Chapter 38

Sebastian

I can barely focus in my office. Every time my phone dings, I lurch towards it to see if my Beta has given me Miranda’s response.

Instead, I’m met with texts from Lily, Harper, and her father. They’re begging to meet with me after Miranda’s scandal at their banquet. I roll my eyes with every text, having to mute all notifications on my phone to go on with my day.

I toss my cell phone into the top drawer of my desk and sigh. What could be taking my Beta so long? Has Miranda become a ghost? Can he not locate her and secure her answer for me?

Right on cue, my Beta walks through the door. He holds his clipboard to his chest, knuckles white, and fear is written all over his face. My eyes narrow at him and I slowly rise from my chair. I flatten my palms against the wooden desk, leaning forward.

“Did you get her answer?” I sternly ask.

“Y-Yes,” my Beta gulps. My shoulders relax and I straighten my posture. I tilt my head at him and cross my arms over my chest.

“And?”

“She said…um…” he stammers, barely able to get a word out.

“Well? What did she say? Tell me!” My nostrils flare, irritation flowing through my veins.

The Beta inhales sharply, lowering their head. Their mouth moves, but nothing comes out. I lean in, tilting my ear to listen closely, and yet I can hear nothing.

“What did you say? Speak up!” I yell.

“She said no, sir!” My Beta half-yells, hiding behind their lowered head.

“She said no?!” I stare at him. He nods in confirmation.

I drop into my chair, turning to face the large window that overlooks the city. My eyes scan the buildings and my eyes land on a random building, one that has plenty of people gathered outside. What do they even have to be happy about?! I glare at the building and circle in my chair, my glare now aimed at my Beta.

“I’m going to see her. Is she at her lab?” I stand, swiping my belongings from my desk. I push past my Beta and I can hear him scrambling behind me.

“I don’t think that’s wise, sir!” He exclaims.

“And why not? I’m the Alpha King and I want to see how the formula is coming along!” I call out from over my shoulder. I walk out of my office and head straight for the elevator.

Building employees watch as I pass by, bowing their heads as a sign of respect. I press the elevator button and enter inside, closing the doors before my Beta can slide inside.

The elevator moves slowly, descending to the lower levels. I rub my temples and take deep breaths.

Who does she think she is to refuse me? Doesn’t she know who I am? It’s like she doesn’t even know that we’re fated mates!

The elevator doors open and I walk out, keeping a brisk pace. Lab technicians stare at me with widened eyes. They quickly jump out of my way as I approach Miranda’s lab’s door.

I burst inside but instantly bump into someone smaller than me. I stumble back, catching myself in the door frame. I look down and stare at Miranda’s lab assistant.

“Where is she?! Is she here?!” I ask.

“No! She, uh, went to check on the formula at the Gamma base,” her assistant quickly responds. I nod at her and turn around, storming back down the hallway.

I press the button to the elevator and the doors slide open. My Beta stands inside.

“Keys,” I demand, holding my hand out. I step inside the elevator.

“Sir, I think it will be best if I drive you—”

“You’ve done enough for today. Give me the keys.” I glare at the Beta and he obediently nods. He drops my car keys into my hand. Without wasting another second, I hustle to the parking garage.

I slam the car door behind me and speed out of the parking spot, leaving tire marks in my wake.

I hastily park in the first open spot I see. I storm towards the medical tent, paying attention to no one, completely tunnel-visioned with my mission to find Miranda.

I step inside and frantically look around. I spot Miranda’s head, her hair color now very familiar to me. I huff and head in her direction, trying to play catch up.

I dodge doctors who try to greet me and dip behind nurses, hiding as my eyes remain trained on Miranda. Quickly, I make my move and cut her off, herding her towards the door.

“Sebastian?! What are you doing here?” She hisses at me. I grab her shoulders and walk her out of the medical tent and into the sunlight. She takes a few steps away from me and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Why did you refuse my invitation?” I ask. Miranda scoffs, turning away for a brief moment before coming back to me.

“So I guess the results of your test came back positive?” She asks.

“Yes. They did. Evan is your son, Miranda, and I’m his father. We need to come together and figure things out between us—”

“No, Sebastian, we really don’t.” Miranda shakes her head. She sighs. I look around and nearby workers watch us. I grab her hand and pull her back inside the tent, pushing us inside a supply closet.

“Why won’t you do this? It’ll help our — sorry, I mean your daughter. I can provide for you two!” I whisper yell. She rolls her eyes at me.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Her tone is laced with disappointment. I pause, unable to think of a response to what she said. “Sebastian, let me break it down for you, okay?”

“Miranda, I—”

“No. It’s my turn to walk now. Be quiet,” she narrows her eyes at me. I nod and take a step back into the tiny closet, trying to give her the space that she needs. “I don’t think I can forgive you for how you’ve treated me these past few months. You have been cruel, toying with me and my emotions, and have even used my daughter as a weapon against me. Why do you think I would want to be near someone like you?”

“I don’t think that’s fair to say, Miranda,” I breathe out. She groans and her hand moves to the doorknob. I quickly stop her and pin her hand to the metal knob, keeping her there.

“Why not? You’ve pushed against me at every turn, sided with Lily of all people, and have consistently proven that you are not on my side at all,” Miranda grunts. She inches closer to me, poking a finger into my chest. I look down at her finger, my eyes trailing back up to her green eyes.

I wonder what they’d look like if they were purple, just like Evan’s.

“You serve one person and one person only, Sebastian, and that is yourself. No DNA test will clear the slate between us. It will not undo or erase the things that have happened between us.”

Her words cut into me, slicing into my skin as if they were razor blades. Miranda huffs to herself and twists the doorknob, relieving herself of the small closet space and my company.