Chapter 163
Lirael
Four hours later, I stood in my temporary quarters at Silver Moon Estate, staring at my phone as Sebastian's number rang for the forty-fourth time without connecting.
"Come on," I muttered, pacing. "Pick up, damn you."
The call went to voicemail again, and I nearly threw the phone before catching myself.
"Fuck," I breathed, pressing my hands against my eyes. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."
I tried Marcus next. "The number you have dialed is not in service."
"Not in service?" I stared at the phone. "How the hell—"
I dialed Sebastian again, and this time let myself speak when the voicemail picked up.
"Where the hell are you? It's been four hours and you're not answering and neither is Marcus and I swear to god if you've gotten yourself killed I will find a way to bring you back just so I can kill you myself—" I cut myself off, breathing hard. "You control freak. You self-righteous, overprotective, impossibly stubborn control freak who thinks he can just make decisions without considering that maybe some of us care enough to—"
The call disconnected, and I was pulling up his number again when my phone buzzed with an unknown number.
"Sebastian?" I answered before the first ring finished.
"Someone sounds worried," his voice came through, warm and alive. "Who's this control freak you were cursing at? Should I be jealous?"
"You absolute bastard. Do you have any idea how many times I've called you?"
"Forty-four," he said, and I could hear the smile. "I counted. Though I'm curious about that last message—what exactly were you about to say you cared enough to do?"
Heat flooded my face. "None of your business. Where are you? Why weren't you answering?"
"I'm back in Ark City. Had to handle some complications. Marcus is fine—his phone got damaged. As for why I wasn't answering—I was rigging an entire island to explode. I needed complete concentration."
The words registered slowly. "You... exploded the island?"
"Technically, I'm going to in about forty-seven minutes. But yes, the entire compound is wired to go down, along with any evidence."
"You could have sent a text," I said.
"Would you really have been satisfied with that?" he challenged. "Or would you have immediately started planning how to get back to help me?"
The accuracy stung. "That's not the point. Partners don't just disappear without communication—"
"To what?" Sebastian interrupted, his voice dropping. "To let you throw yourself into unnecessary danger? You want to talk about trust? Then trust that when I say I need to handle something alone, it's because I'm trying to protect you."
Silence stretched between us.
"Did Selene say something to you?" Sebastian asked carefully. "Because you sound like someone who's been having their doubts cultivated."
"She's worried. About what happens when your family finds out, when you have to choose between—"
"I've already chosen," Sebastian cut in. "I chose you when I helped evacuate your people. I chose you when I turned against my father. So unless you're telling me you've changed your mind, Selene's concerns are irrelevant."
"It's not that simple. Eventually they'll force you to—"
"Let them try," Sebastian said, something feral in his voice. "I didn't survive three decades of pack politics by letting others dictate my choices. And I sure as hell didn't fall in love with the most stubborn, brilliant, infuriating woman I've ever met just to let my father's prejudices tear us apart."
My breath caught at the casual declaration. "Sebastian—"
"I'm not saying it'll be easy. But I've never been good at doing what's expected. And I've never wanted anything as much as I want you. Whatever obstacles they throw at us, we'll find a way through. Together."
"Together," I repeated softly.
"Together. Which is why I need you to listen. I'm sending you the Obsidian Tower penthouse address. Go there and wait for me. Don't go back to Silver Moon tonight, don't handle logistics. Just rest."
My phone buzzed with a text: I'm not trying to control you. I'm asking you to trust me enough to let me protect you while I handle the fallout. Your people are safe. The island will be destroyed in forty-three minutes. All that's left is dealing with my father and the Council, and I need to know you're somewhere secure. Please, Lirael. Just this once.
The 'please' did it.
Fine, I typed. But we're talking tomorrow. About boundaries and communication and what 'together' actually means.
Tomorrow, he agreed. Tonight, I just need you safe. And Lirael? Don't let Selene convince you that what we have isn't real.
I won't, I typed finally. But if we're doing this together, you don't get to disappear without communication. You don't get to make unilateral decisions about my safety.
Noted. Though I reserve the right to occasionally be an overprotective bastard.
Despite everything, I smiled. And I reserve the right to call you on it every time.
I wouldn't have it any other way. Now go to the house. I'll be there in a few hours, and we can argue properly. Preferably while you're in my bed where I can make sure you're actually resting.
Your bed, I repeated.
Our bed. If you're staying tonight, it's ours. And Lirael? Pack a bag. After tonight, I'm not letting you sleep anywhere except beside me. Not unless you tell me you don't want this anymore.
I want this, I typed, the admission feeling like jumping off a cliff. I want you. Even though it terrifies me.
Then that's all that matters. Everything else, we'll figure out together.
The call disconnected, leaving me staring at my phone with my heart doing gymnastics. I pulled up Selene's contact.
I'm staying at Sebastian's house tonight. The logistics can wait. We'll talk in the morning.
Her response came immediately: Are you sure about this?
I looked at the message for a long moment.
No, I typed honestly. But I'm doing it anyway.
Then I'll be here when you need me. Just... be careful, Lirael. Please.
I will, I promised.
I gathered my belongings and headed toward the Obsidian Tower with my heart in my throat and Selene's warnings echoing in my mind, knowing that whatever happened next, I had made my decision.
Together, Sebastian had said. And despite everything, I found myself clinging to that word like a lifeline.
Together. Whatever that meant. Whatever it cost.