Chapter 53

Miranda

Sebastian’s face lingers in my mind, providing me with both a sense of comfort and anticipation.

Our time together last night was sweet yet short-lived. I want more. I crave more from the Alpha King. Simply seeing each other in passing, and even sharing a meal, has left me hungry to see him even more.

I float through my house, aiding Noah and Ella when needed, a smile painted across my face. Anna tries to pull me from my trance but the Sebastian in my mind pulls me back in, effortlessly so.

I sigh, humming a romantic tune to myself.

The warmth from his touch has permanently made itself at home on my skin. My hand remains warm and my thigh still tingles from where he touched me.

Last night felt so right. All of the shared glances, gentle touches, and laughter from our wonderful children have filled the void in my heart, a void that was created ever since my mother died.

This is what a family is supposed to be like, no? Am I not mistaken? I have never known the warmth of a lively family dinner and any memory of one that I may have has fled from my mind over the years.

The warmth of my mother’s love has not escaped me but the unfamiliar feeling of what a complete family has left me.

“Miranda?” Jessica’s voice brings me back to reality. “Are you okay?”

I blink, eyes focusing on the sight in front of me: an overflowing test tube whose yellow liquid spills onto the black desktop. I stand, the chair legs scraping against the floor, and gnaw at the inside of my cheek.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stammer, unsure of how I miraculously transported myself from my home to the lab.

“It’s okay! I figured you were. You’ve been so…distant today. Happy! But distant,” Jessica chuckles and I join her.

“Yes! Sorry! I have had a lot of stuff on my mind,” I push the words out to try and cover my clouded mind.

“You can take the day off if you want to, you know. You are the boss, after all!” She pats my back and hands me goggles and a roll of paper towels. I take them and shake my head, an exasperated laugh escaping my lips.

I wonder how Sebastian would react to me taking a day off. Is the Alpha King even allowed to have days off for himself, let alone a vacation? Or will he forever be bound to the chains of his role as the country’s protector?

It must be an isolating life. Very lonely.

“What?!” Jessica’s voice carries from across the lab. I jump from my spot, head poking over the tall lab equipment. Her footsteps are loud as she runs to me, holding out a piece of paper. “They rejected it!”

“They rejected what, Jessica?” I ask, snatching the piece of paper from her hands.

Moonlit Labs’ logo is at the top of the page in big, bold letters. The moon in its logo catches my eye and I have to force myself to look at the small words below.

Dear Healer M,

We here at Moonlit Labs have appreciated all that you have done for us. Thank you so much for fixing the formula and for spending numerous hours dedicated to finding a new solution for our sulfa tablet predicament. However, after long and careful consideration, we at Moonlit Labs have decided to go in a different direction. We appreciate all that you have done for us and we regret to inform you of our decision. Your new solution is a step in a direction that Moonlit Labs does not wish to take.

We hope you can understand! Attached is your last check per our contract.

Have a splendid day!

Moonlit Labs

Towards the bottom of the page is Lily’s signature. She’s signed it in a deep red color, one that looks very similar to blood when held under a light.

The paper crumbles under my balled fists, threatening to rip from any more pressure.

I storm out of the lab and rush up the nearby staircase, not wanting to wait for the elevator and find myself on Sebastian’s floor. I march past his Beta and other employees of his, kicking open the door, and waving the paper in the arm.

“Miranda? What are you—”

“What the fuck happened?” I yell. I approach his desk and slam the paper down in front of him. “What kind of sick game is she playing?”

“What are you talking about?” Sebastian narrows his eyes at me. I gesture to the tattered paper before him and turn around, staring out the doors of his office.

Everyone watches us. Silence overtakes them and their eyes are big and wide. Nobody even dares to whisper.

“She rejected the medicine. Does she not realize what she’s done?” I ask. Sebastian moves around behind me, suddenly finding himself before me. I look up at him, the rage in his eyes matching my own.

“Follow me,” he grunts under his breath. He takes my hand, tugging me out of his office and to the elevator.

The doors slide open as soon as he presses the button and he pulls me inside, the doors closing before his Beta can join us.

Sebastian faces me and takes a single step toward me. My back presses against the wall and I look up, the oxygen escaping my lungs. He plants his hand above my head, looking down at me.

“When did you get this?” He asks in a low tone. A pool of warmth forms in my lower stomach.

“I came to you as soon as I got it,” I whisper back, his head dipping down to meet mine. His face hovers over mine and I can feel his hot breath on my face. “What are we going to do?” I whisper. His face dips lower but he stops once the doors open. His lips barely graze mine. He pulls away.

I remain frozen in place. His once large and up close body turns smaller with the distance he puts between us. I have to manually move my feet to get out of the elevator, following him into the building’s parking garage which lies below the building.

“Lily!” Sebastian’s voice booms throughout the spacious garage, carrying across the concrete environment. “Get over here! Now!”

His voice makes my body vibrate, my inner wolf wanting to crawl to him and submit.

Lily appears from behind a car, her arms crossed over her chest. She stares at us with an unimpressed and impatient look on her face, brows furrowed and lip curled up in a snarl.

“What do you want now? Come to yell at me yet again?” Lily rolls her eyes, her hip popped out.

“Why did you reject Miranda’s medicine?” Sebastian growls.

“Do you know how many lives you’re—”

“I’m what? Putting in danger? Try a new line, half-breed!” Lily waves me away. Sebastian snaps his fingers at her, his teeth flared and eyes crazed.

“Don’t you ever call her that again,” his growl terrifies me. His demeanor changed within a few seconds and left me silent.

“You know what, Sebastian? It’s my company. I can do whatever the hell I want there since, guess what: I’m in charge!” Lily stomps her foot and glares at him. She turns her attention to me, continuing, “You can’t stop me! Neither of you can!”

Lily turns on her heel, swings open her car door, gets inside, and slams it shut behind her.

Sebastian turns to me, guiding me between two other cars so that Lily is free to go. I feel his gaze on the side of my face, and I so desperately wish to meet his eyes, but my focus is on Lily, who speeds away, leaving tire marks on the concrete floor.