Chapter 44
The night didn’t stay quiet for long.
Hardin hadn’t even made it past the gates when a voice called out from behind him. Sharp. Controlled. Angry.
“Hardin.”
He stopped. His shoulders stiffened before he turned around. Sebastian stood a few feet away, his expression dark, his shirt half-buttoned as if he’d left in a hurry.
“What were you doing out here?” Sebastian asked, his voice calm — too calm.
Hardin’s jaw flexed. “Taking a walk.”
“A walk that leads behind my house?” Sebastian stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “Or were you visiting someone?”
Hardin didn’t answer, but the silence said enough.
Sebastian’s gaze flicked toward the side door where Rhianna had been just moments ago. The faint smell of smoke still lingered in the air — not from a fire, but something smaller, sharper. Cigarette smoke.
His voice dropped lower. “She was here, wasn’t she?”
Hardin met his eyes evenly. “You should ask her.”
“I’m asking you.”
Hardin’s tone hardened. “And I said you should ask her.”
For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the wind, and the faint hum of voices from the main courtyard.
Then Sebastian laughed — cold, humorless. “You always did like to act righteous, didn’t you? The noble brother who fixes everything. Tell me something, Hardin… what exactly are you trying to fix now? My marriage?”
Hardin’s fists clenched at his sides. “If you were doing your job as her mate, no one would need to.”
Sebastian’s eyes flashed. “Careful.”
“Why?” Hardin asked. “Because I’m right?”
“You don’t know anything about what happens between us,” Sebastian snapped.
“I know enough,” Hardin shot back. “I know she’s walking around with bruises on her neck. I know she’s scared to even breathe around you. That’s not a bond, Sebastian. That’s fear.”
The words landed like a slap.
For a second, Sebastian just stared — his jaw tightening, his hand twitching as though fighting the urge to strike him. Then he stepped forward until they were inches apart.
“You think you can walk back into this pack after all these years and lecture me?” he said quietly. “You think because they’re praising you again that you can take everything I built?”
“I don’t want what’s yours,” Hardin said evenly.
“Then stay away from her.”
Hardin’s eyes darkened. “I can’t do that.”
That was all it took.
Sebastian’s fist came first — fast, aimed straight for his brother’s jaw. Hardin caught it halfway, twisted, and shoved him back. The second punch connected, this time from Hardin, cracking across Sebastian’s cheek. The sound echoed through the clearing.
Within seconds, they were both swinging — years of resentment spilling out in raw, violent blows.
“You think you’re better than me!” Sebastian roared, landing a hit to Hardin’s ribs.
Hardin shoved him back again, blood streaking his lip. “No, I think you lost yourself!”
“You took everything from me!”
“I didn’t take anything — you gave it away!”
Another punch. Another crash. A low growl tore through the air — not a shift, but close enough to shake the ground.
It took two warriors running from the gate to pull them apart. Both men were breathing hard, blood running down their faces, eyes wild and burning.
“Enough!” one of the guards shouted.
Hardin didn’t take his eyes off his brother. “If you can’t protect your own mate,” he said coldly, “then don’t blame me for doing it for you.”
Sebastian spat blood on the ground, glaring at him. “You step one more foot near her, Hardin, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Hardin turned without another word and walked off toward the barracks, his fists still shaking, his knuckles red.
Sebastian stood there a moment longer, chest heaving, before the guard asked softly, “Alpha, should we call the healer?”
“No,” Sebastian said, wiping his lip. “Just make sure he stays away from my house.”
But even as he said it, his gaze drifted toward the window — where Rhianna’s shadow moved behind the curtains.
Rhianna stood by the window when the front door slammed.
The echo of it made her flinch. She turned—and froze when she saw Sebastian stride in, fury carved into every line of his face.
“Sebastian—”
“Don’t,” he cut in, his voice low, dangerous. “Don’t even start.”
She blinked, confused. “What happened?”
He took a few steps closer, eyes burning. “You. You happened. I told you to stay away from him.”
Her stomach dropped. “Hardin?”
“Yes, Hardin!” His voice rose. “Every time I turn around, someone’s telling me they saw you with him. Talking. Laughing. Sneaking off like—” He stopped himself, jaw clenching. “He’s my brother, Rhianna. I will not have you making a fool out of me.”
Her brows furrowed. “You think that’s what I’m doing?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore,” he hissed. “But whatever is going on between you two—it ends now. I don’t want to see you near him again.”
She shook her head, taking a step back. “You’re overreacting, Sebastian. Hardin is—”
“Don’t defend him!” Sebastian snapped, slamming his fist against the table so hard the frame rattled. “I warned him already, but clearly, he doesn’t listen. So I’m warning you—stay away from him.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to look weak. “He’s family, Sebastian. You can’t expect me to avoid him forever.”
“I can,” he said coldly. “And I do.”
Her voice cracked. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re letting jealousy make you cruel.”
“I’m letting caution make me clear,” he shot back. “You think I don’t see it? The way he looks at you? The way you change when he’s around? You think I’m blind?”
She opened her mouth to argue, but a slow, mocking clap cut through the room.
“Well,” Brittany drawled from the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smug little smile. “This is cozy.”
Rhianna turned sharply. “What are you doing here?”
Brittany’s hand drifted to her stomach, resting there deliberately. “Living here, remember? Your mate made sure of that.”
Sebastian exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Brittany, not now—”
“Oh, but why not?” she purred, stepping closer. “You’re already accusing your poor mate of sneaking around. Maybe you should focus on the woman who actually carries your child.”
Rhianna’s chest tightened, fury bubbling under her ribs. “You should leave.”
Brittany’s smile widened. “Or what? You’ll run to Hardin for comfort again?”
“Enough,” Sebastian barked, turning on her. But Brittany only smirked, brushing a hand over her stomach like a queen showing off her crown.
“I’ll be upstairs,” she said softly, eyes flicking to Rhianna. “Try not to argue too loud. It’s bad for the baby.”
And with that, she walked away—heels clicking, perfume sharp in the air—leaving Rhianna standing there, trembling, while Sebastian stared after her with a mix of frustration and guilt.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Only the sound of Brittany’s retreating steps filled the silence that had suddenly become unbearable.