Chapter 13

Miranda's POV

Both Lily and I turn to Sebastian with the same expression written on our faces. Shock with a mix of awe flashes across my face at Sebastian’s quick and decisive decision. He narrows his eyes at me and takes a step in my direction.

“If the modified formula fails to meet the expected results that you have promised,” his words make me want to crawl into a shell and hide from him, yet I stand strong and keep my posture straight. He leans down, his dark eyes piercing into mine, “You will be executed as a spy for leaking military secrets. Understood?”

I purse my lips. Lily’s smirk catches my attention. She flutters in her spot. I can feel her excitement ooze from her body. Does my death truly excite her that much?

She attaches herself to Sebastian’s side. She tilts her chin up and looks down at me, her expression amused yet smug. I suppose Sebastian is drawn to cruelty and malice. Every Alpha King needs a cunning person on their side, no? Well…if the shoe fits…

“We’ll give you a chance to back out, dear Miranda, if you want. This deal must feel like a burden to you, especially since your life is now on the line,” Lily’s voice exudes patronization. She feigns her concern for me and skillfully hides it behind a condescending smirk.

I keep my breathing calm and steady. I refuse to show either of them any kind of weakness; they don’t need to gain something to use against me in the future.

“Fine. I agree,” I begin. Lily nods and Sebastian barely moves. I fold my hands behind my back and fix my gaze on Sebastian. “I agree on one condition.”

His eyes study me closely. Lily groans and rolls her eyes, waving her hand at me as if to dismiss me.

“What is your condition?” Sebastian asks. I suck in a deep breath of air.

“If my modification succeeds and the formula is fixed, I wish to own it. The formula will be mine and mine only.”

Lily gasps. She looks at Sebastian, whose face barely falters.

I wish I could hear the thoughts that rub through his head. Is the Alpha King considering accepting the deal? Or is he wondering how he can execute me regardless of the outcome?

He glances at Lily, who huffs to herself. Her arms cross over her chest and she turns her glare onto me.

“Fine. It can be yours, Miranda,” Lily says. Her voice sounds high and mighty. I chuckle to myself.

She doesn’t believe me. Of course, she doesn’t. Lily has never been known to believe, or hold hope, in things that appear to be impossible.

My gaze drifts to Sebastian. His expression has slightly changed. His brow isn’t as hardened as it used to be and his eyes have ever so slightly lightened. I’m almost surprised to see him show any kind of emotion besides anger and being smug.

“So?” I ask. My eyebrow perks up at him as if I’m challenging him. Sebastian clears his throat and nods, agreeing to my request.

Days Later…

My office has become increasingly familiar these past few days. I shelled myself inside while meticulously studying the formula and its mistakes.

While the refrigeration issue is a relatively easy fix, it’s the problem with the addition of ingredients that worries me.

I groan and lean back in my chair. I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. There is a dull tension behind my eyes. I take a few deep breaths to try and alleviate the pain, but nothing works.

Moonlit Labs added all of the second-phase ingredients at the same time when they should have been added one by one. But what is the order that the ingredients go in?

I sigh and open my eyes, looking down at the scattered papers.

Seconds pass as my mind contemplates solutions and answers. I turn to my laptop and I begin to type some possibilities. My typing quickens as my mind connects the dots on the answer.

The dull pain behind my eyes recedes and I’m left with a solid foundation on what to do. A breakthrough is exactly what I needed right now. I sigh contently and push away from the desk, walking to the door of the study.

As soon as I push it open, I am bombarded by my two children. They wrap their arms around me and their voices are loud, calling my name. I chuckle and bend down to greet them with a tight hug.

“Mommy! Mommy!” They whine. I look at them and manage to breathe out a tired chuckle.

“You’re working so hard! You need a break!” Ella loudly whines. She clings to my side and I can’t help but feel bittersweet.

“Let’s go get dinner at the restaurant we always go to!” Noah exclaims. He grabs my free hand and shakes it. I laugh at their desperation.

“Okay! Go get dressed and we’ll go!” I give into their pleas and they don’t waste a second to run away and go get changed. I stand and call after them, “I’ll be in the car!”

The resturant is lively and the kids are in high spirits. I watch as they chow down their food; they barely take time to breathe in between bites and I’m slightly worried that they’ll pass out from lack of oxygen.

Once they are done with their meal, they stare at me with large eyes, their fingers covered in crumbs from their food.

“Go to the bathroom and wash up. Meet me back here as soon as you can, please,” I tell them, nodding my head in the direction of the restrooms. They fervently nod and hop out of their chairs, weaving through the tables and waiters before disappearing down a darkened hall.

A smile forms on my lips and warmth spreads throughout my chest. I love my children. They are everything to me. I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.

Time passes and neither Noah nor Ella return to the table. Worry blossoms inside of me, replacing the warmth I once felt. I rise from my seat and abandon the table in the direction of the bathroom.

I inch down the dark hallway, politely smiling at other restaurant-goers who pass and reach the end of the hall where the bathrooms are.

There’s a tall man who stands near the doors. I knock into his side and immediately look up at him to apologize just to be met with Sebastian’s face. My expression sours and I immediately turn away, rolling my eyes at him.

“I hope this is another coincidence for your sake,” he muses. I turn to glare at him. “The number of times we keep running into each other is getting suspiciously high.”

“Relax. I’d prefer it if we’d stop running into each other, either,” I shoot back.

“What’s this?” He mockingly asks, pushing off the wall and entering my already small space. He leans down and smirks, saying, “Have you finally realized your gamble was nothing but empty boasting? Hm? Are you here to plead for forgiveness and to back out?” His face darkens.

My gaze sharpens but he doesn’t falter. I strengthen my posture and look at him, matching his darkened expression.

“I don’t regret anything I’ve said or done. The way you keep accusing me of ulterior motives is starting to seem more like you’re the one who wants my attention,” I spit the words out. I lean in, my eyes never leaving him, and add, “Feels like you’re the one playing hard to get.”