Chapter 211
[ 1,166 words ]
Sebastian’s POV
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Emilia in that sexy dress, standing there with some slick-haired playboy who looked like he’d walked straight out of a cologne commercial.
His hand was hovering near her waist, and every instinct in me screamed to rip it off.
“Easy,” Ryder growled in my mind. “Don’t lose control here.”
Too late for that. The moment I saw him offer his arm and watched her actually consider taking it, something snapped.
“I’m a VIP host here,” the bastard was saying. “I know all the best spots. The dance floor’s amazing tonight.”
“That sounds fun,” Emilia said, her voice light and teasing in a way that made my blood boil.
She was doing this on purpose. She had to be. This was payback for Lucie and Nana, for ignoring her calls, for everything. And damn it, it was working.
I watched her take his arm and let him lead her toward the dance floor, his hand dropping to her back. Half the lounge was watching.
My wife. My Luna. Being touched by some random wolf who didn’t even know whose mate he was putting his hands on.
I couldn’t even stand seeing her talk to Scott. What the hell made her think this was acceptable?
I didn’t bother with words. I grabbed the guy’s shoulder, spun him around, and my fist connected with his jaw before he could even process what was happening.
“What the hell?” He stumbled back, hand going to his face.
The music didn’t stop, but the people around us did, backing away fast. Emilia’s eyes went wide.
“Sebastian—”
“Shut up,” I snapped, then turned back to the playboy, who was straightening up and looking ready to fight back.
“You want to go, man?” He squared his shoulders. “You’re crazy.”
He recovered fast, I’d give him that. He came at me swinging, but he was sloppy, all flash and no substance. I blocked his punch easily and landed another hit to his ribs. He grunted and tried to grab me, but I was faster, angrier, and far more motivated.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Emilia grabbed my arm, trying to pull me back, but I shook her off.
“He touched you,” I said through gritted teeth.
“He was touching what’s mine.”
The host tried one more swing, which I dodged, then countered with a hit that sent him sprawling onto the floor. He stayed down this time, groaning and holding his ribs. Security was already pushing through the crowd, and I knew we had about thirty seconds before this turned into a real problem.
I grabbed Emilia’s wrist and pulled her toward the exit. She stumbled, and I had half a mind to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out.
“Let go of me!” she hissed.
I didn’t let go until we were outside.
“Are you insane?” Emilia yanked her hand free, her eyes blazing. “You just attacked someone for talking to me!”
“He wasn’t just talking,” I shot back. “His hands were all over you.”
“We were dancing!”
“In that dress?” I gestured at her, my anger flaring again. “You know exactly what you were doing, Emilia.”
She crossed her arms, and I tried very hard not to notice how the movement made that neckline dip even lower. “Oh, so this is my fault? You’re the one who’s been ignoring me all day, playing games with those two airheads in there.”
“I wasn’t playing games.”
“Really? Because sending them to buy champagne like you’re hosting some kind of game show seemed pretty intentional to me.”
“You wrote me an apology letter and then threw it in my face,” I said coldly. “What did you expect me to do? Come crawling back?”
“I expected you to read it!” Her voice cracked slightly. “I expected you to at least give me a chance to explain instead of running off to the nearest lounge and surrounding yourself with women who’d giggle at anything you say.”
“You’re one to talk,” I said. “You came here dressed like that, throwing yourself at the first guy who smiled at you.”
“I wasn’t throwing myself at anyone!” She stepped closer, jabbing a finger at my chest. “I came here because some woman answered your phone and told me you were too busy to talk to your own wife. So forgive me if I decided to remind you that I have options too.”
“Options? Is that what this is about? You’re trying to make me jealous?”
“Is it working?” She tilted her head. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like it worked pretty damn well.”
I stared at her. She was right. She knew exactly which buttons to push, and I’d fallen for it completely.
“You want me to forgive you?” I said finally, my voice low.
She blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. You want me to forgive you for tonight? For Scott, for that letter, for all of it?”
“I…” She hesitated, and I could see the pride warring with something else in her eyes. “Yes.”
“Then say it,” I said. “Right here, right now. Tell everyone walking past us exactly how you feel about me.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re not serious.”
“Dead serious.” I crossed my arms, enjoying the way her confidence faltered. “You want my forgiveness? Earn it.”
“Sebastian.”
“Say, ’I love Sebastian Simons,’” I interrupted. “Loud enough for everyone to hear.”
She looked around at the wolves passing by on the street, some of them already glancing our way curiously. Her cheeks flushed, and for a moment I thought she might actually refuse.
“You’re such an ass,” she muttered.
“That’s not what I asked you to say.”
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then shouted, “I love Sebastian Simons!”
The street went quiet. Wolves stopped mid-step, turning to stare at us. A few looked amused, others confused, and one elderly couple looked absolutely scandalized.
I couldn’t help it. I smiled. “Louder.”
“I love Sebastian Simons!” she yelled again, her face bright red now. “Is that loud enough for you, or should I rent a billboard?”
“That’ll do,” I said, still smiling.
She glared at me, breathing hard, looking like she wanted to hit me almost as much as I’d wanted to hit that host earlier. “Are you satisfied now?”
“Getting there,” I said.
“You’re unbelievable.” She turned to walk away, but I caught her wrist again.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home,” she snapped. “Unless you have more public humiliation planned for tonight.”
“You call that humiliation? I call it a declaration of love. You should be honored I gave you the opportunity.”
She whirled around, eyes flashing. “Oh, I’m so honored. Truly. Maybe next time you can make me skywrite it.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I pulled her closer, until there was barely any space between us. “And for the record? My love for you is already known to the world. I don’t need to shout it in the street.”
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