Chapter 14
SEBASTIAN’S POV
“Catherine, it’s not what you think,” I took cautious steps toward her, trying to clear what negative thought clouded her mind. I didn’t know what she had seen or how long she’d been standing there but I know I wasn’t doing anything bad with Brianna. I was only checking out the bruise on the side of her lips that spoilt, filthy bastard - Nolan had inflicted on her.
“You lying son of a devil!” She cursed, her face swollen with anger. “Not only did you take that slave girl to the cocktail party, but you also tried to kiss right her in front of me.”
“I didn’t try to kiss her,” I defended, even though it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do so. She was so close and smelled so good. But I resisted every urge to kiss her. It was the wrong thing to do, especially with what happened at the party. “She had an accident. An injury on the side of her lips. I was only checking it out.”
“You take me for a fool, Sebastian,” she shook her head as she looked at me, scoffing incredulously. “I know what I saw. Ever since you brought that slave girl into this house, you've changed all of a sudden.”
I tried explaining myself more but she huffed out a fume and turned abruptly, clomping up the stairs.
“Catherine…Catherine,” I chased after her. “I only took her to the party because you said you weren’t coming. It was a couples’ night out. I couldn’t go alone.”
“You dare replace me – the Luna of Cornerstone pack with a mere Omega slave,” she continued seething while clomping up. “What will people think? They’ll say a low-rank wolf is trying to take my place as the Luna. What will they say about our marriage? What will my friends and fellow Lunas say about me? You’ve painted me black, Sebastian. And I’ll never forgive you for that.”
Right from our teenage years, I’ve known Catherine to be always mindful and interested in what people thought and said about her. But I was the complete opposite. I took Brianna to that party, not giving a damn about what the other rulers or her friends thought.
“Catherine… Listen to me,” she was ascending so quickly, I had to skip steps to keep up.
When she tried to take a turn to the hallway, I held onto her shoulder to stop her. But her response shocked me to the marrow. She turned and her hand drew back, ready to deliver a forceful slap to my cheek. However, before her palm could make contact, my reflexes kicked in. With lightning speed, I intercepted her hand, my grip firm on her wrist, stopping her intended strike.
“You tried to slap me?” My brows shot up in surprise, my eye stabbing hers. “Perhaps I was stupid for trying to explain myself,” I forcefully let down her hand. “You can go ahead and think whatever you want. I don’t give a fuck. I don’t care anymore! You aren’t worth explaining to,” I leaned forward to her face, stressing my last words.
After seeing what Nolan tried to do to Brianna at his party, anger and guilt coursed through my body like venom, poisoning my entire being. I had hoped to come back and relax, forgetting it all, then from tomorrow plan how best to make him pay for his actions. But at that moment, Catherine was making everything more difficult for me. Driving me crazy. Driving me to extreme lengths.
Casting one last furious glance at her, I turned to walk down the stairs. I promised Brianna to send a maid over to her chamber to help treat her lip bruise. I needed to do that fast before she fell asleep.
“Sebastian,” she called out. I stopped but didn’t turn to look at her face which was swollen with anger. “For what you did to me tonight, I hate you. With every fibre in my body. With every bone in my body, I hate you and I’ll repay you most painfully.”
Even though I appeared not to look affected, deep down, I was startled and took time to process every word that came out of her mouth. That was my wife saying all that hurtful words to me all because of some silly royals party I’ve made up my mind never to attend ever again no matter what.
Scoffing, I angrily descended the stairs and made my way to the servants' quarters. It was almost midnight, and most of them who came from their homes had already left hours ago. Only a few stayed there. I had built it for the ones who preferred it and couldn’t keep up with the stress of coming and going every day.
I knocked a few times and one of the maids – Amelia opened it. She was just the person I wanted to see.
She had been assisting my family even before I succeeded my father as the Alpha King. Her late parents were one of the most famous healers in the kingdom. She had learnt the act from them and was an expert in treating injuries.
“Your majesty,” she dipped to a respective curtsy on seeing me, “What can I do for you, my Lord?... Please come inside if you don’t mind and take a sit. I wouldn’t like to keep you standing by the door,” she pulled the door wide open and I saw the rest of the servants already on their bed, sleeping as though it was their last.
“No need,” I declined. “I wouldn’t want to disturb their sleep. Thank goodness you weren’t dozing like them. I had come to see you personally.”
She was resisting the urge to chuckle but when she heard my last words, the expression on her large eyes grew solemn. “What can I do for you, my Lord? Hope nothing is wrong?”
I shook my head to avoid instilling fear in her.
“There was an accident,” anger burned inside me as I spoke, remembering what I saw when stormed into that room. “Miss Brianna was bruised on the side of her lips. I need you to take up a first aid kit to her chamber and help treat it.”
“I’ll do as you’ve instructed, my Lord,” she bowed again before gently swinging the door close.
By the time I made it to my chamber, the lights were still on. Catherine curled herself tightly on the side of the bed, facing away from me. I couldn’t tell if she was asleep or still mad. But I didn’t give a fuck. Not after the bitter words she said to me earlier.
I removed my suit and took a quick shower. After which I turned off the lights and retired to the bed. Moments after closing my eyes, I had a bad dream. In that dream, I saw Catherine from behind killing someone. I couldn’t see who it was. The only thing I saw was blood splattering effortlessly.