by Milly Taiden
As she walked the room, something caught her attention. A framed photo of a couple hanging on a wall. They were not that old in the photo, but it was clearly dated, so these must be the parents.
The woman was beautiful with flowing blonde hair. She looked a lot like Sarai. The father was a very handsome man with a stern look and piercing gaze. It was like looking at what Sebastian would have looked like without the scars.
"There you are!"
She slapped a hand on her chest and gave a loud shriek at the noise. Then she turned to glare at Sarai. "Don't do that! You scared me half to death."
Sarai gave an apologetic nod. "Sorry, I forgot you're not a shifter. We can hear people coming a mile away."
That would be a great trait to have. "No, I'm not. Where's your brother?"
Sarai grinned, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "He's growing on you, isn't he?"
She rolled her eyes and tried not to show the incredulity on her face. "Uh, no. I need to talk to him about Christian."
"Come on, he should be down shortly. Then you can grill him about your father," Sarai said, leading her back to the dining room.
"You know about Christian?" she asked.
Sarai nodded. "Of course. He’s done some unforgivable things. And I had to know the extent of how badly he’d behaved."
"Tell me." She leaned forward on the table, staring at her expectantly.
Sarai pursed her lips and gave a slow, doubtful shake of her head. "I don't think I should. This is something you and Seb should talk about."
"Well, can you tell me if he's alive?" she demanded.
"Oh, he's alive. For as long as you're here, he'll stay that way," came Sebastian's voice from the other end of the room.
6
Sebastian couldn't believe how beautiful Harper looked in the clothes he'd picked out for her. The tension was palpable in her, but she put up a good front. Her gaze met his and his beast roared to take his mate and claim her. To make her his and fill her with his seed.
Soon. Very soon. He offered her his arm. For a moment, she stared at it, undecided. He scented the sweet fragrance of her desire. She wanted him. He loved knowing that. Hesitation gone, she took his arm and allowed him to lead her to the dining table. He pulled her chair and waited for her to take a seat. He did the same for Sarai.
They were all in their destined places. Him at the head, Harper to his right, and Sarai to his left. It had been the same way with his parents.
His mom always sat to the right of his father. When he was a boy, he asked his dad why, and his answer told him even more than he realized about their marriage.
"Your mother is my right hand, son. I can live with getting my left hand cut off, but I use my right for everything. She's my lifeline. The one person I need to make me complete. She's my best friend and I couldn't imagine life without her. She will always sit to my right. As my partner. Your mate will one day, too."
His wolf wanted her. Harper. His mate. She was the only woman who could save his life. He knew she needed time to get to know him, but his birthday was coming up. The date loomed over his head like a sick reminder of how quickly his time was running out.
"Tell me what you did to Christian," Harper said with a glare.
He should tell her the truth, but that would get him nowhere. "It doesn't matter. He's alive as long as you stay and do what I ask."
Her glare turned deadly. The scent of her fury and watching the color ride her cheeks was sexy as hell.
"A baby. How do you suppose we do that?" she snapped. "I don't sleep with men I don't know."
A slow grin spread over his lips. "We'll get to know each other very soon."
"Seb!" Sarai chastised. "Look how uncomfortable you made her."
There was no more time for talking about how delightfully beautiful Harper looked when angry.
He'd been worried when she stared at his face earlier in his office and then in the glass room, but at least there hadn't been fear or disgust in her features. Not that it would have made a difference.
Sebastian didn't particularly want to die, but he felt it was time to claim what was his. Christian Burns had made the job easier for him. As long as she stayed, the millions owed to Sebastian would be forgiven. The deaths of his parents would go on the back burner when it came to revenge. Only if she stayed.
What Christian Burns didn't know was Seb had known from the beginning what Burns was doing. Seb simply gave him rope to hang himself.
Harper glanced at Sarai, her expression murderous. "He is not embarrassing me. He's the one intent on using me as some kind of breeding machine in exchange for whatever Christian did."
Sarai slipped a long blonde curl behind her ear. "Christian is not a very good man."
"I know," she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "He's not a good father, either."
Sarai stopped and frowned at her. "But you're willing to be here, do as Seb says to ensure he stays alive?"
He watched her fidget in her seat. "I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death."
Sarai glared at him as if trying to get him to reassure Harper her lowlife father was safe from harm. Not fucking likely.
"What's for dinner?" Seb demanded, the anger over the fact Christian had mistreated the one woman Seb would give his life for spiking his fury.
Sarai rolled her eyes and Harper pressed her lips into a tight line. He couldn't wait to watch her wrap those full, sexy lips around his cock. Fuck, she needed to stop fighting her desire for him.
He'd scented it enough times to know she wanted him. He wanted her willing and ready before they did anything. He wouldn't be blamed for forcing her.
Yes, he was keeping her in the castle under duress, but he would never gain her love by using force. Besides, she was free to go. He’d always bring her back, but she was free to go.
The doorbell rang at that moment. He raised his brows at Sarai.
"It's Delilah," Sarai told Harper. "She's my best friend."
Moments later, Delilah waltzed into the dining room, a wide smile on her lips as she glanced at the three of them at the table.
"Sorry, I'm late." Her eyes narrowed when she stopped on Harper. "Hell-o?"
Tom, the butler, pulled a chair for Delilah next to Sarai, where the fourth place was set on the table.
Delilah ignored Tom and kissed Sarai on the cheek then rushed over to give Sebastian a kiss and a hug.
Delilah had been a part of the family since Sarai had been a little girl, so he was used to her displays of affection.
"Nice to meet you," Harper muttered, her eyes flashing angrily from Sebastian to Delilah.
The wolf in Seb wanted to take his woman then and there. She was jealous. And he fucking loved it.
"Same here," Delilah replied as she sat in the chair Tom was still holding out for her. "So, who are you?"
Harper smiled coldly at Sebastian. "Me? I'm about to be his baby mama."
7
Harper didn't know why she said that, but that possessive glint in Delilah’s eyes really got on her nerves. This whole situation was crazy. Still, she couldn’t argue the fact that from the moment she set foot in Sebastian’s office, her desire for him made itself a breathing, living entity. She couldn’t control it and the longer they were together, the more she wanted him. It was crazy and scary.
“What in the world is she talking about?” Delilah asked Sarai.
Harper noticed the murderous look Delilah threw her way but chose to ignore it and focus on the woman pushing a massive cart into the room. It was clearly dinner and she was starved. What a day.
“Delilah, Harper is Sebastian’s Karsmena.”
Harper frowned at the word. She wasn’t sure what it meant or if it was even accurate. Did it mean woman he captured against her will to have his babies?
Delilah’s head snapped back to face Harper, her eyes wide with shock and anger. “She is?”
Harper nodded, as if she knew what the hell that word meant. She didn’t care. She lov
ed how annoyed the other woman was. It was childish, but it was clear to her Delilah had her sight set on Sebastian, and now that she was here, Harper was fucking up her plans. Too damn bad.
Nobody seemed to care about Harper’s plans so why should she care about anybody else? Besides, if by some miracle she ended up giving this insane idea of doing the horizontal polka with Sebastian a chance, she wasn’t sharing him.
“Well,” Delilah said with a tight smile, “this is interesting.”
“Indeed,” Harper agreed and glanced up to smile at the woman who filled her glass with white wine.
She wasn’t a drinker, but today she sure as hell needed it. A quick sniff and she realized this was her favorite wine. She took a tentative sip. Sure enough, it was the best Pinot Grigio she’d ever had. How did they know?
Plates of salad were placed in front of them. Sarai and Delilah quickly became engrossed in a conversation, leaving Harper to glance at Sebastian.
“Is the food to your liking?”
“Yes, thank you.” She wasn’t a salad eater, but she managed to take a few bites. “Will you please tell me what it was Christian did? I’m sure if I get a chance to talk with him, he could possibly make things okay again.”
Sebastian sipped his wine and stared at her so intently, he made the hairs on her arms stand on end. “I’m sorry, beautiful, but he would not. He’s been given enough chances.”
She leaned closer to him. “But you can’t keep me here to have your babies, Sebastian. Be reasonable.”
He took hold of the hand she’d placed near his and rubbed his thumb over it for just a second without saying a word. Then he went back to his food. “I am being very reasonable. I’ve yet to kill him.”
She gaped at him. He said it so nonchalantly while cutting the steak they’d just placed in front of him.
“Sebastian, I wanted to run something by you,” Sarai said, interrupting their private conversation.
He turned to his sister with a smile. “What’s that?”
“This year’s Spring Chase,” she said, her brows raised in expectation. “I was hoping we could hold the ball here since there is more than enough space and they can leave for the woods right after.”
“Excuse me,” Harper interjected. “What’s a Spring Chase?”
“It’s the annual event held by packs in which males and females find a mate and then go out into the woods for a chase. Once caught, the female is taken,” Sebastian replied. “It’s tradition.”
Harper nodded, trying to make sense of what they’d said. “Sounds like a big deal.”
“Oh, it is!” Sarai exclaimed excitedly. “This is the year a lot of our teens are making their first run. Like a debutante ball. But for shifters. It’s very busy and lots of fun to plan.”
“I used to work at Premier Events for a few years as an event manager. I can tell you that as long as there is no bridezilla, you can get any big event off without a hitch in no time.”
“Oh my gosh!” Sarai squealed. “You can help me.”
Harper frowned. “What? No, I—”
“Excellent idea,” Sebastian interjected with an evil grin. “You will have help now.”
“She had help already,” Delilah told him, her lips pursed.
“But this is wonderful,” Sarai replied. “Premier Events is the top of the line, so I know Harper must be amazing at this. Having someone who knows what to do to set the whole thing up will be really nice.”
“I guess,” Delilah muttered. Her rage showed clearly in her eyes, visible for only Harper to see.
“I’d be happy to help you,” she heard herself say. She had lost all control of her life and perspective of reality. These people had made her as crazy as them.
They ate their dinner between bouts of questions from Sarai to Harper about her thoughts on colors and décor. Harper watched Delilah turn to Sebastian and whisper something to him.
He smiled and she did the same, sharing in an intimate moment with him. Then she turned to Harper, evil happiness stamped all over her face. She leaned forward once again and whispered something else to Sebastian. He gave a booming chuckle and said something to the other woman.
Harper was ready to jump over the table and wipe the grin off her face. She glanced down at the dessert someone had put there to replace her half-eaten steak and picked up the spoon, unwilling to let the gorgeous crème brûlée bowl go back without being properly devoured.
The first spoonful of sweet, warm cream melted on her tongue. She moaned at the delicious flavor of cinnamon and vanilla exploding in her mouth. Her taste buds sighed in delight with every taste of the yummy dessert.
She opened her eyes and glanced at Sebastian between bites. He was ignoring Delilah and instead focused solely on Harper and the way she flicked her tongue over the spoon.
She shouldn’t play with fire, but an evil little devil inside her told her to continue what she’d been doing. The next bite of dessert, she brought straight to her mouth while keeping her gaze locked on Sebastian.
His jaw clenched and his fingers curled on the table. A bright glow took over his eyes. The sense of danger and restrained power emanated from him.
“Do you like it?” he asked, his voice low and rough and so sexy, it made her panties wet.
“I do. Crème brûlée is my favorite. The sweet cream and the hard sugar candy top make for amazing textures. Not to mention the flavor. Delicious.”
He cleared his throat. “I didn’t realize it had that kind of effect on you.”
Delilah glared daggers at her and she decided to do something completely reckless. She removed her sandal and reached her foot for his pant leg, running her toes over the leg closest to her. “Dessert is my favorite.”
His gaze darkened and his features turned animalistic. Hunger and need filled his gaze. He leaned closer to her. “I can think of something I love to eat a lot more than dessert.”
Holy Moses. She dropped her foot and licked her lips. “You have a great cook.”
After dinner, Sarai offered to take her to her room on her and Delilah’s way to hers. She was in her bedroom, pacing and wondering what the hell was wrong with her while staring at the garden. She needed to think.
It would be great to chat with Sebastian, but with the way her hormones were acting up, the last thing she needed was to jump head first into his crazy idea.
She took a bath in the massive jacuzzi in her bathroom. The scented oils there smelled so good. She picked one that was light and soothing, hoping it would help her relax.
Afterward, she changed into a cute nightie. It was soft and in her favorite purple color. Sleep was elusive, so she threw on a robe, some slippers, and headed for the garden.
8
The castle was quiet. When she saw the first guard on her way out the front door, she worried he’d stop her and tell her to go back to her bedroom, but he just nodded her way and kept walking. Sarai was right. They wouldn’t stop her from leaving.
A stone walkway led into the dimly lit gardens. Large rose bushes in colors she’d never seen adorned the path. Wind swirled around her, bringing the lovely scent of flowers to her nose.
This place was so pretty. Peaceful. If she’d come under different circumstances, she’d love the castle.
The atmosphere took an electric feel as she got farther down the path. She got to a spot where it split. A statue family with a baby pointed down one path, and a weeping angel down the other.
There was been too much stress in her life already. She chose the couple with the baby and continued forward.
Beautiful new plants in bright colors greeted her along the way. Her mother used to love her garden. It was small compared to this place, but she was out daily, talking to her plants. If only her mom had a chance to see this place. Thoughts of her mom reminded her of all the things she used to tell Harper about love.
Her mind immediately focused on Sebastian. No. No. No. He abducted her, for cripes’ sake! So what if he’d been a gentleman so far?
And gotten her a new wardrobe. She didn’t need new clothes.
Even if they were amazing and comfortable. She didn’t care that he was gorgeous and wild with that air of ultimate power that made her girl parts tingle. Or had amazing blue eyes with golden blonde hair she’d been itching to slide her fingers through.
No. Who cared that he gave her a gorgeous room in an amazing castle with people who had so far treated her like she was a guest? He still threatened to kill her father. The asshole sperm donor who probably did something to deserve his death, but still.
Did he really have to have a baby to live? And if so, could she do it? She wanted to see him dead just as much as she wanted to cut off her arm. The thought made her chest hurt. She wasn’t the type of person to wish ill on anyone. What about the attraction between you?
Good question. If they were in an actual relationship, she could see herself agreeing to have a baby with him. Ah, fuck. She needed to be honest. She might agree now and figure shit out later. Maybe joint custody could work. Or maybe you could just keep the big sexy beast. Right.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
She gasped and slapped a hand to her chest. “What is it with you people trying to scare me to death!”
Sebastian chuckled and prowled closer from between the darkened trees. “You were talking to yourself. Debating something under your breath.”
She shoved her hands into her robe and shrugged. “I have a lot to think about.”
“It seems to be stressing you.”
She gave a harsh laugh. “What do you expect? You bring me here, tell me my father traded my life for his, and oh, you need me to have a baby with you.” She gave him a hard look. “It’s a lot for a Monday.”
His lips lifted into a grin she shouldn’t find attractive, but at this point, she wasn’t even going to question her body’s reaction to him.
“What if we take the baby off the table. Will you stay here and get to know me?”
She frowned. “I thought you had to have a child to stay alive?”
