Chapter 66

Miranda

Sebastian’s touch never left me. At all times, he had his touch against me, whether it was his fingers laced with mine or his hand planted firmly on my waist, giving it a squeeze whenever he grew bored of a conversation we were having with another noble wolf.

Hours pass and my cheeks have permanently turned into a light pink color. I have gone through many champagne flutes while Sebastian refilled his whiskey glass from time to time. I almost forget the reason why I’m here, the whole reason why Sebastian has planned this extravagant auction.

I stare at my lipstick stain on the glass in front of me. I gently squeeze Sebastian’s hand just as he shares a chuckle with the man beside him. He glances at me and I smile at him, batting my eyelashes at him. His eyes flicker to my lips before he turns to the wolf, excusing us from the conversation.

Sebastian and I slip through the crowd and down a darkened hallway, one that has been sectioned off from the rest of the room. I drop his hand and slip my glimmering purse off my shoulder, sliding it down my arm. My feet feel unnaturally light as I float down the corridor, heading towards his private bathroom.

“What are you doing, Miranda?” His voice trails from behind. I glance at him, a sneaky smirk gracing my lips. I hold up my lipstick and lipgloss, waving them around.

“I need to reapply. Thought you may want to join me,” I coo. His smile turns ravenous and I quietly shriek, quickly dipping inside his bedroom. I step into the bathroom and he traps me against the counter, his hands on either side of the patterned marble.

Our breaths mix together and he leans in, the tips of our noses touching. I close the last bit of distance, pressing my lips against his. His hands move up my body, leaving chills in its wake, as his fingers drag against my side. He cups my cheeks, his face pushing into mine as the kiss turns heated.

I’m trapped between his body and the counter, the pain disappearing when he dips me back. I gasp and he chuckles against my lips. He pulls away for a brief moment, the pad of his thumb running against my bottom lip. My hands grip his sides, grabbing a fistful of his jacket.

“Look at what you do to me,” he groans under his breath. He leans in, about to refuel our kiss, when there’s a knock at the bathroom door. We sigh and press our foreheads together, remaining silent. “What?!”

“Sir, you are scheduled to begin your speech in five minutes,” his Beta’s voice is muffled. Sebastian sharply inhales and I can’t help but chuckle at him. He smiles down at me, shaking his head. He peels himself off of me and reaches out to fix my hair.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there,” he calls back. I turn around and look at myself in the mirror. I quickly reapply my lipstick, eyes fixed on his face while his eyes remain on my lips. “Are you ready?”

“With you at my side,” I breathe out, my nerves cooling down, “I’ll always be ready.”

“Good girl,” he smiles. He slips his hand into mine and draws me out of the bathroom, “We’ll continue this later, yeah?”

We glide back down the hallway, making sure to avoid the prying glances from neighboring people, and quickly walk up the stairs. I slip from his grasp once his Beta hands him a microphone. I stay close behind, watching as he approaches the railing that overlooks the large foyer. The room falls into a silence.

“Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the silent auction,” Sebastian begins. “I apologize for how late the invitations were sent out and I will forever be grateful to those who were able to make it tonight.” People clap and cheer. He holds his hand up to silence them. “Now, tonight would not be possible without the help from an extraordinary woman whom you all know as Healer M.”

My cheeks heat up as Sebastian turns to me. He holds his hand out and I take it, our fingers slipping together. I look below and meet the surprised gazes of many people. They whisper amongst themselves, eyes trained on me. Insecurity flares throughout my body but I remain where I stand, knowing that I deserve this spot beside Sebastian more than they do.

“If you will all be so kind, please give her a warm welcome as she tells you about the cause we are supporting tonight!” The room erupts into applause as he passes the microphone to me. The warmth of his hand leaves mine, leaving me feeling cold and lonely. I take a deep breath, forcing a smile onto my face, as the room comes to a quiet.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” I smile at them. My eyes land on my previous family. They look at me with judgmental stares and crossed arms. “I am so appreciative for every single one of you who have showed up tonight. The King and I wish to spread awareness about domestic violence and abuse.”

I pause. I stare at my father, who shifts uncomfortably in his place.

“This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart because…well…I am a survivor.” Gasps overtake the room. Women cover their mouths and their date holds them close, kissing their temples. “It’s a sensitive topic, yes, but it one that must be talked about. Abuse is serious. It ruins families and infiltrates packs, tearing them apart. I know this because the Silvertail Pack has subjected me to years of abuse.”

The room goes silent. Gazes fall from me and to my father, Harper, and Lily.

“For years, I have been treated like their slave. They’ve beaten me, stolen years of my life and taken it for themselves. Many of you didn’t notice. That’s because abuse can be both visible and invisible. They knew exactly where to hit me so you wouldn’t be able to see through bruises and marks they decorated my body with. And when there was a scar that was exposed, they locked me away so the world could not see me.”

The area around them opens. People step away and look at them with disgust. The room’s silence is no longer. People openly talk, pointing at the trio.

“The Alpha’s daughter, Lily, is the worst of them. She’s drugged me before and passed me off to wolves, wolves who stand among you, so they could have their way with me. They dismissed me and kicked me to the curb and now she’s running the country’s leading pharmaceutical company into the ground. I call for their dismissal from the Silvertail Pack and Moonlit Labs! Abusers should not be in power!” I point at them, my voice raised.

The room breaks out into chaos. People grab my father and step-mother, yelling into their faces. Lily manages ro escape, disappearing into the crowd.

My hand falls to my side, microphone rubbing against my dress. Sebastian’s Beta grabs it from me. Gamma soldiers line up against the stairs, preventing people from coming into Sebastian and I’s area.

Tears brim my eyes, threatening to fall down my cheeks. I turn on my heel and stare at Sebastian, who looks at me with widened eyes, jaw dropped. He closes his mouth and approaches me. He tenderly cups my cheek and presses his forehead against mine, eyes closed.

The world around us breaks down but all that matters is that I’m here with him now that the truth has been exposed to everyone, including him.