Chapter 36 quiet lies
The hallways of the packhouse were dim, the torches along the walls flickering weakly against the late-night chill.
Rhianna walked slowly, every step echoing in her ears. Her lips still tingled — her heart hadn’t quite calmed down.
What had she just done? Or rather… what had he just done?
She pressed a hand to her chest as she reached her room. The air felt too heavy to breathe, her thoughts a jumble of guilt, confusion, and something she didn’t dare name.
When she opened the door, the room wasn’t empty.
Sebastian was awake.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless, the faint golden light from the fireplace washing over his face. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes immediately found hers.
“Where did you go?” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it — not anger, not yet, but suspicion.
Rhianna blinked, startled. “I… I heard noises outside,” she said quickly. “I thought maybe something was wrong, so I went to check it out.”
His gaze sharpened slightly. “And?”
She swallowed. “Turns out it was nothing serious. Evelyn left. She and her people — they’re gone.”
Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “At this hour?”
“She left because Hardin turned her down,” Rhianna explained softly, keeping her tone even. “That’s what the noise was. Her men were packing up.”
He leaned back a little, eyes narrowing. “Were you with Hardin?”
Her heart skipped. The memory of that kiss flashed behind her eyes — the way his breath had caught, the quiet confession that still echoed in her chest.
She forced herself to shake her head.
“No,” she lied gently. “I was with Tia. We talked for a bit after we heard the noise. She said she couldn’t sleep either.”
Sebastian studied her for a long moment, his jaw tightening, as though weighing whether to believe her. Then he exhaled and nodded once.
“Come to bed,” he said finally, his tone softer now. “It’s late. Whatever drama Evelyn caused, it’s not our concern. She’ll be fine — she’s used to getting her way. A few bruises to her pride won’t kill her.”
Rhianna hesitated by the doorway. “You really think so?”
He gave a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “People like her don’t break easily. Let Hardin deal with the fallout of his own choices. It’s not our bother.”
She nodded quietly and crossed the room.
Sebastian shifted back on the bed, lifting the covers slightly. “Come here,” he murmured. “You’ve had a long night.”
She slid in beside him, her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist, warm and steady, and for a moment it almost felt normal.
Almost.
But as the fire burned low and his breathing evened out behind her, Rhianna stared at the wall, wide awake.
Because no matter how still she lay, she could still feel the ghost of Hardin’s lips on hers — and the ache of a truth she wasn’t ready to face.
By morning, the house was alive again — the sound of movement, footsteps, chatter from the kitchen. The scent of brewed tea and roasted bread drifted through the air.
Rhianna sat by the mirror, brushing her hair slowly when a knock came at the door.
“Come in,” she said, her voice hoarse from the lack of sleep.
Tia stepped in, cheerful as always, her red curls tied up messily. “You’re up early,” she said with a grin.
Before Rhianna could answer, Sebastian appeared from the adjoining room, adjusting the cuffs of his black shirt. His tone was calm but firm. “Tia,” he said, “Rhianna told me you two were together last night.”
Tia blinked, then glanced at Rhianna. There was a split second of hesitation — just enough for Rhianna’s stomach to tighten — before Tia smiled and nodded.
“Yeah,” she said smoothly. “We were talking about the hunt and Evelyn’s little outburst. She couldn’t sleep, so we just… hung out for a while. Nothing serious.”
Sebastian’s eyes flickered between them. He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he didn’t press it.
“Good,” he said at last, buttoning his cuffs. “Because things are about to get busier.”
He turned to Rhianna, his expression softening slightly. “I have somewhere to be today. A few pack matters to settle — mostly about Hardin.”
Rhianna’s brush stilled mid-stroke. “About Hardin?”
He nodded. “The elders are talking about reassignment. Some of them want to name him Alpha again.” His voice darkened at that, quiet but edged with frustration. “As if the past doesn’t matter.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he leaned down, brushing a faint kiss against her forehead.
“Don’t worry about it,” he murmured. “Let them talk. We’ll deal with it later.”
And with that, he turned and left — the door clicking softly behind him.
The room fell into silence again, except for the faint ticking of the old clock by the wall.
Tia watched Rhianna through the mirror. “You didn’t tell him the whole truth, did you?” she asked quietly.
Rhianna’s fingers tightened around the brush. “No,” she whispered. “And I don’t think I can.”
Because how could she?
How could she tell Sebastian that the man the pack wanted as Alpha — his own brother — had kissed her under the moonlight, and that her heart hadn’t resisted?
"now tell me everything. Don't leave out a single detail" Tia said