Part 2

/Sebastian’s POV/

I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends of it for what seemed like the tenth time that morning—a strange sensation coiled in the pit of my stomach, the restlessness spreading to my legs. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Wyatt—my beta and best friend tighten his grip on the steering wheel. 

“Seb…Is everything alright?”

I grunted in response, still keeping my gaze towards the oak trees outside the window.

“Should we make a stop?”

“No need. It’s already 8.30.” I cleared my throat. “I told Oliver we would be there by 9 sharp.”

“Five minutes won’t hurt.”

I pinned him with a look.

“Ugh! Fine, we won't stop.” Wyatt gave a timid smile.

“Shall I play some music?” He messed around with the system as I leaned further into the seat. Wyatt was the designated driver because he insisted on driving my brand-new car; also, he had to be there since my personal assistant took a day off. He would take any chance to escape rather than stay back and help Nora, my wife and Pack Luna with duties. 

New Beginnings started playing in the background, and I let the music wash over me as my eyes clenched shut. I took a deep breath.

It's probably the nerves of stepping into new territory. That’s all. 

***

“You go ahead! I’ll park the car and see you soon.” Wyatt motioned towards the gate as we halted right across the pack house.

I nodded, stepping outside with a laptop bag, pushing the sunglasses up my nose. A meeting inside the pack house wasn’t unheard of, but it was still unusual. Then again, on our way I accessed their territory, and it was a quarter of what Silverstone owned. 

As soon as I rushed to the bottom of the stairs, a man with blonde hair greeted me with a huge smile on his face. Too cheerful for nine in the morning, I thought, but politely nodded. Carter—beta to Pack Alpha Oliver. 

“I hope it was a pleasant journey, Alpha Sebastian.”

“Cannot complain.” I swallowed dryly, climbing the stairs. 

A chill in the air that hadn’t been there before started to nip at my skin in an unfriendly, scratching way. The bright, warm natural sunlight filtered through the windows, the hair on the back of my neck standing up.

The coil in my stomach travelled through my veins, spreading to my fingertips and making my palms sweat. I curled my fists by my side, jaw clenched tight as Carter pushed open the door.

There was a sharp ringing in my ears as the beta said something, drowning out the noise. I inhaled as much oxygen as I could deep into my lungs. Holding it in, then exhaling, my shoulders squared. 

My feet froze. It felt as if someone had violently sunk their claws into my chest, ripped it open and squeezed my heart.

Anne. 

The thrum from before, the vibrations running through my body, the heat scalding down my spine. Everything made sense. My dormant Alpha suddenly started clawing at the walls of my chest. 

My omega. 

Ever since the news of her passing reached my pack, I also lost my wolf. All these years, my Alpha had retreated into a shell, cold and unresponsive while mourning the bond. 

She looked slightly different, more mature. Gone were the bangs, replaced with shiny dark black hair cascading over her shoulder like waves. As she squinted at me, her head tilted, and a ray of light landed on her face. It highlighted the honey sheen of her eyes, glassy and deep. 

My stomach oddly started to flutter in the tense moment when I saw Oliver take a step further in my direction. 

“Welcome to BloodMoon Pack, Alpha Sebastian. We are so delighted to have you here...”

Anne took a step forward. My eyes immediately met a pair of dark brown ones, iris blown wide and unfocused as she followed Oliver.  

Claim her. Mark her. 

My sharp canines dug into my sides, eyes narrowing in on the faint trace of her mark peeking through the blazer. It was all wrong—her smell, the confused look in her eyes.

“Mate”, my Alpha growled. Pheromones radiated in the air, a persistent itch in my gums to sink my teeth into her again.

“Lily! Run!” Oliver came to stand in between us, his hand motioning towards the door while he latched his eyes on me. 

“Anne!” 

The omega shook her head, firmly standing her ground while she met my eyes, guarded and fierce. She slowly took another step in my direction, both hands in the air. 

“Carter! Take her away!” Oliver yelled to the beta who tried to take hold of her hand when I snarled. The thought of someone else touching her, taking her away, evoked something in my Alpha. 

“Mine!” 

The voice was enough to make him halt in his tracks, the command in it difficult for betas or lower-rank wolves to cross. He retreated, his hands curled by his sides. 

“Lily, you need to go!” Oliver calmly whispered, facing me. 

“P-Please let me handle this, Oliver.”

The omega turned to face me, and I saw her hold out her right hand, waiting for me to shake it. My whole body turned hot, and I started to feel a warm feeling lower in my gut, settling a little south of my gut. 

“Alpha Sebastian?” She gave me a strained smile. “Nice to meet you. I am Lily Matthews.”

The name was enough to snap my Alpha. I swallowed my thoughts and took a step towards her to grab the extended hand. As I reached for her, it felt like I could feel electricity spark between our palms, inches apart. 

I moved my eyes from our halted hands to look into her eyes. The unfamiliarity behind them was like a harsh slap to my face. Taking a step back, I collided against the wall, blood rushing to my face. 

“Excuse me!” I dashed out of the room, not before forcefully shoving my shoulder against Carter. The rage was still curdling in my belly, my steps frantic, as I hurriedly descended the stairs and into the nearest washroom. 

***

Not Anne. Lily Matthews. The omega introduced herself so casually. There was no flicker of recognition behind those eyes, as if she had no idea who I was. 

Four years ago, I convinced myself that the ache in my chest would eventually dull. I had gotten used to a life without her, the sting of her betrayal eventually dulling, but I was still left with residual anger. 

I had so many questions but no one to answer them. And I got used to it. I had slowly focused on my pack responsibilities, building a life around her absence.

I braced both hands on the bathroom sink, staring at my reflection, half expecting my eyes to be still silver. They weren't. My wolf had retreated the second Lily had introduced herself. 

Still, I could feel my wolf pacing.

Why would my wolf recognise her if she’s not Anne? Why would my Alpha come back? 

Anne’s alive. She's alive. That’s her. I heard my Alpha again. 

I arranged for a funeral of a woman who apparently never needed one. All these days I tried to convince my dormant wolf that her being gone meant the bond went with it too.

It never did. All these years, the bond hadn't been broken. 

***