Chapter 72 SOMETHING HAPPENED TO SEBASTIAN
RAGNAR'S POV
I clamp down on my aggression before my dominance spills into the room unchecked.
I don't know what's happening to me but I'm no longer the cool levelheaded Alpha I used to be.
All of a sudden, all problems that happen in front of me or before me look like they can be easily solved with a fist from me.
“You know why you're like this, don't pretend.”
Yurik chides me in my mind.
I'm truly confused.
Why?
“Well it's because you're denying your instincts to claim you-know-who.”
And like a cruel joke from Yurik, flashes of that night permeate my mind and all of a sudden, I'm no longer thinking of boring old men who looked like they needed a very good lay.
I'm thinking of a tall Omega with a perky butt and a back arch that could make even the most ascetic monk bend for him as I instantly double in size.
Great.
Here I am deciding and debating someone's life and death and in front of all these old fogies and Rival Alphas, I'm sporting an erection.
Way to go.
It's like that dream everyone has of being naked in school and everyone is clothed.
“This challenge exists because you all allow rage and petty jealousy to cloud your very sound judgement,” I say instead. “You resent me and we all know you resent change. You resent and detest the fact that the realm listens when I speak.”
Torin’s expression hardens.
I’ve hit a sore spot.
He had always wanted to be an Alpha and as even a late bloomer only for him to manifest as a Beta.
“You are not untouchable, Ragnar.”
“I never claimed to be.” I reply smugly.
“But you act as though you are.” Malvek warns me.
The air thickens with embarrassment and rage.
The weight of politics presses down on me like storm clouds.
We go back and forth for nearly an hour, clause by clause, amendment by amendment and I make sure there's equal representation in judgment and from other Alphas including the removal of automatic disqualification for non-command projection.
Then, I move through a review of “biological suitability” language that disproportionately disqualifies Omegas from formal defense roles that other wolves have easy access to.
Every inch I've gained costs something from me.
Every word feels like a blade drawn slowly across old scars as all of a sudden, I'm everyone's enemy.
I am swamped and exhausted.
By stupid laws and traditions.
By the knowledge that if I lose this political battle before the physical one even begins, Sebastian will step into that arena already doomed.from the start.
My father’s words echo in the back of my mind.
Attachment creates leverage for your enemies to use.
I shove the thought aside.
“We will reconvene at dusk,” Malvek says finally, exhaustion threading through his voice. “The amendment proposal will be reviewed.”
It’s not an approval . But at the same time, it’s not a refusal.
And for now, that’s enough.
The Alphas rise one by one, robes scratching across stone as they exit in clusters. Conversations start immediately, and I could actually meet on who and what they're talking about.
Torin lingers as they file out.
“You push hard,” he remarks quietly.
“I don’t push,” I reply. “I stand on what is right.”
His gaze sharpens.
“Be careful you don’t stand alone.”
He leaves before I can respond.
The chamber empties and silence settles in the hall.
I release the slow breath I've been holding, bracing my palms against the table.
The weight of it all presses in on me. The challenge logistics, guard rotations so we don't suffer an attack from Rogues or stupid Alphas and with the external pack observers arriving within days.
.
And beneath all of it–
Sebastian.
I close my eyes briefly.
He looked so small and frightened when I left trying to be brave.
Guilt coils low in my stomach.
I did this.
I am asking him to survive a storm meant for me.
I was a coward.
The bond hums faintly in my chest at that fact.
So I straighten up, there’s still much work to do.
I step into the corridor, already issuing quiet orders to passing guards with the training schedules adjusted.
I confirm that perimeter checks are doubled and arena preparations are inspected twice.
“Ensure medical staff are on standby during the challenge,” I add. “Not outside the grounds but inside.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“And review combat brackets. I want confirmation that no two allied packs are paired consecutively together.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Everything must be controlled and every variable should be accounted for.
I descend the western stairwell toward the strategy hall when-
It happens.
Not pain.
Not at first.
It’s… all wrong all of a sudden.
The bond stutters once and shifts inside me rapidly as if in panic.
Like a heartbeat skipping.
I freeze mid-step holding one hand to my chest as I bow over.
The guard behind me nearly collides with my back.
“Alpha?”
Silence roars in my ears.
The hum in my chest flickers.
Then tightens sharp like a thread pulled too hard.
My hand presses flat against my sternum instinctively.
What?!
Another pulse but this time it's stronger with not fear, not confusion, but something feral.
Like something I'd feel from an angry Yurik.
A surge of violent emotion slams through the bond and directly at me with a rage so intense it almost burns.
My breath catches.
“Clear the corridor,” I ordered quietly.
The guards hesitate only a second before moving.
The sensation shifts to predatory and after a while, horror.
It crashes into me so abruptly my knees nearly give.
Sebastian.
Why am I feeling more of his emotions?
Something is wrong, very wrong. Why is he feeling like this when he's supposed to be in the training yard?
I don’t know what is going on with him or where he is.
But the bond feels… strained.
Like he's being threatened.
Like it’s being pulled toward something dangerous that could kill him.
My wolf surges forward, restless and alert.
“Find him.” Yurik says to me.
“I want his location,” I snapped to the nearest runner. “Now!”