The Confrontation

Mona's POV:

"Do you always run away from women you sleep with?"

He stood still, his back facing me after I spoke. The tension between us hung sharp as a blade.

After a brief moment of silence, he slowly turned to face me.

"Excuse me?" His deep voice dripped with feigned confusion.

"You heard me loud and clear, Mr. Sebastian." I kept my voice firm. "Do. you. always run away from women you sleep with?"

"I definitely heard you the first time, Mona." A soft laugh escaped him, layered with anger. He rubbed his temple. "I'd hoped you'd think through what you're saying and watch your mouth instead of repeating it."

"Watch my mouth?" I raised an eyebrow, stepping toward him. "You literally bent me in every way last night and didn't even have the decency to—"

"Decency?" He let out a mocking laugh, dragging a hand down his face. "I can't believe this right now. What was I supposed to do? Marry you the next morning?"

"Of course not, but at least—"

"Hey, hey, hey." He raised his index finger in warning, glancing around before stepping closer. "Look, Mona. That is your name, right?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at him in utter disgust, my eyes narrowing as he closed the distance.

"Oh, now you're suddenly quiet?" A low, humorless laugh rumbled from his chest.

I still didn't answer. I kept my face straight and stared the bastard down.

"Fine. Suit yourself then." He gave an unbothered shrug, then raised his index finger again. "Look, whatever happened last night ended there. It was obviously a one-night thing. Whatever you were hoping for after, is certainly not happening.”

Hoping for? I couldn't believe this. Who did this man think he was?

"I won't forgive myself if anyone in this household finds out what happened between us, so please." He bent his head to whisper in my ear. "Put an end to this delusion and pretend we never crossed paths."

My eyebrows shot up and my mouth fell open. He was trying to paint me as some desperate bitch? Did he think I was going to beg?

I placed my hand on his chest and pushed him away from my ear.

"Consider it done, Alpha Sebastian." I forced a smile as I shoved him back.

His face flickered with shock. I didn't know why—this was what he wanted, wasn't it?

Just then, heavy boots echoed from behind us. Sebastian immediately straightened his suit, cleared his throat, and smoothed the shock from his face. Like he was putting on a front for someone.

I turned almost immediately to see who had suddenly made him feign composure.

It was him.

Kade.

His brows were furrowed with confusion as he stepped closer to us.

"Is... everything okay?" He let out a half-hearted laugh, moving until he stood between us.

"Yes, son." Sebastian answered before I could even open my mouth. "Everything is perfectly fine. I was only showing Keisha's friend here directions around the family house."

"Directions, hm?" Kade said, unconvinced, his gaze shifting from his father to me.

"Yeah. Directions." I confirmed with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Hm, okay then." He turned back to me. "I believe my father has been of help?"

"Not exactly." I shot Sebastian a dirty look before facing Kade, a soft smile spreading across my face the moment my gaze met his charming green eyes.

"I figured." He laughed—this one seemingly genuine—before glancing back at his father. "If you don't mind, Father, I'll take it from here."

"O-of course." Sebastian cleared his throat, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he slowly turned and walked away.

I and Kade didn't speak until he was no longer in sight. The moment he disappeared, Kade turned to me.

"He wasn't giving you directions, was he?" His voice was low, a quiet laugh rumbling in his chest as he stepped closer.

I shrugged in response. I couldn't exactly tell him what his father and I were really discussing.

"It's fine." He tucked a strand of hair that was draping over my face behind my ear. "My father can be quite... invasive. Don’t let him bother you.”

"Sure." I nodded, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"So... you hungry yet?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Starving, actually." I rubbed my stomach and let out a soft laugh.

"We're definitely the only ones not at the dinner table." He said, stretching out his hand. "Shall we?"

I gave a soft smile as I laced my fingers with his and shortly after, he led me into the dining room.

The moment we entered, the chatter in the room seized and everyone's faces darted toward us. The first person I noticed was Sebastian. He sat at the head of the table, directly facing the dining room entrance, his gaze piercing through us so intensely I could almost feel it.

Keisha's voice cut through the silence. "I was almost beginning to think you two wouldn't come."

"How could I possibly afford to miss my bestie's farewell dinner?" I laughed, heading toward an empty chair.

Before I could pull it out, Kade stopped me.

"Let me." That damn smirk was back as he pulled out the chair. My cheeks flushed red as I sat down.

My eyes met Keisha's across the table. She shot me a suspicious glance, smiling as she ate.

I was still giggling at her when Kade bent down and whispered in my ear.

"And if you do need directions back to your chambers after dinner, I'd be more than happy to help."