one of the dining room chairs.

“Here,” Sebastian had taken a seat behind his desk and looked up for a moment before returning his attention to whatever he was looking at. I noted a glass door and excused myself so softly that I hardly heard my own voice. I could only hope I was heading to the bathroom and I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped through the door and found a beautifully decorated bathroom. There was an enormous shower decorated with silver and white tiles. A black jacuzzi bath was built into one corner and all the rest. To my surprise, the towels were pristine white and I wondered if they were actually his. I looked at them after washing my hands and decided not to touch them, drying my hands on my pants. I would hate for him to see that I hadn’t taken a shower in two days!

“Leah,” He knocked on the door and I jumped with fright. “Are you okay in there?” He sounded amused and I rolled my eyes, opening the door.

“Yeah, uhm. Where are you going to stay?” I stepped out of the bathroom and looked around the room. There was a comfortable couch in the living area, but it couldn’t possibly be long enough for him to sleep on and I couldn’t imagine an Alpha taking the couch.

“Right here with you, if you don’t mind.” He grinned and walked over to the kitchen where he started taking things out of the fridge. “Hungry?” He tilted his head to one side for a moment before returning his attention to the contents of his fridge.

“No thanks.” I walked around and finally came to a halt in front of the large windows that overlooked what seemed to be their training grounds. Their warriors looked good, and from the looks of the numbers, he had a large pack. If Eli decided to make trouble, they would probably get rid of him easily. What was I thinking? I wasn’t going to stay around here long enough for Eli to find out anything.

“Okay,” I heard something start to fry as Sebastian’s voice drew my attention back. I seriously had to start paying attention. “Steaks it is then.” I could smell the meat burning and, without thinking, took over from him. I was a pretty good cook, even if I had to say so myself. I wasn’t the best of waitresses, so, that’s how I mostly made up for it, I guess.

“So,” Sebastian took a seat at the counter opposite the stove and I was acutely aware that he was watching my every move. “What is your deepest darkest secret?” He grinned and I rolled my eyes. There was no way I was going to tell him!

“I don’t have any,” I answered way too fast and he lifted one eyebrow, looking amused.

“Everybody has secrets. I’ll start. I’m a widower.” I could see the pain in his eyes and my heart went out to him. I wanted to ask what happened, but he saved me the embarrassment. She was killed in a rogue attack.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “There seems to be a lot of that going around.” I didn’t want to talk about rogue attacks. Dinner was almost ready and I was surprised when he started setting the table. It made me realize again just how much Eli and I didn’t fit together. I was a homebody, and he wasn’t. He loved living the high life and showing off. I didn’t. I brought the food to the table and we ate in silence except for the one time Sebastian smiled, nodding in approval of my cooking skills. I was surprised again when he offered to do the dishes after dinner. There were always omegas around Eli to do everything for him! It was ridiculous, but that’s the way things were. The world I had been living in was pretty straightforward. I worked six days a week. Twelve-hour shifts and got drunk on my own in my room on my day off. Easy. There were no pack events or ridiculous Alpha council meetings to attend.

“Earth to Leah,” Sebastian frowned as his voice broke through my thoughts. “Hey, I can stay on the beta floor if you want. If it will make you more comfortable. I just thought that if I stayed here, you wouldn't be alone. Look, Leah, I’m a nice guy. I know you have been living on the run for goddess knows how long, but I haven’t done anything to make you think otherwise. I just want to get to know you, and I want the chance for you to get to know me. If then you don’t want me.” I held up my hand to silence him and took a deep breath. I needed time to figure out where the hell my car was in any case. A couple of days of living like this could only be good for me. Besides, it would make it harder for Eli to find me if I disappeared off the radar for a little while. The pack would hide my scent. There were so many reasons for me to stay. “How about a move?” Sebastian got up and started to page through his extensive collection. When the intro to some silly rom-com started to play, I burst out laughing.

“What?” He actually looked a little offended as I couldn’t stop laughing and tried to explain that I was expecting a thriller or action movie. “Yeah, well, guys can also watch rom-coms, can’t we?” He grinned and we settled in front of the television. I didn’t realize how tired I was until he picked me up and carried me over to the bed. I tried to open my eyes and complain, but I didn’t have the strength and when the soft fabric of the pillow touched the side of my face, I cuddled up underneath the warm blankets and drifted off.

“She hasn’t woken up yet. I’m starting to get worried.” I heard his voice softly talking and didn’t move or even open my eyes. What the hell? Who was he talking to?

“Sebastian, from what we could find out she’s been on the run for a while,” Emily sighed. So, they did check up on me! My only option was to keep still and listen. “We haven’t found any signs of her pack,” Emily continued. “It couldn’t have been easy for her on the road as a rogue.” She sounded sympathetic. “If she’s not awake by tonight, then we can call the doctor, okay?”

“Tonight?!” I jumped up and looked out of the windows only to realize it was already midday! “Oh, goddess!” I jumped out of bed feeling my heart race. I had never slept this late in my entire damn life! “Why didn’t you wake me?” I glared at Sebastian before rummaging through my bag.

“Hey, hey, easy.” He moved fast and I wondered how he did that as he helped me upright. “You only slept for as long as your body needed.” His hand stroked over my cheek and I felt a spark of electricity jump through to my privates! Seriously?! Could my body be more freaking obvious?!

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean. I” I looked at Emily who was losing the battle against her laughter and a shy smile burst out all over my face.

“Brother, did you really put the poor girl into bed with her clothes on?” Emily winked and disappeared into the lift before Sebastian or I could say anything, leaving the two of us alone and staring at each other. I grabbed my bag and rushed to the bathroom to clean up. Sleeping dirty in his bed was probably not the best thing I had ever done, but unfortunately, by the time I walked out of the bathroom, the bed was already made. I still hadn’t seen a single omega on this floor and was starting to wonder if this pack even had them.

“Do you feel up to some company?” He smiled and I nodded. Anything would be better than the awkward silence that suddenly fell between us. As we stepped out of the lift on the bottom floor, some kids came running up to us and Sebastian went down on all fours, while the smallest of them, a young girl, jumped onto his back and shouted “Go, horsy, go!” Emily appeared out of nowhere and hooked her arm in mine.

“That is my youngest.” She sighed. “She just loves her uncle. Don’t you think Sebastian would make a great father?” Emily laughed.

“Okay, okay, I get the picture.” I laughed with her as we walked to their dining area. They were clearly a very close-knit family, and I was going to be very sad to leave them, but I had no other choice. There was no way I would be able to stay.