Chapter 20 –
Rhianna’s POV
My fingers were still wrapped around the empty glass of orange juice when Hardin came back from the kitchen, his hair damp and sticking to his forehead like he’d just thrown cold water over his face. He leaned casually against the doorframe, looking entirely too comfortable for a man who had seen me half-naked last night.
“Well,” he said with a crooked grin that made my stomach flip in the most annoying way, “you survived breakfast. How’s the head?”
I glared at him. “Still pounding. Thanks for asking.”
He chuckled low in his throat and sauntered closer, sitting at the edge of the bed as if it was his. “You’re lucky you didn’t vomit on me last night.”
My eyes widened, horror slicing through the fog in my head. “Wait. Did I try?”
“Oh, you tried.” He was laughing now, full and unrestrained. “You literally leaned against my shoulder and said—” His voice dropped into a mock-dramatic whisper, “‘Hold my hair, Hardin, I think I’m going to—’”
I groaned and clapped my hands over my face. “Stop! Oh my goddess, stop! I don’t need to hear this!”
I could feel the heat creeping up my neck. This was mortifying.
Hardin’s grin only widened. “You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”
I peeked at him through my fingers. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s true.”
“Because I don’t want you thinking I’m cute when I’m hungover,” I muttered, though I could feel the corner of my mouth twitch.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping, suddenly serious. “I think you’re cute all the time, Little Wolf. Hungover or not.”
My chest tightened at the sound of that nickname, but I shoved it down quickly, throwing a pillow at his face. “Shut up!”
He caught it easily, laughing as if he hadn’t just made my pulse jump. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave. For now.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You never behave.”
“That’s true,” he said shamelessly, tossing the pillow back on the bed. “But hey, I did take your advice.”
That made me pause. “What advice?”
“The one you gave me two weeks ago.” He flopped back on the mattress like he had no concept of personal space. “About finding my mate.”
My mouth dropped open. “You actually listened to me?”
He smirked, looking up at the ceiling. “Surprised?”
“Yes!” I said honestly. “You never listen to anyone. You do whatever you want.”
“Well,” he said, turning his head toward me, his expression softer now, “maybe I wanted to do what you said.”
For a second, I just stared at him. “Wait. Are you saying you’re actually looking for her now?”
“Maybe,” he said casually. “Started asking around, reaching out to people. I even agreed to go to the next gathering.”
I blinked. “No way. You hate those things.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. But if my mate is out there, maybe it’s time I stopped pretending I don’t care.”
I didn’t know what to say for a moment. This was… not the Hardin I was used to.
Finally, I smiled. “Good. I think you’ll be happier once you find her.”
He gave me a look, his lips twitching. “And why do you sound like a mother hen right now?”
“I do not sound like a mother hen!” I threw the pillow again.
“You totally do.”
“Do not!”
“Do too.”
I ended up laughing so hard my stomach hurt, and to my own surprise, I didn’t even care. For the first time in days, I felt light.
Sebastian’s POV
The bed was cold.
Too cold.
I sat up immediately, my heart sinking as I saw the empty pillow next to mine. No sign of her. No sign she had even been here.
“Rhianna?” I called out, my voice rough from sleep.
No answer.
I got up, moving quickly, checking the bathroom, the kitchen — everywhere. Nothing.
A heavy weight settled in my chest.
Where the hell was she?
I grabbed my car keys, my wolf pacing under my skin, restless and on edge. I needed to see her. To explain.
The drive to Tia’s house was a blur. By the time I got there, my heart was thundering.
I pounded on the door. “Tia! Open up!”
Nothing.
I hit the door again, harder. “Where’s Rhianna?”
Still nothing.
My jaw clenched.
She was avoiding me.
I dragged a hand down my face and cursed under my breath. I should have gone after her yesterday. Should have said something when the council called her weak.
But I had stayed silent.
And she had looked at me like I had just broken her heart.
Because I had.
I clenched my fists and forced myself to breathe. She was angry — of course she was. After what happened yesterday, she had every right to be.
But what if she’d done something reckless?
The thought twisted like a blade in my chest.
I got back into the car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.
I had to find her.
Before I lost her for good.
Rhianna’s POV
Hardin was still grinning at me when I finally caught my breath.
“You’re such a pain,” I said, but my tone was softer now.
“Pain you love,” he said with a wink.
I rolled my eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “Fine. I admit it. You make a decent breakfast.”
He gasped dramatically. “Is that a compliment from the great Rhianna?”
“Don’t push it.”
He laughed and leaned back on his elbows, looking entirely too smug. “You know, if I’d known dragging you out of that bar would lead to this, I’d have done it sooner.”
My cheeks warmed. “You didn’t drag me.”
“Oh yes, I did,” he teased. “You could barely walk. You kept saying the floor was moving.”
I groaned. “Ugh, stop reminding me!”
“Nope,” he said with a grin. “I’m going to remind you forever.”
Before I could throw the pillow at him again, the doorbell rang.
Both of us froze.
Hardin’s easy grin faded, replaced by something sharp and alert.
“You expecting someone?” he asked.
I shook my head, my heart suddenly thudding.
The bell rang again, louder this time.
Hardin pushed himself off the bed, his whole body tense.
“Stay here,” he said quietly, already heading for the door.