“That bastard!” Meredith hissed.
“What the fuck did I do?” Sebastian asked, rubbing his neck. The wildcat was quick and strong. Or should he say she-wolf?
“You drove her away!” the blonde cried, her face twisted in hate. “My only friend! She cared for you, and you only saw her as a monster! Well, let me tell you this—Jade is the most incredible and sweet woman you’ll ever meet and she’s too good for you! You’re the monster, you asshole!”
“Hold on!” Sebastian growled. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Jade told me everything! She finally found her she-wolf and saved your sorry ass, and then you rejected her!”
“Rejected her?”
“Stop acting like you don’t know!” Meredith huffed. “You were fucking there that night!”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about! And where is Jade? I want to see her now!” His eyes shifted into their gold color, the anger rising in him. The power burst from him again, this time, much stronger than before.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Meredith reeled back. She grabbed at her chest, as if she were having a hard time breathing. “What the flying fuck are you?”
“Shit!” Grant cursed. “No one else is supposed to know! Creed, simmer down!”
Sebastian felt the anger subside, and his eyes returned to normal. “Someone tell me where she is. Now.”
Grant and Alynna looked at each other. “She left,” Alynna said.
Meredith’s brows knitted in confusion. “She told me you hated her, what she was!”
“What the fuck gave her that idea?”
The blonde Lycan shrugged. “Jade said when she came to check on you, you tried to get away from her! She said you looked at her like she was some disgusting animal!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I was shot in the shoulder! I was falling on my ass from the blood loss, not to get away from her. And I had just seen her transform into a giant gray wolf!” He rubbed his hands down his face. “Shit. Where is she? I need to explain everything to her.”
“She went to San Francisco with Lara and Liam,” Meredith said.
“Fuck!” Sebastian had to get to her. Now. He couldn’t stand it, having her think that he was disgusted by her, when it was the opposite. Jade’s she-wolf was fucking impressive and he could never think she was a monster. If anything, it was him who was the monster. He marched out, heading towards the elevators.
“Where are you going?” Grant called out as Sebastian stalked away from them.
“Where do you think?”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The morning after their discovery, Lara kicked Jade out of bed. She shoved the Lycan into the bathroom and stood guard outside until Jade finished showering and got dressed in clean clothes.
“Seriously? You’re kicking a pregnant lady out of the house?” Jade pouted.
“Oh, so you’re ready to admit you’re pregnant?” Lara countered. “And I’m not kicking you out of my home. I’m encouraging you to go out and get some fresh air.”
“I don’t want fresh air!” She threw her hands up.
“Your baby needs it!” Lara countered. She let out a resigned sigh. “Look, I’m tired of you locking yourself up and feeling sorry for yourself.” Taking Jade’s hands in hers, she led her outside of the room. “We’re going for a picnic brunch.” The witch picked up a heavy wicker basket that was on the floor. “I have chocolate muffins in here. I’ll give them to you if you’re a good little Lycan, okay?”
“Fine,” Jade grumbled. “Let’s go.”
With the basket between them, Lara and Jade walked down to the Marina Green Triangle, a park in the north end of San Francisco. There was a wide expanse of soft green grass at the park that was perfect for picnics and sunbathing, not to mention viewing the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge. Lara spread out the red and white checkered blanket and unpacked the massive lunch that could feed ten men or two pregnant Lycans. They ate and watched the people around them playing frisbee, walking their dogs, playing soccer, and flying kites.
“What are you going to do?” Lara asked finally. They put the dirty dishes back in the basket and then lay back on the blanket.
“I don’t know,” she confessed. She’d been up all night, trying to come to terms with it all. Pregnant. With Sebastian’s child. Her hand immediately went to her stomach. Looking over at Lara, she saw the witch smile as her hand did the same thing to her own belly.
“You have to tell him,” Lara said. “He has a right to know.”
“You weren’t there, Lara,” Jade reasoned. “I just can’t…I can’t…” She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
“But you can’t raise the baby alone.”
“Lara, this isn’t the Dark Ages. A woman can raise a child by herself.”
“But you don’t have to. You have a mate.”
“I think I’ve proven that just because you have a True Mate, doesn’t mean you’ll end up together,” she replied bitterly. Sebastian’s rejection was still gnawing at her, and she used all her might to push away those feelings.
“You don’t know that,” Lara pointed out.
“Do you know where he is?” Jade couldn’t help it. She needed to know he was safe.
Lara shook her head. “All Liam told me is that Grant is keeping him at Fenrir until the Lycan High Council decides what to do.”
Jade shuddered. They wouldn’t kill Sebastian for knowing their secret. But they could make his life difficult. Her stomach dropped, thinking of all the trouble she caused him. How she destroyed his life.
“I’m tired,” Jade said, turning away from Lara, not wanting to talk anymore.
“Go on and take a nap,” Lara urged. She took a book from her purse. “I’ll be here.”
Jade closed her eyes, feeling the sun on her skin and the cool wind whipping around her. By the time she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
“Lara,” she called, her eyes fluttering open. She put her hands in front of her face, shielding herself from the harsh sun “What time is it?”
A large shadow blocked the sun, and she put her hand down slowly. “Lara?”
“Jade.”
Her heart slammed into her chest with such force she thought she would faint. She scrambled off the blanket, grabbing it as she stood, clutching it to her chest. “S—s—sebastian? How did you find me?”
“You can run, but I’ll always find you.” He stood there, looking handsome as ever, his face drawn into a frown. “Why did you leave?”
“I…” She stood rooted to the spot. “Where’s Lara?”
“Liam brought me here, she’s over there,” he jerked his thumb to a black town car sitting at the edge of the park. “Now, answer my question.”
She took a deep breath. “You…you saw me. What I am.”
“Yes, I did.”
“I’m a monster!” she cried, her hands holding onto the blanket so tight her knuckles went white.
“You’re not!” he scolded. “And I won’t have you calling yourself that!” He stalked over to her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. “Look at me. You’re not a monster.”
“I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “When you saw me, you were—”
“Meredith told me what you thought you saw. That you thought I was repulsed by seeing your she-wolf.”
“Weren’t you?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No way. I was losing a lot of blood and going delirious. I couldn’t stay on my feet. I’m sorry you thought I was trying to get away from you, but I wasn’t. I don’t think you’re a monster. Your she-wolf is fucking gorgeous, and she saved me.”
Jade let out a soft cry, and Sebastian crushed her against his chest. He let out a big sigh of relief as he wound his arms around her. “Don’t cry, darlin’. You don’t know what it does to me.”
“But I ruined your life now,” she said sadly. “Just like I destroyed my classmates’ lives.” She told him the full story of
what happened during the bus accident and what happened to the children’s lives afterwards.
“You didn’t ruin my life, Jade,” he said as he held her while she sobbed. “You saved it.”
“I don’t understand.”
Sebastian let go of her, and then tipped her chin up. She gasped as she saw his eyes turn from stormy gray to bright gold.
Mine. Ours. Mate.
Her she-wolf knew. She acknowledged his animal, whatever it was. It was like she reached out to Sebastian, to the creature trapped inside him. The power that burned through him made her knees weak. “Sebastian.”
“I’m the monster, Jade,” he confessed. “Not you.”
She shook her head. “No. You’re not. She…my wolf…she’s calling to you. Your animal. Can you feel it?”
His eyes burned brighter, as if acknowledging her she-wolf’s presence. “Yes,” he nodded, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, they were back to their usual color. “I can feel her.”
“What is it, Sebastian?” Jade asked. “What’s your animal?”
“I don’t know,” he shook his head. “But let’s take a walk. I’ll tell you everything.” He took her hand and they walked down to the pathway right next to the bay. Jade listened as he recounted the story, the horrors of his capture and the man in robes who put The Beast in him.
“So, you can’t shift?”
“I don’t even know if I’m supposed to,” Sebastian shrugged. “Maybe I’m just meant to live my life, sharing my body with The Beast.”
She looked up at him sadly. Truth be told, ever since the she-wolf came back, Jade never felt more whole. Her animal wasn’t even angry at her, as she thought it might be. Despite vowing she would push the animal away, she was ready to embrace it.
“Like I said, it doesn’t matter.” He stopped, as they had reached the end of the pathway. “Come back home with me, Jade. And don’t run from me again.”
Jade swung her gaze over to him. “Yes, I’ll come back home with you.”
***
After their talk, Jade and Sebastian walked back to the car where Liam and Lara were waiting for them. The witch had a big, smug smile on her face, while the Alpha welcomed them warmly. He invited Sebastian to stay the night at Gracie Manor before they left in the morning. He accepted and that night they all had dinner, along with Liam’s mother, Akiko. Afterwards, Sebastian declined the nightcap Liam offered and hauled Jade back to bed, but not before asking Liam if Gracie Manor had modern soundproofing, much to Jade’s embarrassment.
They made love the whole night, as if they’d been apart for years instead of just three days. Still, they couldn’t get enough of each other. Jade was exhausted, but happily so.
They spent the next morning languidly lying in bed, wrapped up in each other’s arms, talking.
“Um … porcupine?” Jade offered when Sebastian asked her what she thought The Beast was.
Sebastian guffawed. “What? Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re so prickly and cute!”
“I’m not cute! Try again, darlin’. You know it’s probably something badass.”
Jade thought for a moment. “How about a lion?”
“I bet you’d like that, Future Cat Lady.” He grabbed her hips and hauled her on top of his chest.
She let out a laugh as he tickled her sides and she wiggled around to get away from him. He rolled them over and pinned her to the mattress.
“Sebastian…” she warned. “We need to get ready. I want to have breakfast with Lara and Liam before we go.”
“Fine.” He gave her a quick kiss on the mouth. “But once we get back to New York, I won’t be letting you out of bed for at least a week.”
Jade showered and got dressed, putting on her last borrowed outfit from Lara. She came to San Francisco without any luggage at all and had survived by borrowing clothes from her friend. Sebastian finished getting ready, and then they headed downstairs for breakfast.
After their meal, Lara and Liam walked them to the curb, where the town car was waiting to bring them to the private airstrip holding Sebastian’s jet.
“Are you headed back to New York right away?” Liam asked.
Sebastian shook his head. “No, we’re making one more stop in Tennessee to see my momma.”
Lara hugged Jade, and then let out a laugh. She bumped their bellies together. “Pretty soon, we’re not going to be able to hug each other.”
Jade froze. She brought her lips close to her friend’s ear. “Lara, please. Don’t say anything.”
“Jade!” the redhead admonished in a whisper. “You didn’t tell him?”
How could she? When was she going to tell him? Yesterday was a blur, with so many things happening between them. She wanted to tell him, but couldn’t find the right time.
“Everything OK?” Liam asked.
Lara grabbed Jade’s hand. “I think I saw your tablet in the living room, Jade. We’ll be right back,” she said to the two men before dragging the Lycan back into the house. “Explain,” she demanded when they were alone.
“There wasn’t any time!” she reasoned.
“So, tell him now!”
“I…”
“What’s the real reason you’re not telling him your pregnant, or that you’re True Mates?” Lara asked, her green eyes narrowing at her.
“I’m just…I’m not sure!” Jade shook her head. “He’s…he says he wants to be with me, but…”
“Has he told you he loves you?”
“No,” Jade admitted. And that was what was bothering her. Despite her protestations about love, her own views on marriage and relationships, it still stung that Sebastian hadn’t told her he loved her, especially since she was 100 percent sure she was in love with him.
“Jade,” Lara began. “Maybe he’s just not the type to say it. Why don’t you tell him you love him?”
“I can’t,” she cried.
“At least tell him he’s going to be a father! You’re making a mistake not telling him right away. Believe me, I know!”
“Jade! Lara!” Liam called out to them.
“Coming!” Jade said. “Look, I’ll tell him when the timing’s right.”
“You tell him right now!”
“I’m not ready.” Jade gave her friend a quick hug. “I’ll call you when I get to New York, okay” She walked out before Lara could say anything else.
“Everything all right?” Sebastian was frowning at her.
“Yes,” she lied. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Have you received any more visions from Daric, Master?” Victoria asked.
“No,” Stefan shook his head. “And every day, I feel my influence over him weakening.”
“Are the Lycans turning him against us?” Victoria suggested. “Could he be making a deal with them?”
The master mage grew quiet, his bony fingers stroking his chin. I can’t ignore that possibility, but he will never dare try to harm me.” Thin, gray lips curled into a smile. “Not while I have her.”
“Master? Who are you talking about?”
Stefan stood up, his black robes swishing around him like a dark cloud. He extended his hand. “Come with me.”
The redheaded witch placed her hand in his. She held her breath, knowing what was coming next. The coldness blanketed her, then her body shimmered and vanished, only to reappear again in another location. The master’s powers were great, allowing him to travel great distances and take whomever he wanted with him. Victoria had never seen such a gift. Stefan and Daric were the only two magical beings she knew who had such power.
They were standing in a cold, dark cave. Electric lamps were strung along the stone walls, and Victoria followed Stefan as he led her down the long path. They stopped at the end, right in front of a metal door. With a wave of his hand, the locks clicked open and Victoria stepped inside.
“What is this place, Master?” Victoria asked.
“In here, I keep my g
reatest asset.”
“A weapon?” Victoria echoed.
“Not quite, but close.” Stefan reached for a switch on the left side and flipped it on. A light overhead flickered, then bathed the room in an eerie light.
Victoria’s eyes were drawn to the middle of the room. Sitting on a single chair was a figure, hunched over. Long dirty blonde hair covered the figure’s face. It was a woman, as far as she could tell. She was wearing ragged brown robes that hung over her frail body and her feet were bare.
“Signe.”
The woman’s head slowly looked up. She had a pale face and her turquoise eyes were filled with hate as she looked at Stefan. “Magus,” she rasped.
“It’s time to go, Signe.”
Chapter Thirty
The jet took off from San Francisco and landed in Knoxville a few hours later. Connie was surprised and, of course, delighted that Sebastian and Jade decided to visit. Jade was happy to see the other woman, too, and it gave her an excuse not to tell Sebastian about the pregnancy. After all, how could she reveal the news when they didn’t have a lot of privacy? Plus, Connie lived all by herself in the big house and hadn’t seen anyone since the funeral. Jade couldn’t take Sebastian’s attention away from her, not when she was enjoying her son’s company. This trip was about Connie, not her.
They only stayed one night, but they made plans for Connie to come visit them in New York the next month. Jade was happy to stay in the big log house again, this time under much happier circumstances. She and Sebastian also made good use of the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. She enjoyed it so much he declared that he was going to install one in the loft in New York.
So, here she was, nearly a week after they arrived back home and she still hadn’t told him. He still hadn’t said anything about their relationship either. Sure, he did move her into his loft as he had planned right before Victoria’s attack, but, they didn’t talk of marriage or (though she hated to be a cliche) defined their relationship. What was she to him? Girlfriend seemed too trite. Whatever they were, she needed to know.
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