Chapter 57 Chapter 57

Chapter 57 Chapter 57
SEBASTIAN

My blood was already boiling when I pulled into the driveway. The moment I saw Graham standing at the entrance with Ruby, I let out a low growl, my wolf stirring inside me.

What was he fucking doing here?

I was already fucking furious. The second Kiara called me earlier, telling me that my father had ordered Lizzy to stay in school, I knew something—or someone—had gotten to him. And when I arrived at the packhouse, I saw Doctor Sam just getting into his car.

I didn’t know what the hell Doctor Sam had said, but whatever it was, it made my father refuse to hear a damn word from me.

Not even my mother could sway him, and that pissed her off badly. I had never seen my father dismiss her like that before. It surprised me, making me wonder what kind of deal Doctor Sam had made with him.

He hadn't even let me speak before shutting his office door in my face.

I had stormed out of there in a rage. And now, coming home to find Doctor Sam’s son in my house?

With Ruby?

What was he fucking telling her?

I barely had time to turn off the engine before I was out of the car, slamming the door behind me as I stalked toward them, my steps unrelenting.

Ruby’s eyes widened as she turned to face me, and Graham—battered and bruised like he’d just crawled out of a damn fight—stared back. For a second, he looked like he wanted to run.

Good. He should.

Seeing him this close to Ruby only pissed me off more.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" My voice was low, dangerous.

I walked straight to Ruby’s side, pulling her a little away from him.

"You haven’t answered me," I said, my tone sharp.

"I just came to talk to Ruby..."

"About your fucking mate, huh?" I raised a brow.

"Sebastian, I want—"

"My father refused to listen to me because of your fucking mate."

I didn’t even realize when I grabbed his shirt and pulled him close.

"Seb, please. Let him go," Ruby said, her voice a soft plea. Her light dimmed the darkness inside me, but the fact that my father had ignored both me and Mom earlier still blinded me with rage.

"What the fuck your father told my father to make him order your fucking mate to stay in school," I spat at his face but I didn't miss the flicker of surprise across Ruby’s face.

Graham grunted, shaking his head.

"Do you know how much hell Ruby went through because of your mate? Even now, as the future Luna, she still won’t stop. Do you even understand what it means to disrespect the Luna of this pack?"

I tightened my grip on his shirt, my hands pressing against his throat. He groaned, struggling to peel my hands off.

"Seb, just let him go. He didn’t come here because of Lizzy," Ruby said again, and this time, I gave in to her light.

I shoved Graham back, watching as he coughed. Ruby looked like she wanted to go to him, and I hated that.

If he’s not here to beg for his mate, then why the hell is he here?

"You hit him, and now you want...Seb, this is getting to be too much."

My brows furrowed before realization hit me. I turned to Graham, my voice ice-cold.

"Did he tell you I was the one who did that to him?" I pointed to Graham’s battered face.

Ruby looked confused, her gaze shifting to Graham, probably expecting him to say something.

"It was Aiden," Graham sighed.

"He hit me because of what Lizzy did to you," he added.

"Good," I said coldly. "I would have appreciated it more if your eyes were no more to find your way to this place."

Graham looked at me like I had just murdered someone.

"Leave," I growled.

He held my gaze for a beat before turning to Ruby and taking a step toward her.

"I said leave!"

"I will not leave until I talk to Ruby," Graham shot back, as if challenging me.

A muscle in my jaw ticked. My first instinct was to shut him down, to push him away, but Ruby’s voice reached me before I could react.

"Sebastian, please allow me to talk to him," she said softly.

"Maybe a moment ago, I would have let him talk to you, but not now. There's nothing he has to say that isn't rubbish. And I can’t stand here while you listen to him."

I grabbed her wrist tightly so that she winced but all focus was on Graham.

"She’s my mate. I decide who gets to talk to her or not. So, good night."

I opened the door, stepped inside with Ruby, and slammed it shut in Graham’s face.

Tense silence filled the air as Ruby pulled her wrist free and looked down at the red mark I had left.

Fuck.

I took a step toward her, but she stepped back.

"Ruby... I'm sorry," I whispered.

She blew out a breath, as if trying to hold back her frustration. Her eyes moved from me to the door.

"Sebastian, you should have let him say whatever he needed to say."

"Does what he has to say even mean anything to you?" My voice came out colder than I intended.

"What if it means something?" she shot back.

I stared at her, frowning in surprise.

Did she still love Graham?

The thought sent something sharp slicing through my chest.

"I didn’t need you to chase Graham away like that. I could’ve handled it on my own," she added, frustration laced in her voice.

"Ruby, I was only trying to protect you from him," I said gently.

"Protecting me or trying to control me?" she muttered.

I took a step back, the air between us thick with unspoken words.

I had done everything for her to make her happy, and this was what she thought?

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked out the back door. I needed to get away before I said something I couldn’t take back.