Chapter 13 A Flash of Red
Sienna
Jordan didn't just step back; he practically bolted, putting as much distance between us as humanly possible. He opened his mouth, probably to save his own skin, but I cut him off before he could utter a single syllable.
“I was just asking Jordan for a little favor,” I said, my voice sounding way more casual than I intended.
“Since when did you and Jordan become so familiar?” Sev asked. His expression was a weird mix of confusion and something that looked a lot like he didn't appreciate the view.
“Well, Jordan’s my buddy. I just feel comfortable around him, you know?” I gave Jordan a light, playful nudge with my elbow. He didn't nudge back; he just stared at me with a look that said, 'You are going to get me killed.'
Sev tilted his head, his gaze flickering between us. “And this favor is?”
“Um... a laptop,” I blurted out, grabbing the first believable excuse I could find. “I realized I’m going to need one for my classes. Requirements and all that.”
“Then you should have asked me,” Sev replied, sliding one hand into his pocket.
“I just figured you were busy. I thought Jordan could pass the message along so I wouldn't bother you.” I flashed him a forced, overly bright smile and grabbed onto Jordan’s arm again. “Anyway! Goodnight, Sev. Don't work too hard!”
Before he could cross-examine me any further, I practically dragged a very reluctant Jordan down the hall, keeping my grip tight until we were well out of Sebastian's line of sight.
Once we were safely out of sight, I leaned in and hissed a whisper. "I promise, I’m just going in to grab one thing and then I’m out. Please, please, please."
He looked at me like I was a permanent pain in his ass, his shoulders slumping as he finally accepted defeat. With a heavy sigh, he pressed the key into my palm.
"Very well. However, remember,” he warned. "The Alpha frequents that room every evening between eleven and three. If you must go, I strongly advise you to do so during the daylight hours."
My hands were shaking so hard I could barely guide the key into the lock, but I managed to slip through the black door at exactly 10:30 PM.
I made sure to click the lock behind me; the last thing I needed was Sev walking in and catching me before I was ready.
As I stepped further into the room, his scent hit me. I had to hand it to him; he smelled incredible.
I was pacing the floor, trying to settle my nerves, when my heart nearly stopped. Footsteps were echoing from the hallway. I realized then that the room wasn't soundproofed—which was probably a deliberate, twisted part of the "play" that happened in here.
"Focus," I hissed to myself. My fingers fumbled with the sash of my robe, slowly untying the knot.
Click.
The lock turned, and the door began to creak open. This was it.
In one desperate motion, I let the robe fall open, flashing the red lace and far too much skin at... not Sev.
A scream ripped from my throat as I realized it was the Beta standing in the doorway. He looked just as horrified as I was.
I scrambled to pull the silk back around me, practically diving into a crouch on the floor as I tried to disappear into my own skin.
“Uh…” was all he could manage. The silence that followed was agonizing, thick with the kind of embarrassment that makes you want to actually die.
“Don't worry,” he stammered. “I’m a married man.”
When I risked a glance up, his eyes was glued firmly to the ceiling, but he looked utterly bewildered, his face a mask of confusion as he clearly tried to process why I was currently lurking in here wearing nothing but red string and lace.
“Well… aren't you essentially Sebastian’s sister?” Tristan stammered, his eyes still carefully fixed on a very interesting spot on the wall. “I didn't think he’d actually… I mean, you’re so young.”
“I’m not that young!” I snapped, finally finding my feet and cinching the sash of my robe so tight it nearly cut off my air.
I was just starting to move past the initial wave of mortification when the door swung open again. This time, it was Sev.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice sharp and demanding. He looked at Tristan, who could only offer a pathetic, vague gesture in my direction.
The weight of my own stupidity finally crashed down on me. I stood there, face burning, as I realized I’d planned this grand, provocative reveal for Sev and ended up giving his Beta a front-row seat instead.
When Sev finally realized I was standing there in the middle of his private sanctuary, his expression mirrored the shock Tristan and I had shared moments ago. But his surprise didn't last long, it was quickly replaced by something much darker.
“Why…” He trailed off, his eyes scanning my disheveled robe and the hint of red lace peeking through. His jaw tightened, a hard line of anger forming as he processed the scene. “Leave, Tristan. Now.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Right. Sure,” Tristan muttered, clearly disoriented and more than happy to escape the fallout. He set a large, heavy-looking briefcase down by the door and scrambled out, making sure the door clicked firmly shut behind him.
Now that I was alone with Sev, the silence was deafening. I could feel my heart thumping against my ribs so hard it was almost painful, especially with the way his eyes were boring into me, intense and unforgiving.
“Why—” I started, but my voice cracked, betraying my nerves. I swallowed hard and tried again. “Uh... why was the Beta here?”
“I should be the one asking you that. Why are you here?” he countered. I couldn't hold his gaze anymore, so I looked down, only to see his black leather shoes right in front of mine. He was already standing directly in my space. “Hmm? Mind explaining, Sien?”
“I-I...” The sound of my own pulse was roaring in my ears now. I could feel the heat rising up my back, my skin prickling with a mix of fear and adrenaline.
He let out a long, heavy breath—the kind that signaled his patience was at its absolute limit. “Return to your room at once. That’s an order. I don’t want to hear about this again, and I never want to find you inside this room again. Understood?”