Chapter 28

Hannah’s POV

I thought that would be my last encounter with Sebastian’s ex-girlfriend, Emily. She kept giving me side eyes for the rest of the night. I was thankful that Sebastian didn’t go back over there to speak with her.

The look on Sabastian’s face was something I have never seen before. It was like he had seen a ghost. I couldn’t explain the rage I was feeling but Nora wanted to rip that woman’s throat out.

The way she looked at him and touched him; the way she pressed her body against his and kissed his face. She kissed the area of skin that was revealed through his mask, and I clenched my fists as I watched their interaction. The worst of it was that he didn’t pull away from her or say anything. He let her do it.

He didn’t mention her for the rest of the night, and I didn’t bring her up. I just let my rage simmer for a moment longer before deciding to let it go.

The next morning, Sebastian seemed back to his normal self. He didn’t seem outraged and manic due to the full moon which came as a relief to me. I still wanted to know about the scars under the mask, but I chose not to say anything for fear that it would set him off again.

We ate breakfast as we normally do, with minimal discussion. Caroline came into the dining hall with a weird expression that I had never seen before.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her as she approached me.

She was holding a newspaper in her hands, and she looked nervous. She stared over at Sebastian briefly before handing me the paper.

It was an official statement made by Emily herself. She must have connections in the media to get a statement out that quickly.

It read:

It’s from my understanding that the newest Luna Queen, Hannah, is only after my beloved Sebastian for his money. It’s the only thing that makes sense as to why she would want to marry such a vicious beast. She’s a gold-digger and I won’t stand idly by as I watch her take everything away from my ex-husband. She’s plotting to kill him and I’m glad I returned just in time to stop her.

Her ex-husband?

Was Emily really once married to Sebastian? I looked up at him from across the table and he was watching me curiously. He was wondering what it was that got me so distraught, and I could hardly speak to answer his confused gaze. He stood up without saying anything to me and strolled closer. I felt every fiber of my being pulsating with each step he took closer to me. His eyes were darkening and for a moment I feared he was going to lose control again.

I swallowed hard as he ripped the paper from my grip, nearly cutting my fingers in the process. He scanned the paper quickly before slamming it down on the table. Both Caroline and I flinched at the forcefulness.

He said nothing as he left the kitchen.

…

Sebastian’s POV

The media had a way of twisting words around and he knew there could have been the possibility of that happening in this situation. He couldn’t imagine the only reason Emily would return is to bash Hannah. But the hurt look on Hannah’s face when she read the article written about her, angered Eric.

“How dare they make up such bullshit,” Eric hissed. “Did you see the look on Hannah’s face? She was hurting. That’s not okay.”

“Is it bullshit?” Sebastian asked, thinking more about it. “Hannah had asked Magnolia for money in the past.”

“You don’t know what you are saying,” Eric growled. “We need to make this right. For our chosen mate!”

They haven’t even marked her yet; she was hardly their mate. But he knew that didn’t matter to Eric. He had already chosen Hannah the moment he saw her.

Sebastian called Emily and told her that they needed to speak privately. He kept his tone even when speaking to her and tried not to allow his emotions to get the better of him. She was nothing more than an old friend that has come back from the past.

They met at a small café in the kingdom, a place he knew Emily had loved growing up.

She sat across from him at the table, and she looked worn out, maybe even a little sad despite the small smile she kept placed on her lips.

“I know why you wanted to see me,” she began as she took a sip of her expresso. “It’s because of the statement released to the media…”

He stayed silent as he stared at her. He kept a calm composure and his beverage laid untouched. He wasn’t much of a coffee drinker because it made his madness that much worse.

“Explain to me why you said what you did,” he ordered, keeping his tone low.

He was ignoring the wary and shocked looks he was getting from those around him. It wasn’t often that pack members around the kingdom spotted their king in an ordinary café.

“I guess I was surprised when the media approached me. They heard of my return and were shocked I was alive,” she told him, taking another sip of her drink. She swished the beverage in her cup for a little bit before placing the cup back down on the table to gaze up at him. “I didn’t mean any harm and I didn’t think the story would be released as it did.”

“What did you say to them, Emily,” Sebastian asked; even he could hear the impatience in his tone.

“They asked me what I thought of your new marriage, and I told them the truth. I don’t know her that well, but it seems the marriage was sudden. I worry that she isn’t after your best interest,” she admitted. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

“You need to contact them and tell them what you said wasn’t the truth,” Sebastian ordered.

She nodded quickly.

“Of course,” she said softly. “Again, I am so sorry. Please apologize to Hannah for me as well. I meant her no harm.”

They sat silently for a long while. Sebastian was ready to stand and leave without giving her another look, but her words made him sit back down instantly.

“I’m dying,” she said in a breath. He said nothing; he stared at her blankly, unsure if he heard her correctly. “I have this terminal illness and I’m not sure how much longer I have.”

“Why are you telling me this?” He asked, his tone sounding interested, but he sat frozen from her words.

He stared across the table at the woman that he had once loved as a child and thought of as a little sister growing up. She was there for him from the day his mother died and has been there for him through a lot more. He would be lying if he didn’t still think of her often as the little sister she was, and he felt he owed it to her to listen to what she had to say.

“Because I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer,” she told him. “I never wanted to burden you with the possibility of my death. I thought I was getting better for a while, but it came back.”

He was silent for a little longer.

“You know we have the best doctors in the kingdom,” he reminded her, eyeing her carefully. “Feel free to check in at the hospital in the morning.”

He went to stand to leave again, but she stood up quickly, staring at him with such dismay. Tears welled up in her eyes and she bit the bottom of her lip to keep herself from sobbing.

“Please don’t let me go through this alone, Sebastian,” she pleaded. “I’m so scared.”