Chapter 13

Hannah's POV

I sat in my brother’s room; I finally got him to sleep. He broke out in a fever, and he wouldn’t stop trembling. He was crying as I held him in my arms. My heart broke for him, and I didn’t know what to do. The doctor made an appearance as well and said that his condition seemed to be worsening. His current treatment was no longer working, and they weren’t sure what else to do for him.

I haven’t stopped crying since my father left. I was too afraid to leave Liam’s room. I held myself tightly; pressing my knees to my chest as I curled up in his bed.

“How’s your brother?” Sebastian asked from the doorway.

I lifted my body weakly and sniffled.

“Not good,” I said, my voice quivering. “He’s getting worse.”

Sebastian looked sad for a moment, but then something dangerous flashed through his eyes. it nearly gave me a chill. I remembered how cold he was acting earlier; not that I should be surprised. He was was cruel wolf king. I shouldn’t expect anything more or less from him.

He said nothing. He began to turn to walk away.

“Why did you come?” I asked, stopping him. “When I was talking with my father; why did you come?”

“I was just passing by,” he muttered. “I heard some of the shit he was saying, and it pissed me off.”

I wanted to ask more questions, but Liam stirred in his sleep, and it took my focus off Sebastian. I was way too worried to ask anything more or continue this conversation. I was just so tired. I thought about what my father was saying, how he had the power to exile Liam and me from the pack and turn us into rogues. If I didn’t do what he wanted, he would tell Sebastian that I was just a substitute bride. If Sebastian finds out the truth, nothing is stopping him from killing me on the spot.

I couldn’t go against my father anymore.

“I need a favor,” I said, trying to keep my voice sounding confident.

Sebastian rose his eyebrows and kept his eyes locked on mine.

“I need some money,” I told him.

“Of course, you do,” Sebastian muttered. His face was beginning to turn red, and his lip curled up in disgust as he stared down at me. I had never seen him look at me with such hate before. “I’m not surprised that’s all you want from me. You’re a woman who loves money, after all.”

I felt my wolf’s discomfort in the pit of my stomach. His words weren’t sitting right with her. I was in no mood to deal with this right now. My brother was dying and if I didn’t get my father and Naomi that money, he will die for sure.

“So what?” I said in return. “Money can’t be as cold and quick-changing as some people.”

I glared up at him as I stood my ground. He was in front of me quickly and forcefully. I felt the heat of his aura nearly burning through my flesh. I trembled under his gaze and my breath got caught in my throat. As I went to take a step back, his long and limber fingers were around my throat and cutting off my air supply.

I felt the color draining from my features as I gasped out for air.

“If you don’t want to live anymore, I can kill you tonight,” he said through a clenched jaw.

I felt Nora’s heartbreaking.

I trembled uncontrollably as he squeezed harder; but then he released me, and I nearly fell to the ground. I cried out in pain as I coughed, trying to grasp as much air as I could. I coughed and rubbed my throat; tears ran down my face and I bit my lip to keep from sobbing.

I feared him.

Because I knew this man would kill me in an instant.

(Sebastian)

The next morning, Sebastian had left early before Hannah had woken up. He allowed her to spend the night in her brother’s room; so, he slept alone last night. He was feeling agitated and annoyed because of Hannah. He thought she was growing fond of him and enjoying her life at the palace, but she was only using him for her own gain.

She was a greedy girl and he felt foolish for allowing himself to get close to her. Even if it was just for a moment, he let himself be fooled.

“Do you honestly believe she’s like that?” Eric asked, sounding unconvinced. “She makes you feel something you’ve never felt before. Why can’t you just be happy for once?”

Sebastian ignored his wolf, still feeling infuriated as he thought about his last conversation with Hannah. He almost snapped her neck and tore her throat out on the spot.

This couldn’t have been what the elder was foreseeing for him. The only reason he married Steven’s daughter was that it was foreseen by the elder wolf. It was a prophecy.

He decided to go to the elder wolf and ask for her to change the prophecy. Steven wasted no time; the elder lived across the kingdom and if he wanted to get there early, he had to leave early.

Sebastian knocked on Evelyn’s door and she answered quickly. She didn’t look surprised that Sebastian was standing there. Evelyn could see glimpses of the future, which is how she could foresee his marriage to Hannah. It’s also how she knew that Sebastian would be visiting her on this day.

Sebastian bowed to Evelyn; it was in Sebastian’s good consciousness to show respect to elder wolves. Besides Beta Arnold, Evelyn was another wolf that Sebastian had grown to trust. It didn’t hurt that she has been with him since he was a child.

“I’ve come for a favor,” Sebastian said, keeping his tone low.

Evelyn gave him a small smile and stepped aside for him to enter her home.

“It’s about your luna,” she said before he had the chance of speaking.

Sebastian nodded.

“She’s a greedy gold-digger. She only wants money and favors. She’s not interested in a real marriage,” Sebastian explained. Evelyn just stared at him with a small frown, confused at his words. “I’ve made a mistake for allowing myself to be fooled by her.”

” Sebastian…” Evelyn said, her voice was calm. “When have I ever steered you in the wrong direction?”

“Never… but…”

“Exactly,” Evelyn interrupted. “My vision for you is coming to light and you are too blinded by these misunderstandings to see it. You are greatly gifted by her presence. Does she not calm your wolf as promised?”

“She does,” Sebastian answered. “Which is what worries me the most. She has a lot of control over me already. I can’t be vulnerable to a woman who only wants me because of my title as king.”

“Is that truly what you think?” Evelyn asked, worry in her gaze. “That she is only seeing you as a king, and nothing more? That you are acting out of vulnerability to her because you can’t control yourself? Do you think you have no control?”

“Please, Evelyn…” Sebastian said, practically pleading to her. “I can’t take the chance. I can’t do it anymore.”

“Why do you say this? It’s only been a short time,” Evelyn said in return.

“Please,” Sebastian said again. “Just send her away. Get rid of the prophecy. There must be another way...”

“Now, I may not ask for a lot, but I am asking you for this one favor as well,” the Evelyn said. Sebastian stayed silent, listening to her every word as he often did. “Don’t be too quick to send her away.”

“What?” Sebastian asked.

“I know things are difficult now. But just wait a little longer; clarity will fall upon you and you will understand the whole picture.”

“Elder, please. Enough with these riddles. I need to be free from this woman,” Sebastian pleaded once more.

“This girl who extremely important to the fate of werewolves. If you care anything for werewolves, and your kingdom, you will keep your luna determinedly.”

…

Amy’s POV

Amy sat at her vanity, in her room, as Naomi brushed out her long blonde hair. Amy winced at the roughness of Naomi’s hands, but she said nothing. She couldn’t stop thinking about Hannah and all the things she has just because she was forced to become the wolf king’s luna. All that stuff should have been Amy’s, but instead, she’s left with nothing except a boyfriend that smacks her when he’s angry. It wasn’t fair that Hannah was being treated like royalty and Amy was being treated like she was nothing.

She felt red in the face and her wolf was becoming agitated at the situation.

“Deep breaths, my love,” Naomi said, reading Amy’s face in the mirror.

“It just isn’t fair,” Amy muttered. “She’d have nothing if it wasn’t for me and she can’t even give me clothes?”

“She will get what is coming to her,” Naomi said.

Her calmness was almost chilling. But she met Amy’s eyes in the mirror and gave her a quick wink.

“Why isn’t she dead yet?” Amy heard herself muttering, folding her arms across her chest. All she wanted was for Hannah to just not be around anymore. She was sick of hearing her name and seeing her presence. She wanted her gone. Once and for all.

“Soon, dear,” Naomi said, her voice lowering and her tone darkening. “Soon, she will die; and everything she has will be yours.”

Amy blinked a few times at her mother; she wasn’t sure if she was serious or not.

“What are you going to do?” Amy asked.