Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29

Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29
Bronte's POV

Sebastian steps inside and closes the door most of the way, leaving it open just a crack.

"You're back early," I say.

"Patrol didn't take as long as Alexander thought." He stays near the door, covered in dirt and sweat. "We need to talk about last night."

"What about it?"

"Don't do that. Don't pretend nothing happened."

"Nothing did happen. Alexander interrupted before—"

"Before what?" He takes a step closer. "Before we did something we can't take back?"

"Sebastian—"

"I've been out on that border all day trying not to think about it. Trying not to think about how close we were. How close I came to kissing you." He runs his hand through his hair. "And I can't stop thinking about it."

"We can't do this."

"I know."

"Alexander is already suspicious."

"I know that too."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I can't stay away." He moves closer. "I've tried. You know I've tried. But every time I tell myself to keep my distance, I end up right back here."

"This is dangerous."

"Everything about this is dangerous." He's close enough now that I can see the exhaustion in his eyes. "But I don't care anymore."

"You should care. We both should."

"Why? Because of Alexander? Because of the ceremony? Because of what people will think?"

"Yes, all of that."

"And what about what we think? What we feel?"

I don't answer because I don't trust what will come out.

"Last night," he says quietly. "When we were this close and Alexander knocked on the door. What were you thinking?"

"That we were about to make a terrible mistake."

"Is that really what you were thinking?"

"Yes."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"Then look at me and say it again."

I look at him and the words die in my throat.

"That's what I thought," he says.

"This doesn't change anything. I'm still marrying your brother."

"Are you?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"An honest one." He steps closer. "Because if you really wanted to marry him, if you really believed he was your mate, you wouldn't be standing here with me right now."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. Because I know you, Bronte. I know you're not the kind of person who plays with people's feelings. So if you're here, if you keep coming back to me the way I keep coming back to you, it's because you feel it too."

"Feel what?"

"This." He gestures between us. "Whatever this is. This pull, this connection, this thing that makes it impossible for me to breathe when I'm not near you."

I want to tell him about the bond, about the strings Irina showed me, about how the Moon Goddess gave us to each other.

But I can't.

Not yet.

Not until I figure out what it means.

"Sebastian—"

"Just tell me I'm not imagining it. Tell me you feel it too."

"Of course I feel it."

"Then why are we fighting this?"

"Because your brother—"

"Is my brother, I know. But he's also keeping secrets from you."

I freeze. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I saw him last night. Around midnight. Leaving the pack house."

"You followed him?"

"I couldn't sleep. I was walking the grounds and I saw him leave. So yes, I followed him."

"Where did he go?"

"To Serena's house on the edge of the territory." He watches my face carefully. "He was there for two hours."

"I know."

"You know?"

"I saw him leave too. I just didn't follow him."

Sebastian's expression darkens. "And you're still going to marry him? Knowing he's sneaking around with her?"

"It's complicated."

"It's not complicated. He's lying to you. Using you. Keeping you as his perfect future Luna while he—" He stops and takes a breath. "You deserve better than that."

"And you're better?"

"I don't know. Maybe not. But at least I'm honest about what I want."

"And what do you want?"

He looks at me and I see everything he's been holding back written across his face.

"You," he says simply. "I want you."

We're too close now, the space between us charged with everything we're not saying, everything we're trying not to do.

"Sebastian—"

Footsteps in the corridor outside.

We both freeze.

The footsteps get closer, slow and deliberate.

"Bronte?" Alexander's voice. "Are you in there?"

Sebastian and I look at each other.

"The window," I whisper.

"What?"

"Go. Now."

He moves quickly to the window and opens it while I go to my door.

"Just a second," I call to Alexander.

I hear Sebastian climbing out onto the trellis and I wait until I'm sure he's clear before I open my door.

Alexander stands there, his eyes immediately scanning my room.

"Were you sleeping?" he asks.

"Trying to. You said you'd be gone for hours."

"The meeting ended early." He steps forward. "Can I come in?"

"Of course."

He walks in and looks around slowly, his eyes taking in every detail. The slightly open window. The dirt on the floor near it. The way I'm standing between him and the window like I'm blocking something.

"Is everything alright?" he asks.

"Fine. Why?"

"I thought I heard voices."

"I was talking to myself. Trying to sort through some things."

"What kind of things?"

"Just ceremony details. Nothing important."

He moves to the window and looks out, his eyes scanning the grounds below.

"This window is open," he says.

"I wanted fresh air."

"It's cold out."

"I like the cold."

He closes the window and turns to face me, his expression unreadable.

"You look flushed," he says.

"I was just lying down."

"Were you?" He takes a step closer. "Or was someone just here?"

"Why would someone be here?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." He's right in front of me now. "Because something feels off, Bronte. Like you're hiding something."

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Then why won't you look at me?"

I force myself to meet his eyes. "I'm looking at you now."

He studies my face for a long moment, then steps back.

"Get some rest," he says. "You look exhausted."

"I am."

"We'll have that lunch tomorrow. Just us. No interruptions."

"Okay."

He moves to the door, then pauses and looks back.

"Bronte?"

"Yes?"

"If something was wrong, if someone was bothering you, you'd tell me. Right?"

"Of course."

"Good." He opens the door. "Because I protect what's mine. Always."

He leaves and I lean against the closed door, my heart pounding.

That was too close.

Again.

Hours pass and I can't settle, can't rest, can't stop thinking about Sebastian's face when he said he wanted me.

Around eleven, I finally give up on sleep and just lie there in the dark.

That's when I see it.

A piece of paper sliding under my door.

I get up and grab it, unfolding it quickly.

Two words in handwriting I recognize.

Library. Midnight.

I look at the clock.

11:47.

I have thirteen minutes to decide if I'm going to meet him or if I'm going to stay here where it's safe.

Thirteen minutes to choose between doing the right thing and doing what I want.

I look at the note again.

Then I get dressed.