Chapter 128

Hannah

“I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised you wanted me to be the one to take you,” Henry said; we were a few hours on the road and for the most part, the car ride has been quiet.

Wrenley has been sleeping soundly in her car seat and I haven’t been wanting to disturb her. Plus, the less I have to talk to Henry the better. Just because I was going with him across the kingdom, didn’t mean I had to enjoy his company or speak with him. I found him to be manipulative and a liar; that wasn’t somebody I wanted to be around and that certainly wasn’t somebody I wanted my daughter around.

“I didn’t think you would tell me her location unless you showed me yourself,” I told him, gazing out the window.

Of course, I probably could have found her location myself. But we were on a timeline. It would take at least a day to get there, some time to get the information out of her, and then another day to get back. By the time we returned it would be the full moon and it would already be cutting it close.

“You’re right,” he said with a light chuckle. “I wouldn’t have told you anything about her if I wasn’t the one taking you. I’m glad you came to your senses.”

“Let’s get one thing straight Henry,” I said, pulling my gaze from the window to glare at him. “Sebastian is my husband, and he is the one I love. Regardless of if we were fated mates, Sebastian is the one I choose and I would choose him all over again if I had to. I’m doing this for him and my brother. You are just an accessory. So, keep the talking to the minimum and drive the damn car.”

He said nothing as he continued driving. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and I saw that his knuckles were growing white. It probably wasn’t the best to aggravate him while he was driving with my daughter in the car. I peeked in the back and saw that she was unbothered and still fast asleep. So, my little outburst didn’t wake her.

“Why did you bring her?” Henry asked.

“Why is that any of your business?”

“Is it because the full moon is approaching, and you’re worried his madness will return?”

“What are you insinuating?” I asked, eyeing him carefully. I saw the smirk appear on his lips.

“Are you afraid that he’ll hurt her?”

“I trust my husband. He would never do anything to hurt her or me. That isn’t the reason why I brought her. I brought her because with everything happening around us, I worry about leaving her at the palace for more than a few hours at a time. I’d rather have her with me, so I know for sure she’s safe.”

“Do you though?” Henry asked. “Do you know she’s safe?”

“Stop the car,” I demanded.

“We still got hours before we are there.”

“I mean it, Henry,” I demanded again. “Stop the car!”

…

Sebastian

The pain was still coursing through Sebastian’s body, even after Hannah had left. He managed to hide it from her for a little while, so she thought he was getting a handle on it. But as soon as she walked out the door, he let out a low growl. He hated being weak, especially in front of his luna. His gamma warriors and his alphas saw the pain he was in and watched as he fell to the ground. That was something he was never going to live down, but he made a promise to himself that he wasn’t going to allow that to keep him down.

The pain had returned to him a few days prior. Gemma had given him a potion to help keep it at bay, but eventually, it started to not work. It was gradual at first, a headache here and there, maybe a body ache. But then the fiery feeling of the underworld returned to him, and he could hardly keep himself from doubling over. He felt his hair being ripped from his skull and his skin being torn apart.

Whatever was happening to Liam was bad and they didn’t have much more time. Liam was dying and he feared that it might happen sooner than they think.

The pain started to come down some and he was finally able to sit up in bed just as he heard a knock on his door.

“Come in,” he growled, wondering who could be bothering him right now. He wanted to get some research done and figure out a way to get the portal to the underworld open.

Valerie poked her head into his room; she was carrying a platter with a teacup and a kettle.

“Luna Queen asked me to bring you some tea,” Valerie said as she stepped into the room. Sebastian couldn’t help the faint smile on his lips; even when she wasn’t here, she was still taking care of him.

“Put it on the table,” he told her.

She nodded her head and strolled across the room to put the tray on the table. Once it was placed, she turned to him.

“Is there anything else you need from me, Alpha King?”

“No,” he said. “Thank you, Valerie.”

Hannah had mentioned that he should be nicer to his servants, so he’s been adding phrases like “please” and “thank you” at the end of his sentences to them. Valerie seemed to appreciate it because she smiled at his words. She bowed her head and went out the door.

Sebastian didn’t wait around much longer; he slid out of bed and put some clothes on. He took a couple of sips of the tea because he knew it would appease Hannah. He soon, left his room so he could head to his study. He wasn’t expecting Gemma to be lurking outside the study door though. She looked nervous about something, and she was pacing back and forth, mumbling something under her breath.

She paused once she noticed Sebastian approaching.

“I can’t stop thinking about your foolishness,” she said quickly; he rose his brows, unsure of what she meant. “Opening the portal to the underworld. It’s dangerous and stupid. It could get everyone in this kingdom, including yourself, killed.”

“That’s why I need to figure out a way to open it without releasing the vampires,” Sebastian said. “It was opened once, and we survived; it can be opened again.”

“It was stupid luck the first time,” Gemma said. “We don’t know if we will have the same luck this time.”

“The moon goddess was the one who created this portal. There has to be a way to open it without releasing them. We just need to figure it out and we will, regardless of if you help us or not. You’re either with us, or you’re against us.”

“I’m trying to protect you and myself…” Gemma tried to explain.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Hannah found another witch that might be able to help. She’s going there now and asking for her assistance. So, you aren’t needed anymore, Gemma. Feel free to return to your home at any time.”

It seemed the color in her face had drained at the mention of another witch.

“Another witch?” Gemma asked. “What other witch knows how to open the portal?”

“It’s unclear if she can open the portal or not, but she said she can help with my madness. We know my madness is connected to the underworld, so she might know how to open the portal.”

“Who is this witch?” Gemma asked; her voice softening slightly.

“Hannah mindlinked me earlier and said her name was Lila?”

She gasped and took a step back as she processed what was told to her. She was no longer looking at Sebastian but at her own hands; they were trembling. She looked terrified and the look worried Sebastian. Something was wrong; both he and his wolf could feel it. Gemma’s aura was darkening, and he could see the fear that was lingering in her eyes.

“Gemma?” Sebastian said, trying to get her attention back. “What is it?”

Gemma finally looked up at him.

“You need to get her back; I fear your luna is in huge trouble.”