CHAPTER 4: ALPHA SEBASTIAN

The moment Devin invited him to join him on the trip to the Ashwood pack, Sebastian had gotten the feeling that something was about to happen. Something that would change his entire life… Normally he wouldn’t have accepted the invitation, but the feeling was so strong that he had no choice but to agree. And he was right. Because standing right in front of him, looking like a real life angel, was his mate. His very own mate! 

With her golden hair and blue eyes that were filled with a mischievous glint, the woman in front of him was absolutely stunning. But for him, her appearance wouldn’t have mattered because she was his other half. The one woman he vowed to cherish and protect for the rest of his life. The one woman he had been waiting for his whole life. And finally he found her!

As Sebastian saw the longing look in her eyes as she gazed at him, he felt as if his life had found a new meaning. As he got lost in her sapphire orbs, he felt as if time itself had stopped and they were alone in their own world. He took a step towards her, eager to embrace his mate as she did the same. But then she paused, a pained look crossing her beautiful face, and Sebastian froze, a strange feeling gripping his heart. He just knew that something was wrong. Horribly wrong…

As he watched his mate, who took a step away from him, he sensed what he had missed until then. Her tantalizing scent of honeysuckle was mixed with something foreign. Something that was… revolting? And then he realized what it meant. Her scent was mixed with that of another male and that meant… she was already marked by another man! 

Sebastian felt his heart drop to the floor as he stared at the woman that was meant to be his forever. But she wasn’t. It felt as if he was stabbed in the heart by a dagger and with each moment; it was twisting more and more until breathing became impossible. Why? Why wouldn’t she wait for him?

Though his first instinct was to rush to his mate and tell her she was his, he took a deep breath and an indifferent mask slid on his face. After all, he was used to stopping his emotions from showing, anyway. 

For a moment, he remembered the way she had looked at him with longing. But then he shook it off. It must have all been inside his head because she was marked already and she couldn’t feel their bond like he did. If he let her know he was her mate, she may feel guilty that she didn’t wait for him. He shouldn’t let her go through any pain, even if she wouldn’t be his. But for him, she was his and he will always protect her, even from himself. If she was happy with her chosen mate, so be it…

As he decided to let her go and just to watch over her his entire life, his wolf Caleb roared to life. 

“No! She is our mate! We need her! We have been waiting for her forever. We can’t let her go!” Caleb protested, trying to take over. His desperation grew with each passing moment he couldn’t get to his mate, and Sebastian could feel the beginning of a pounding headache with his wolf’s restlessness.

Sebastian forced Caleb to back down and gritted his teeth.

‘Calm down, Caleb! Now is not the time!’

‘Calm down?! You are asking me to give up our mate and you want me to calm down?!’

‘Do you think I want to give her up?’ Sebastian snarled, and when he sensed Caleb listening, he continued. “But what option do I have since she already chose another man? If she chose him and did not wait for her mate, it means she must love him that much and that means she must be happy with him. If we care for her even a bit, how could we try to take that away from her? Shouldn’t we let her live her life as she wants?’

He could sense Caleb’s unease at his words and his desire to be with his mate. But ultimately, just like him, Caleb also wanted their mate to be happy. 

As Devin and Sebastian reached Alpha Gavin, he welcomed them with an excited smile. After greeting them both, he turned to Sebastian. 

“It’s a pleasant surprise to see you, Alpha Sebastian. I had heard you were out of your pack for a while.”

“Yes. I just returned yesterday. When Devin asked me to join him, I thought it would be good to have a visit. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not! It’s a pleasure to have you here! In fact, my daughter had actually asked me to invite you here,” Gavin said before turning with a smile. 

As Sebastian watched his mate walking towards them with a nervous smile, he realised that Gavin had beckoned her over and that she was his daughter that he mentioned. At the close proximity of the woman that he had lost, Sebastian felt the smile on his face slipping away. But dear Gods, it was torture to have her this close, knowing he could never have her!

“This is Claire, my daughter. Claire, this is Alpha Devin,” Gavin said pointing to Devin, who nodded his head and turned to Sebastian. “And Alpha Sebastian.”

“Hello. Nice to meet you, Alpha Devin and Alpha Sebastian. Hope you have a nice time at this party.”

Hearing her voice was like listening to an angel singing. Sebastian closed his eyes unknowingly, pleasure and agony warring inside his mind. Then he opened his eyes, a melancholic smile on his face.

“Nice to meet you, Claire…”

Sebastian turned to look at Devin, who appeared to be staring intensely at someone and he turned to see a dark-haired woman standing beside Claire with a blush staining her cheeks. He raised his brows, realising that his friend probably had a crush on the woman and if her demeanor was anything to go by, she returned his interest. 

Soon, Alpha Gavin left to mingle with the others and the rest of them started talking to each other.

“Alpha Sebastian, Alpha Devin, it’s an honor to have you in our pack. If it is not too much to ask, could you stay here for a few days?” Claire asked suddenly, making Sebastian stare at her with surprise. Though she asked Devin too, she was gazing at him. As if only his response mattered to her. For her, he was just a stranger. So why would she ask him to stay? 

Sebastian hesitated, wondering if he could agree to her demand. Was he strong enough to be in her presence when he couldn’t have her in his life?

“It will be great for all of our packs to mingle with each other. We can even let our warriors have practice sessions and mock fights to learn about each other’s strategies. Sebastian, you will stay, right?” Devin asked, his tone implying that he would not take no for an answer. His gaze was constantly straying towards a certain dark-haired beauty, making it apparent that he was not planning to stay for any pack relations like he claimed. The sly bastard!

‘Mate! I want to stay with our mate!’ Caleb, who had been silently sulking so far, suddenly cried enthusiastically and Sebastian sighed. 

He looked back at Claire, who was staring at him with her bright eyes full of hope, a sweet smile on her red lips. Being around her soothed his heart, and he wished he could embrace that peaceful feeling forever. How could he say no to her? But it was not an easy decision.

Sebastian opened his mouth as Claire stared at him eagerly, waiting for his answer, hoping he would agree. But before he could speak, loud music blared in the hall, signalling that it was time to dance. Soon, couples started moving towards the centre of the dance floor, making them step back to give space for the dancing couples. 

Claire let out a sigh, disappointment welling inside her at the interruption. He didn’t answer this time, but it didn’t mean she had to give up. She will have her chance again…

Claire turned to Eunice, and noticing her blushing red like a tomato, she wiggled her brows at her before nodding towards Devin, a teasing smile on her face. She could sense that Alpha Devin had an interest towards Eunice and she approved it because Alpha Devin was a good guy. Eunice was a sweet soul who deserved the best, and she had the feeling that Alpha Devin was the perfect match for her friend. She was certainly going to play matchmaker for those two!

“Alpha Devin, my friend Eunice, hasn’t had her first dance yet. If you don’t mind, shall you have a dance with her?” Claire asked, making Eunice gape at her while she turned even redder than before. Alpha Devin, on the other hand, looked at Claire as if she was an angel who descended from heaven. 

“Of course!” He replied gleefully and turned to Eunice, and to Claire’s delight, the tough Alpha had a reddish tint on his cheeks as he stared at her friend. How adorable!

“M-miss Eunice… Shall I have the honor of having your first dance?” He asked, and Claire held back a squeal. He even stuttered!

“O- of course!” Eunice whispered, looking everywhere but at Devin.

Alpha Devin took a deep breath, looking as if he was preparing to enter a war. Then he marched towards Eunice, raising his hand towards her. Claire ignored the slight tremble in his hands and smiled as Eunice placed her hand on his. As they both walked towards the stage and started dancing, Claire sighed, feeling happy for her friend. Eunice deserved this…

Hearing someone clearing their throat, Claire realised she was now alone with Sebastian.

“Miss Claire, shall I have the honor of having your first dance?” Sebastian blurted out, making both of them stare at each other in surprise.

“Please call me Claire,” she said before smiling. 

Claire raised her hand towards Sebastian, intending to agree to his request. She couldn’t wait to dance with her mate…

“Claire, baby! Where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere!” 

Claire stiffened, hearing the grating voice of Liam, and turned to see him standing there with a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on his stupid face. She noticed him sending a dirty glare towards Sebastian before marching towards them and promptly dragging her towards him as if she was a property that he was securing. Claire, who had been having such a peaceful time with Sebastian, got irritated with Liam’s arrogance. Without thinking, she pushed his hand away and took a step back, making Liam stare at her with shock. Did she just spoil her plan of revenge before she even started? Now what?