Chapter 147 Departure

Chapter 147 Departure
Sienna
“I know everything has settled down at Regalia,” Liam said, adjusting his fork on the table. “But like I told my brother, Bendis is my home now.”
“Oh.”
The disappointment slipped out of my mouth before I could catch it. I hated how obvious it sounded, but I couldn't help it. Part of me had really hoped for that perfect, clean ending—where Sebastian got his brother back, and Liam came home to Regalia so they could finally rebuild what was broken nineteen years ago. But life wasn't a fairy tale, and Liam had built an entire life here while the rest of the world moved on.
“Don’t worry, Sienna,” Liam chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. “I’ll make sure to visit. Monthly, if you really want.” He raised his hand toward a nearby waiter to get our order started. “Since you two are abandoning me, I get to pick all my favorites tonight, right?”
I glanced at Sebastian, trying to gauge how he was taking it. He just sat there, looking completely at peace with his brother’s decision, his dark eyes calm and steady. Seeing him content with how things were turning out made the tightness in my chest loosen up.
“Fine,” I said, offering Liam a faint smile. “Then we’ll see you on your first visit.”
“That is usually how visiting works, yeah,” Liam smirked. “You see me.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll let the sarcasm slide just because you’re buying us dinner.”
“Wait, I’m buying?” Liam’s eyes darted past me, fixing straight on Sebastian, who was silently taking a sip of his water.
Before Liam could start pleading his case to his brother, I reached out, grabbed his jaw, and physically turned his head right back toward me.
“You are buying,” I repeated.
Liam let out a rough, defeated laugh, shaking his head as he turned to give the waiter our orders.
While he was occupied pointing out dishes on the menu, I felt a warm, sudden press of lips against my bare shoulder. A shiver ran up my spine, and I flinched slightly in surprise, trying to pull back—but Sebastian’s arm immediately slid around my waist, tugging my chair closer until there was zero space left between us.
“Sienna,” he murmured close to my ear. “I have been remarkably patient, have I not?”
A soft chuckle escaped me. The man sounded like a massive, overbearing wolf asking for a reward, and it was ridiculously cute.
“May I sleep in your bed tonight?” his hand tightened slightly on my waist, pulling me firm against his side. “To embrace you.”
I turned my head to look at him, deliberately slowing down my breath as I let my eyes trace his face. I brought my index finger up, dragging it slowly along my lower lip while keeping my gaze locked onto his.
“Hmm...” I hummed softly. “I’ll think about it. Are you sure you only want a hug?”
Sebastian’s jaw locked tight, a faint muscle twitching in his cheek. He was clearly trying to be the perfect gentleman, but my teasing was pushing every button he had left. Watching the controlled Alpha strain against his own self-restraint made me want to drag him out of this restaurant right now. No, Sienna. Behave.
“I was actually thinking of something a bit more—”
“Am I going to have to watch a live show?” Liam’s dry voice cut right through the heat. “Because I’d really rather not. Take the flirting somewhere else later.”
I snapped my head toward Liam, narrowing my eyes. He was leaning back in his chair, staring at us with the most bored, unbothered expression imaginable.
I rolled my eyes, pulling back from Sebastian just enough to let the air cool down between us. “Right. Well, we’re actually heading back to Clairelle tonight.”
Liam paused, looking genuinely taken aback. “Tonight? No way.” He almost pouted.
“It’s my parents,” I explained, letting out a sigh. “They’re demanding to see me, and I’d really rather not have them hunt me down all the way in Bendis.”
“Oh.” A look of instant understanding flashed across Liam’s face, probably remembering just how much of a nightmare my parents could be when they wanted something. “In that case, I’ll just come to Regalia next week. It’s about time I pay a proper visit to my brother’s kingdom anyway.” He shot Sebastian a teasing grin, trying to get a rise out of him.
Sebastian didn't flinch. He just looked across the table at his younger brother, his expression remarkably warm.
“I shall be waiting,” Sebastian said quietly.
Once dinner was wrapped up, we headed straight back to the apartment to grab our bags. I decided to keep the lease on my place in Bendis anyway—it was nice knowing we had a quiet escape whenever the chaos of pack politics became too much to handle.
When the cab dropped us off at the private airfield, Liam stared up at the aircraft waiting on the tarmac.
“Wow,” Liam muttered, shaking his head. “You actually have a private jet.”
“You do realize that if Sebastian owns it, it’s technically yours by right too, don't you?” I reminded him with a smile.
A smug, satisfied smirk spread across Liam’s face. “Huh. I could get used to that.”
I rolled my eyes, stepping up to pull him into a brief, warm hug before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Don't make us wait too long.”
“I won't.”
I shot a look back at Sebastian, letting the two brothers have their space to say whatever final words they needed to say in private. I climbed up the ramp and stepped into the cabin, taking a seat by the window.
A few minutes later, the door sealed, and Sebastian walked down the aisle, settling into the leather seat right next to mine.
I turned my head to look at him, leaning my cheek against my hand. “So... are you ready to meet my parents?”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened instantly, his body bracing as if preparing for a battle. Even though he and my brother Dante had been friends, he had never actually stood face-to-face with my mother and father. He had no idea just how manipulative and ruthless they could get when family honor was on the line.
“It is necessary that I am ready,” he replied, his tone serious and formal.
“Why does that sound like you’re being dragged to an execution?” I asked, half-joking.
He reached across the small space between our seats, his large, warm hand wrapping around mine and lacing our fingers together tightly.
“I simply mean that I do not wish to ruin things,” he said softly, his jaw clenching as his eyes met mine. “Not again.”
I could see the quiet weight behind his words—the memory of every mistake, every piece of miscommunication, and every barrier that had kept us apart. He was terrified of losing the ground we had finally gained.
I squeezed his hand back, letting a genuine smile touch my lips.
“You won't,” I told him, leaning over to rest my forehead gently against his shoulder. “We won't.”