Chapter 71

Miranda

“An explosion?” My head snaps to Jessica before I turn to look at Sebastian. His eyes are trained on me, brows knitted together. My ears heat from the sudden realization of what’s happening on my first day as Moonlit Labs’ CEO.

A flurry of emotions spread across my body. My head feels hot while my arms and fingers have gone ice cold. Unable to move my legs, Sebastian softly lays his hand on the low of my back and pushes me forward. I can feel the tip of his nose trace the top of my ear as he whispers, “We have to go.”

We exit my office and pile into the elevator, picking up speed the closer and closer we get to Sebastian’s car. His Beta sits in the drivers seat and we tumble into the backseat while Jessica takes the front seat.

“Updates. Now,” Sebastian growls to his Beta as the car tires spin us out of the parking garage. Sebastian turns to me and I can feel his eyes travel from my worried expression down to my bouncing knee. His palm flattens against the top of my thigh, pushing against my leg, keeping it in place.

I turn to him with glossy eyes, my bottom lip slightly trembling. He gives my thigh a squeeze. Sebastian’s reassurance fills my ivy veins and warns them, opening up my lungs so I can breathe again.

“There were reports of a loud explosion and some noise complaints about an hour ago. The fire department was on the scene in ten minutes and confirmed that the manufacturing building has been destroyed,” his Beta’s eyes remain on the road, the car swerving through traffic, “there have been reports of casualties. I’m sorry, Miranda.”

A gasp leaves my lips. I unconsciously fall back into the car’s chair. I bring my hand to my face and close my eyes, submerging myself into darkness. The sounds inside the car are now muffled, my ears ringing as the weight of innocent lives, their blood, slowly builds up on my shoulders.

Who could do something so cruel? Why is this happening? Of all days, why did it have to be my first day as CEO?

The car is filled with a tense and uncomfortable silence. It’s deafening. I can’t tell if they’re silent for my sake or if the atrocities that have been revealed from the incident has thrust them into silence.

The car comes to a slow and I uncover my face, glancing out the window next to me.

Plumes of black smoke float into the air, the bottom layers trickled by bright orange and yellow flames. The air in my lungs escape me. I sit up and peer out the window, unable to look away from the apocalyptic looking scene. Firefighters hold steadfast in their places, their firehoses spitting out streaks of water, trying to put out the flames of my growing misery.

Sebastian, Jessica, and the Beta get out of the car. Sebastian comes to my side and opens the door for me, helping me out. I’m stuck in a catatonic state, mouth dropped open, eyes glossy, watching as the large manufacturing plant achingly crumbles to the ground.

To the side of us, pairs of firefighters exit the burning rubble. With them are Moonlit Labs employees, dragging out their bloodied and lifeless bodies. Nausea sweeps over me. I hunch over. My hands land on my knees. Agony overtakes my body.

Sebastian comes to my side, his hands warm against my cold yet sweaty back, and helps guide me back up. He pulls me to his chest, burying my face into his shirt. I inhale his cologne, regaining my breath. After a few moments, I peel my face away from his chest, staring into the abyss.

“Who could have done this?” I ask aloud to no one in particular. Out of the corner of my eye, Sebastian shifts in his spot, his eyes unable to meet the flames as he takes his bottom lip between his teeth. I turn to him, staring up and at his side profile. “You know something.”

“What?” He turns to me, shaking his head, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t, Sebastian,” my tone is sharp. I pull away from him and create distance between us. My sadness has turned to anger. “What are you not telling me? Does this have to do with the incident you refused to tell me about before? The one at our children’s school?” My voice rises in volume and Sebastian is quick to pull me away from the crowd.

“Miranda, I…” he groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know if—”

“Don’t ice me out. Not now,” I shake my head at him. “I’m your fiancée, remember? I’m also the CEO of the company whose building was just turned to rubble. I think I have a right to know what the fuck is going on!”

Sebastian stares at me. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down in his throat. My gaze narrows and he lets out a defeated huff, taking my hands into his. I squeeze them and keep my gaze on his.

“There is a man who once challenged my father for the title of Alpha King,” Sebastian slowly speaks the words, being careful and meticulous. I don’t blame him for it. If I were in his shoes, I would be careful too. “He goes by the title of the Rogue King. For the past few months, he’s been infiltrating the country and has made threats on your life…as well as the kids.”

I swallow the knot in my throat. My hands slightly tremble but I remain strong for his sake. It’s quiet for a few moments, the sound of crashing bricks and pained cries filling our ears. My thumbs graze over his knuckles and i suck in a deep breath, looking into his darkness green eyes.

“How could he have known about this manufacturing plant? It’s a secret because it is the only place that produces the company’s secret medicine formula. Only someone high up at the company could know about it,” I look at the flames, my mind wandering through a list of suspects.

“This manufacturing plant is the only place where my army’s first response medicine is produced?” Sebastian asks. I nod.

Who could have known about this? From my very, very, short time at Moonlit Labs, I could tell that the employees, both low and high, only want the best for the people of the country. They would never intentionally hurt and bring harm to innocent lives.

Oh shit. Lily.

Only she and my father would know of MoonLit Labs’ factory locations as well as the ranking of importance. Has their cruelty formed into revenge? How dare they join a king that can be so cruel! Well, I suppose if the shoe fits, they must wear it.

Sebastian’s nostrils flare and his chest moves up and down at a quickened pace. He’s come to the same realization, hasn’t he? His hands drop from mine, turning his back to me, and he begins to make his way back to the car when his Beta stops him.

“Sir!” His voice breaks through the roaring sound of flames. Sebastian turns to him, anger written all over his face. “We just got a report from the school! One of your children has been taken!”