Chapter 93

Sebastian’s POV

Sebastian needed to leave the infirmary before he said or did something he was seriously going to regret. He felt a wave of fury surging through him and he tightened his jaw to keep himself quiet. He could feel Dr. Conway shaking in his skin as he stood by his desk, watching the argument unfold before him.

Hannah looked furious; she continued to stare at him with her brows furrowed together and her lips pressed together until they were forming a thin line. He wasn’t sure why she was so determined to defend that gardener.

Yeah, well at least he shows up when I need him.

Her words continued playing in his mind long after he left the infirmary. He allowed her to keep the cat, against his better judgment, and that was what she had to say to him for it. He was annoyed and aggravated; he needed to be alone before he completely lost control; so, he went back to his office to continue his work. He was going to pretend that conversation never happened and move on with his life. He was sure that she would take in his threats and his warning and stay away from the gardener going forward.

He wasn’t sure how long he’s been in his office; ever since the rumors about the moonstone scepter spread around the kingdom, he’s been receiving nothing but emails after emails. He’s been responding to them the best he could; trying to put these rumors to rest and bring ease to the kingdom. But he knew it was going to take a lot more than a couple of emails to silence the rumors.

He heard a knock on his door, and he immediately knew who it was; he knew that knock anywhere.

“Come in,” he said before turning back to his computer.

Hannah opened the door and stood there with her eyes shifted to the ground. His office was instantly filled with her scent, bringing him a sense of tranquility.

“Dinner is being served in the dining hall,” she told him, her voice soft.

He lifted his gaze from his computer and stared her over carefully.

“Why are you the one informing me and not a maid?” Sebastian asked.

“Valerie wasn’t feeling well, so I gave her the rest of the night off. The other servants were busy with their duties, and I didn’t want to disturb them for something I can do myself,” she told him.

She was much calmer than she had been earlier that day when they fought in the infirmary. He wondered what changed and why she was acting differently. She wouldn’t even meet his eyes; she kept her eyes locked on the ground. She looked almost uncomfortable.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” he told her, turning back to his computer.

She nodded her head and left his office in a hurry. He finished with his work for the evening and went to join Hannah in the dining hall for dinner. One of the kitchen servants had already placed their food and was in the middle of pouring their wine when Sebastian entered. The servant bowed instantly, and Hannah’s gaze shifted to her food.

Sebastian stared at her curiously, wondering what was running through her mind. She’s been acting different since that morning she found out her handmaiden, Caroline was dead. Of course, Sebastian understood why she was upset. It was a detail he hadn’t told her, and she felt hurt and betrayed by that knowledge. She felt like she could no longer trust him, but he only kept it from her because she was healing, and he didn’t want to disrupt that. He allowed her to have a funeral though and he thought she would be okay afterward.

Apparently not.

She’s still distant from him; she hardly looks at him and doesn’t like speaking to him unless she’s yelling or asking for favors.

He stopped looking at her saddened features long enough to eat his food. They ate silently.

“Say something to her,” Eric scolded. “She’s obviously upset about something…”

“If she wanted to talk, she would,” Sebastian said to his wolf in return. “I’m not going to push it.”

“She’s our chosen mate; you need to treat her with more kindness and stop being such a dick.”

Sebastian didn’t respond to his wolf; he looked over at Hannah who was staring down at her food. She had stopped eating and was just twirling the food around with her fork.

“Do you not like it?” He asked, eyeing her carefully. “I could have them cook you something else.”

She glanced up at him; her face reddening slightly once she realized he was watching her.

“No, it’s okay,” she answered. “It’s delicious. Really.”

“Why aren’t you eating it then?” He asked, raising his brows.

“I guess I just have a lot on my mind,” she answered, her tone remaining soft. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Go on,” he urged, turning back to his food, and taking another bite.

“Classes at Bluemoon are starting again. Since the attack, they’ve had everything on hold. But I got an email saying they are continuing classes this week.”

Sebastian looked back at her, narrowing his eyes to focus on her features. She refused to meet his eyes; he could tell she was nervous about asking to go back to Bluemoon.

“She can’t go back,” Eric hissed. “It’s too dangerous. She needs to be here with us. She needs to remain close to us.”

Sebastian agreed.

“I don’t feel comfortable with you going back to Bluemoon,” he answered, keeping his tone calm and without looking at her. “Not after what happened last time.”

She was silent for a moment; processing what he had just said.

“I just thought since the ones who started the attack are either dead or imprisoned, that it’d be safe again and you’d let me…”

“I said no,” Sebastian said, cutting off her words.

She flinched at his harsh tone, and she shifted her gaze back down to her food; he felt a painful sensation tugging at his chest as she stared around her sad features. Tears began drowning her eyes and she was trying hard to keep them inside of her eyes and not allow them to wash over her cheeks.

He sighed, putting down his fork and leaning back in his seat so he could take her in.

“Is Raya going back?” Sebastian asked.

She glanced up at him, surprised by his question.

“Uh… I’m not sure,” she answered. “Probably not honestly. Not after what happened with her there. I don’t think Arnold would want her to go back anyway…”

“Then why the hell would I let you go back?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. “Do you honestly think I want you in that kind of danger?”

“I guess not,” she agreed.

“Just be grateful I’m letting you keep that cat and I’m allowing the gardener to keep his job,” Sebastian muttered, as he slid his seat back so he could stand up.

He was done with dinner, and he felt no need to stay in the dining hall any longer. Hannah remained at her seat; her eyes fixated on her plate, and she nodded.

“I am grateful,” she said softly. “Thank you.”

He said nothing as he left the dining all. He hated acting so coldly toward her, but he wasn’t sure how else to get through to her. She needed to understand that he was only doing this for her best interest; if he was any kinder to her, she would grow daring again and go against him. Hannah was a rule breaker when she got comfortable. Going to that rogue town without his knowledge was proof of that and he wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

He needed to keep her close to keep her safe and to keep her close, she needed to have a little fear in her so she would be afraid to branch out and go against him.

Sebastian made his way back into his office and he sat at his desk. He rubbed his sore temples. He pictured the sadness in Hannah’s eyes, and it pulled at his heart.

With a sigh, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number to Bluemoon Academy.

“Hello? Dr. Montgomery?”