Chapter 0196

Sebastian's gaze locks onto mine. "I did."

My brows knit together. "You hunted a bear and gave it to Evelyn and Gregory?" That makes no sense. Why wouldn't he take it to his own pack?

Adrian lounges in his chair, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. Sebastian shoots him a glare before facing me again. "Dorian killed it for Selene."

I glance at Evelyn, who's watching Sebastian with an unreadable expression. This doesn't add up. Why would he do that when Evelyn is clearly mated to Adrian?

"Sebastian was courting Evelyn before we found each other," Adrian announces, still smirking. The low growl from Sebastian's chest makes my pulse spike.

"Adrian!" Evelyn scolds, swatting his arm.

A hot flare of jealousy licks through me, though I have no right to feel it. Selene is Valeria's daughter—strong, fearless, everything I'm not. Of course Sebastian would want someone like Evelyn. It's just another reminder of why I'll never measure up.

Sebastian captures my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. "That was before I met you. I told you how overwhelmed I felt—no mate, no Luna to share the burden of leadership. But Evelyn belongs with Adrian, and I'm glad they're happy."

'He's telling the truth,' Valeria murmurs in my mind.

It doesn't soothe the ache in my chest. I never asked to be a Luna, never wanted an Alpha's mate. Yet the thought of Sebastian with someone else feels like a knife twisting between my ribs. 'Hurts me too,' Valeria admits softly.

I nod stiffly and push food around my plate, appetite gone.

When dinner ends, I gather dishes and retreat to the kitchen. Sebastian intercepts me on my way back, pulling me into the shadowed foyer. His palms cradle my face. "Listen to me. There's nothing between Evelyn and me but friendship—maybe sibling rivalry at most. What I feel for you... there's no comparison."

I shrug, staring at his collar instead of meeting his eyes.

He growls, tilting my chin up with rough fingers. "Do I need to remind you what you do to me, little angel?"

"It's fine, I underst—"

His hands grip my thighs, hauling me up against the wall. My legs lock around his waist as his mouth crashes into mine—hot, demanding, leaving no room for doubt. One hand fists in my hair, angling my head just how he wants it. The other arm braces beneath me, muscles straining as he devours me like a man starved.

When I don't immediately yield, he nips my lower lip, the sharp sting making me gasp. He takes full advantage, tongue sweeping in to claim what's his. My fingers tangle in his hair as heat pools low in my belly, every nerve ending alight.

By the time he pulls back, we're both breathless. "Never doubt me," he rasps, letting me slide down his body until my feet touch the floor. He presses my hand against the hard evidence straining against his jeans. "This is how much I want you. Only you."

I swallow hard. The proof is... substantial.

"Come on," he mutters, stealing one last kiss before nudging me toward the dining room. "Before they send a search party."

The way he positions me in front of him—it's not just chivalry. It's to hide exactly what I do to him.

And that knowledge sends a thrill straight through me.