Chapter 45

Hannah’s POV

My lips touched Sebastian’s with a hard force, and I hungrily searched his mouth with my tongue. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed me into the wall, allowing me to do as I pleased with his mouth. I could feel the cold plastic of his mask, rubbing against my features and it was almost uncomfortable, but I tried to push the discomfort out of my mind.

I knew at any moment, that Nancy could walk around the corner and see our embrace, but I didn’t care. I almost wanted her to find us. My heart was beating heavily against my chest, and I ignored the evident pain.

I traced his bottom lip with my teeth and gave it a playful tug, bringing him further into my mouth. I could feel Nora’s tension easing from within me as we were brought closer together. I could feel the heat from his body radiating off mine, making my cheeks flush as he continued to press himself against me. Trapping me between the wall and his hardened exterior. His biceps were rippling and made my knees nearly weak.

I imagined what his features looked like; that moment I saw him with his mask off during the full moon. His face was so beautiful, and it had me in a trance; I could feel the heat rising throughout my body as the memory resurfaced.

I wanted to see him again; I needed to see his face.

I reached toward his mask, tracing the outline. I kept my eyes closed tightly and tugged his mask gently, almost lifting it from his face.

He stilled immediately.

“What the hell are you doing?” He hissed as he jumped away from me, swatting my hand away from his mask, leaving me breathless and confused.

I tried to maintain my breath and tried to cool down my features with my hands. My body trembled as I attempted to maintain my composure.

I was in heat again and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to control myself. I had to get out of here and get into the ice bath, despite Nora’s irritation and protest.

“I…” I tried to say between gasps of breath. “I don’t know.”

I felt tears welling in my eyes again as I remembered my previous conversation with Nancy. My heart was so broken, and I didn’t know what to do about it.

“I’m in so much pain…” I whispered as tears fell from my eyes.

His gaze softened and he sighed as he stepped closer to me.

He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me, cradling me like a baby as I cried into his chest.

I don’t remember how we got home; he ran so quickly that it felt like we spawned into our bedroom. I might have even fallen asleep as I was pressed against the warmth of his chest. His presence was comforting to my wolf, despite everything we were going through.

I didn’t even have the chance to tell him what happened at the hospital. I felt so defeated and weakened. I just wanted to sleep and forget this awful day had happened.

…

Sebastian was already gone the next morning; I assumed he was at the hospital already to see Emily. My heart ached even more at the thought of it; there was something wrong and I couldn’t put my finger on it. But Nora felt even more uneasy whenever we thought about Sebastian with Emily. It was clear she didn’t like Emily and I couldn’t blame her.

Today was my day off and I wasn’t planning on sitting around the palace all day and waiting for Sebastian.

“Caroline?” I called for her as I made my way around the palace to search for my handmaiden, who was also becoming my friend.

It didn’t take long to find her.

“Sorry, your majesty,” she said with a worried gaze. “I was just finishing your laundry. What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to let you know I was leaving for the afternoon,” I told her. “I’m going to see my father. So, if my husband returns home, just let him know I’ll be home later.”

She stared at me for a moment, a worried expression on her face.

“What?” I asked, eyeing her carefully.

“I’m sorry for misspeaking, your majesty. But is it a good idea to see your father? From the last time he was here…” she said, remembering how Sebastian kicked him from the palace.

“I have business to take care of,” I told her.

Liam was more important than my feelings towards my father. I had to get in to see Liam and if I had to speak with my father to do that, then that’s what I’ll do. I didn’t say that to Caroline though; I haven’t told anyone what was happening at the hospital. I needed to fix this on my own.

I assured her I would be fine before I left.

Lewis was kind enough to take me to my father’s house. Naomi wasn’t home, thankfully, I wasn’t sure how much of her I could take. But unfortunately, Amy was home and so was my father. It was almost like they were waiting for me as I entered the house.

My father had a grin on his face, and he folded his arms across his chest as he glared at me. Amy just chuckled as she sat on the couch, pretending she wasn’t paying any attention to us.

“I don’t know what you said to my brother, but you need to fix it. Now,” I ordered.

“I told him the truth,” my father said, his tone deep with agitation. “You can’t keep me from my son.”

“You don’t care about him,” I argued. “You only care about using him to get to me and that isn’t fair. I’m only trying to look out for his best interest.”

“His best interest isn’t to keep him from his family,” my father hissed.

“Since when do you consider yourself his family?” I shot back, I was red in the face with fury.

“Since I allowed you to live with me when your mother died,” he growled.

“You forced us to live with you,” I said in return. “We were only children.”

“It doesn’t matter. I still took care of you; did I not?”

“Hardly,” I said, furrowing my eyebrows together. “You spent most of our lives ignoring us.”

“But you are both still alive. Because of me,” he stated.

I stared at the man who claimed to be my father, but his actions were anything but fatherly. I saw nothing but hatred in his eyes and that’s all I’ve seen for my entire life. Since we were born as omegas; he hardly gave us the time of day. I didn’t understand why he cared so much about keeping Liam away from me.

“There is a way you can see Liam again, though,” my father said, assessing my face.

I shot him a look, not trusting a word that comes out of his mouth and I knew his next few words were going to be lies.

“Leave the hospital,” he said with a grin.

I was startled by his words and narrowed my eyes to focus on him.

“What?” I asked.

“Quit your job at the hospital. Someone like you shouldn’t be practicing medicine and I’ll feel better if you weren’t there,” he said.

“Why does it affect you what I do?” I asked.

“Because I won’t have you ruining my reputation. As my daughter, everything you do matters. One screw-up and our reputation are destroyed. I won’t allow that. Leave the hospital and I’ll get Liam to put you back on the visitor’s list.”

“That isn’t fair,” I said, my body trembling.

“Might not be fair, but it’s the only deal I’ll make. Leave the hospital,” he said again; his voice reining with finality.

I glanced over at Amy who was now staring at me with a twinkle of humor in her eyes.

“You heard him,” she muttered, leaning back on the couch. “Quit your job and you can have your visiting rights back.”

After another breath of silence, my father leaned closer to me.

“Do we have a deal?”