Hannah’s POV
“She’s missing an earring.”
Nora was right; in one ear she had the same silver earring as the one I was holding. Her eyes found mine and held them for a long while as I shakily lifted my hand to reveal her missing earring.
“I found this,” I said in almost a whisper. “I heard you talking in the study. You said you weren’t anywhere near the library. So, why was your earring here?”
She stayed silent for a long while; I could feel Caroline tensing from beside me. We were both out of our element, but I couldn’t allow the queen to accuse Sebastian of something he didn’t do.
Without warning, she snatched the earring from my hand; her lips thinning as disapproval shot through her icy gaze.
“Alpha King Sebastian didn’t kill that maid,” I told her, keeping my tone low.
“You think you have things figured out here?” She asked, her voice darkening. “But you’re in for a rude awakening.”
She said nothing more as she turned and walked out of the library.
I was in for a rude awakening. What did that even mean?
I shuddered at the thought and tried to brush it out of my mind as I stood in the quiet library, watching Magnolia storm away from me. I couldn’t believe she was trying to pin the murder of that maid on Sebastian. It seemed to be coming so easily to her as if she’s done that a hundred times in the past.
I shook my head with disbelief; I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a recurring act for her. Sebastian was known to be the most vicious and monstrous wolf that walked the lands, and yet, to me, Queen Magnolia seemed even worse.
I was nervous about going to his study and disturbing him. I wondered if he knew what Queen Magnolia had done; he was the king, after all, it would surprise me if he didn’t know.
Knocking on the door of his study, I could feel his presence lurking within the walls. There was a pause where my breathing got caught in my throat and my nerves began rising into my chest.
He growled for me to enter, and I opened the door slightly to see him at his desk, writing something down and looking hard at work.
Sebastian looked unbothered, but his expression was still hard to read because of the mask he insisted on wearing. It couldn’t have been comfortable being attached to his face all the time.
He glanced over at me; his eyes were no longer the scarlet color they were the night before. They were a deep blue, and his gaze made my heartbeat rapidly against my chest. His scent filled his office and for a moment, I thought my knees were going to weaken. But I managed to keep my stance; I would be blind if I didn’t find him attractive, despite the mask.
His dark eye scanned me over from my toes and back to my head; my face reddened as I remembered the casual and baggy clothing, I was wearing.
“What?” He asked after it was clear I wasn’t going to speak.
I snapped out of the trance and met his eyes.
“I just wanted to check on you,” I told him, keeping my tone low as I entered his office. He stared at me for a long while, trying to process what I was saying. “Because of the maid that died…” I clarified, trying to keep the nervousness out of my tone.
He looked back down at his desk and continued his work.
“Maids die here all the time. You get used to it,” he muttered; his tone was so harsh, and I shuddered.
“I see…” I said slowly. The silence between us grew thick before I got the courage to speak again. “I know it wasn’t you who killed her.”
He stopped writing to look at me; his eyes narrowing.
“Oh yeah?” He asked, his voice softening and sending a warm wave through my body as my face flushed.
I nodded once.
“Yes,” I told him.
I wasn’t going to clarify any more than that; I’m sure he understood his stepmother was trying to pin these murders on him. I felt a weird sensation tugging at my heart as I stared at him. I found myself wishing I knew what he was thinking and how he was feeling.
“I’m going to be returning to my father’s house this afternoon,” I told him. “I need to gather the rest of my belongings.”
“Take a guard with you,” he ordered, his tone was back to being harsh as he turned away to continue working.
“That’s not necessary,” I told him. “My father doesn’t live far from here. I won’t be long.”
He looked back over at me; for a second, I thought he was going to argue, and I braced myself for his temper. I worried he would lose control again like he did last night. I glanced down at his hand and saw it was bandaged from when he stabbed himself.
I pulled my eyes away from his hand and tried to smile politely at him before turning away. Before I could leave his study, I heard his voice from behind me.
“Will you be back this afternoon?” He asked; the harshness from his voice was gone completely and it was replaced with curiosity.
I turned back to him slightly and nodded once.
“Yes,” I answered. “Why do you ask?”
“The celebrity dinner party is tonight and as my luna, you need to attend,” he answered.
My eyes widened and I stared down at my clothing once again, feeling my face heating up with embarrassment.
“I don’t have the clothing to attend such an event,” I told him sheepishly.
“That’s why I need you back early this afternoon. I have a meeting before the party; on my way, I’ll drop you off at the boutique,” he told me.
I knew right away that I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I nodded once and turned towards the door once again.
My breathing grew heavy as I left his study; I tried hard to not hyperventilate right then and there. I was going to a celebrity dinner party. I was going to a celebrity dinner party with the wolf king.
Well fuck.
…
Sebastian’s POV
Sebastian stared after her; there was something about her he couldn’t shake. Of course, he heard the whispering and the murmurs of the servants around the palace. He knew of the maid that turned up dead in the library; he also knew he was nowhere near the library.
But he wondered how someone as simple-minded as Hannah would know such a thing as well. Surely, she didn’t go investigating this murder on her own.
“Her scent…” his wolf, Eric, breathed. “It still lingers.”
There was a deep longing that rose in him as he continued to take in her lingering scent.
“You want her, tonight, and you can’t wait,” Eric laughed. “You never wanted a woman so badly.”
Sebastian took a deep breath, trying to restrain the hot flow that surged through his abdomen.
Sebastian’s POV "No, I'm just ...... curious about her." “Ha, just curious?” “…Just curious.” He took a sip of water and pushed down the heat coming from his lower abdomen. Sebastian, you can control yourself. “Arnold, come in here for a second,” he called his Beta wolf into the study via mindlink. Beta Arnold was the only other wolf he truly trusted. Arnold arrived shortly after being called; nobody kept the wolf king waiting for fear of what he might do. Even if Arnold was a trusted Beta that worked closely with Sebastian, he wasn’t stupid enough to keep him waiting. “I can’t help but be suspicious about my new luna,” Sebastian admitted, meeting Arnold’s obeying, yet curious, eyes. “I need you to investigate her.” Naomi’s POV “Now that we are family, I think it’s only fair that we ask for a small share of your assets,” Naomi said into the phone, clutching it eagerly as she waited for a response on the other end. “Is that so?” Queen Magnolia said after a short pause. “We
Hannah’s POV “I had no idea she was your luna, your majesty…” the woman said, bowing her head as shame fell over her. Her body was visibly trembling, and she refused to meet my eyes. “It’s just a rule that…” “I don’t care what your excuse is. Apologize to my luna, now!” “I’m so sorry,” she said, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Please… forgive me…” “This store should be open to the entire kingdom, not just Alphas, and Betas,” Sebastian said before I could say anything in response to her. “Yes, your majesty,” she said, bowing her head again. “I’m so sorry for being disrespectful.” “I won’t allow this kind of disrespect in my kingdom,” he growled. “Of course,” she breathed. “I promise, it will never happen again.” Her attitude had completely transformed; I couldn’t believe the kind of power Sebastian had over others. I watched their exchange with such awe; as did everyone else. “No…” he said. “It won’t. I’ll be sure of that going forward.” She met his eye with worry ev
Hannah's POV “I should go,” Amy stammered nervously as she brushed past us and exited the bathroom at a quick pace. I felt my face heating up as Sebastian continued to stare at me, amusement clear in his eyes. “I can explain,” I said softly; humiliated that he caught me speaking of his bed skills. A low laugh erupted from his throat as he made his way closer to me. What was he doing in the girl’s room anyway? Before I could open my mouth to ask, his hand was pressed against the wall behind me and his firm body was pressing against mine, pinning me to the wall. “What other skills of mine do you like?” He asked, his voice husky. My breathing was caught in my throat. What was he asking me right now? Was he being serious? “He smells so good,” Nora whispered, mesmerized by his nearness. “You want to kiss him, don’t you?” “We can’t…” I said to her; but she was right. His scent was so intoxicating and empowering. I wanted to press myself against him and feel the tenderness of hi
Hannah's POV "Good." His voice was husky and sexy. I closed my and stood on my tippy toes as I pressed my mouth to his. His sexy full lips were slightly hooked. He raised his hand to hold the back of my head, and he kissed me back. Hard. (3 days later) “Liam!!” I screamed as Liam walked into the palace, followed by Alpha King Sebastian. I couldn’t believe he actually managed to get my brother out of the hospital and to the palace. Then again, he was the Alpha King and there wasn’t much if anything, he couldn’t do. I wondered if my father and Naomi knew that Liam wasn’t in the hospital anymore. I wanted to laugh at the thought of their faces once they realized they no longer had the upper hand over my brother’s life. But I was so emotional and happy to see Liam that I couldn’t contain myself. Tears sprung from my eyes as I wrapped my arms around my little brother. He was only 19 years old, a year younger than me, but he still had the mind of a child due to the disability he was b
Sebastian's POV “It’s so beautiful,” Hannah breathed as Sebastian stood behind her, putting the necklace around her neck. Her cheeks were red as she turned to face him. “I’m afraid I can’t take this.” He stared around her serious and worried face with a frown. It was an antique necklace with a history of 500 years; she should be honored to have such a rare are gorgeous artifact. “I’m afraid I’ll only ruin it,” she admitted sheepishly, staring down at her feet. “Try taking it off if you dare,” he threatened coldly. … The car they rode in to get there was waiting for them as they left the auction. Lewis stood outside of the car with the doors open already. Sebastian allowed Hannah to enter the car first before he slid in beside her. A couple of the gamma soldiers were standing outside of the car and by their motorcycles, ready to accompany them and keep them protected from outside. Most of the drive was silent; Sebastian wondered if Hannah was still worried about owning such a nec
Sebastian's POV “Be alert at all times,” Sebastian ordered the gamma warriors upon arriving at the inauguration ceremony. He was invited to attend the ceremony at a public botanical garden. The gamma warriors nodded in understanding as they stayed close to Sebastian. The garden was already crowded once they arrived and one of the public speakers was beginning to make his speech. The crowd parted for Sebastian and the warriors to move through them; being a feared Alpha King, nobody dared to stand in his way. Sebastian kept his eyes straight ahead and only wandered a little once he reached the front of the ceremony and stood in his reserved spot. Along the inner corner of the garden were beautiful white tulips and he couldn’t help but think about Hannah. He remembered her mentioning once that her favorite flowers were tulips. Seeing the tulips blooming in the garden, under the scorching sun, Sebastian couldn’t help but think of Hannah’s sweet and lovely face. The thought almost made
Amy's POV “You betrayed us,” their father said in a low threatening tone to Hannah. Amy couldn’t help but smirk; she didn’t feel bad in the least that Hannah was being scolded. Hannah used her powers as luna to get her brother out of the hospital and placed in the palace. They had just arrived at the palace after her father told Hannah that they needed to speak. Amy was surprised that Hannah allowed them to enter the palace, but she stood before them with her arms folded across her chest and her lips pressed in a thin line. “I’m protecting my brother,” Hannah said in return. “You need to get us we asked for,” their father continued. “Or we will report to the Alpha King that you are only his replaced bride.” Amy wanted to laugh on the spot, but Hannah’s clothing caught her eyes. They were Haute Couture from luxury brands. Hannah wasn’t worthy enough to wear such designer clothing. “I want your clothing,” Amy said, interrupting her father’s scolding. They turned to frown at her, bu
Hannah's POV I sat in my brother’s room; I finally got him to sleep. He broke out in a fever, and he wouldn’t stop trembling. He was crying as I held him in my arms. My heart broke for him, and I didn’t know what to do. The doctor made an appearance as well and said that his condition seemed to be worsening. His current treatment was no longer working, and they weren’t sure what else to do for him. I haven’t stopped crying since my father left. I was too afraid to leave Liam’s room. I held myself tightly; pressing my knees to my chest as I curled up in his bed. “How’s your brother?” Sebastian asked from the doorway. I lifted my body weakly and sniffled. “Not good,” I said, my voice quivering. “He’s getting worse.” Sebastian looked sad for a moment, but then something dangerous flashed through his eyes. it nearly gave me a chill. I remembered how cold he was acting earlier; not that I should be surprised. He was was cruel wolf king. I shouldn’t expect anything more or less from hi