Chapter 21 - Sebastian
With everything unraveling with the Jack situation and finding out that Lydia was with child, it was getting harder and harder to leave Lydia for the day. Every morning, I felt a wave of dread, wishing I didn’t need to be apart from her.
As much as I preferred the idea of staying with Lydia and guarding her myself, I couldn’t ignore work and everything else forever. At the very least, I had the pack maintaining their vigilant watch over her, and ever since the confrontation with Jack’s shifters, Zoe stepped up her defense as well.
Even if I knew she was being protected as intensely as possible, it still wasn’t the same as me personally seeing to it. But I had to settle on checking in with both her and my sister throughout the day, questioning how she was feeling and if everything was alright.
It was even more difficult to keep her out of my head while at the office.
With no effort at all, my mind would drift to images of her—flashes of her skin beneath me, the wanton glow in her cheeks, and the way her body responded to my touch.
Thinking of her in that way while in the company of my friends and business partners wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t help it. Knowing our child was growing inside her did something to me, and those instincts within me heightened with every passing day.
More importantly, I found myself daydreaming about our future. How a baby promised many years of loving and protecting a product of our bond. The thought alone was enough to overwhelm me, even while the subject matter of our meeting was monotonous and dragging.
After finishing up another talking point, I felt Levi’s examining gaze on me. His eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s got you all smiley over there? I know it can’t be about this marketing campaign.”
Realizing I hadn’t done a proper job of concealing my expression, I snapped myself out of it and cleared my throat. I glanced around at the group of them. “I actually have some good news you might like to hear.”
Beau leaned forward with interest in his gaze. “Do tell.”
There was no point in trying to hide my grin then. “You are looking at a soon-to-be father.”
A mutual surprise filled the room, and Levi’s expression brightened. “No shit—you’re serious?”
I nodded with a bashful chuckle. “We confirmed it just the other day. She’s a few weeks now, and we caught it fairly early.”
At once, I received a round of congratulations, all sharing in on the excitement of the announcement. Despite his otherwise reserved and guarded demeanor, even Ezra managed to crack a smile.
“Welcome to the club,” Levi said, smiling genuinely as he shook my hand and gave it a supportive clap. “That’s great news.”
“My only gripe is that we’ll have another one of you skipping out on our bar excursions,” Ezra said, more light-hearted than anything. He nodded in Levi’s direction. “It’s hard enough as it is getting this one out.”
“That’s the natural way of things, my friend,” Levi chided in return with his proud smile. “I’m sure we’ll still get our time in whenever we can.”
I nodded. “I might be down and out for a time, but I’ll always find my way back to that run-down place eventually.”
“It isn’t much for a toast, but here’s to a new little one,” Beau proposed as he lifted his coffee cup in the air.
We all chuckled as we did the same, toasting from afar given the distance between us at the conference table. “To a new little one.”
A new, unfamiliar sensation filled my chest at that moment—a positive one that reminded me there was always a chance for good things to happen. It was the realization that despite feeling down on my luck about not having a mate before, my life made such a hard pivot when I least expected it.
After complaining about being alone and lacking that connection, my path crossed with Lydia’s out of nowhere. Because of that, we established our bond, and in turn, our child was busy growing inside her.
Every step of the way, while unexpected, led me to a place where I could share good news with others.
“Speaking of Lydia,” Levi eventually brought up, expression giving way to a more serious one. “How’s everything going with her old alpha? We heard about the attempted ambush.”
As much as I wanted to focus only on the good, I couldn’t ignore the rest. I sighed.
“Jack sent some betas out to try and get her back, but luckily, I came in at the right time before they could do anything. Especially now that we know she’s pregnant, the pack is keeping a close eye on her. If I’m not with her, then someone else is,” I explained, feeling slightly angry at the reminder. “Jack has made it very clear that he won’t stop until she’s back in his possession, but I don’t plan on letting that happen any time soon.”
Everyone shared their grave yet understanding expressions. They all knew how serious I was about it, and I could feel their support even without needing to hear it.
“If you need the backup, we’ve got you,” Levi said, making sure I could see it in his gaze. “There’s no ask that’s too big for us. Just give us the word.”
While I was more used to offering my help to the others, it was reassuring to know that the favor would be willingly returned at any point.
I nodded gratefully. “I appreciate that. His wolves have been lurking around lately, and I have the feeling it won’t be long until Jack tries to strike.”
“If he has waited this long, I can only assume he’s got some sort of plan lined up,” Beau added, meeting my gaze. “He’s probably waiting for the right moment.”
“That’s what I’m anticipating, anyway.”
While I didn’t have any qualms about calling in that favor, it only meant that the situation was becoming more serious, and soon enough, I’d have no choice but to act.
If I wasn’t careful, I had more to lose than ever before.
***
On the drive back home, my arm rested against the open window as I took in the sights and scents, letting them surround me.
I followed the main road back towards the pack grounds and studied the air as I tended to more recently with the thoughts of Jack and his intentions heavy on my mind.
Even if I couldn’t see them due to the trees and distance between us, I could sense them. Those wolves hiding out, just out of range but close enough for me to be aware of their presence.
It was ominous, and it added another layer of pressure. That tension seemed to grow with every passing day, leaving me to wonder how much more I could take or how much more Lydia could shoulder.
I wanted it behind us, but I was well aware of the kind of damage that could come from pulling my pack into full conflict.
Since day one, I have vowed to protect them and offer them the safety and security they deserve in exchange for their trust and support. Yet, while not unheard of, having them fight alongside me was a lofty risk.
Still, my mate and our connection were the very things hanging in the balance—all determined by the decision I would inevitably have to make.
The recent disturbances and the presence of the other pack were constant reminders of everyone I was determined to keep safe and of the lives I was prepared to lay my own down for if it ever came to it.
The irritation I felt while shouldering that responsibility eased away the moment I found Lydia out on the back deck, leaning against the railing as she observed the forest around her. As I passed through the patio door, I caught Zoe standing by the glass table, and she pulled a reassuring smile for me.
I murmured my appreciation for her help as she saw herself out, seeming more than happy to do her part.
As my sister left us alone, I cut the space between us and settled next to her. Glancing over, I caught the pensive look in her eyes, even as she grinned at me.
“Do you remember that day you had to rescue me from that pond near your family’s old place?” she asked, her tone light and reverent.
Easily recalling it, I chuckled and nodded. “I do. I remember Zoe running back to the house frantically shouting for Mom, but I was the only one there. What started that anyway?”
Lydia cracked a fond smile. “Zoe and I were messing around and trying to hunt frogs, thinking we’d be better hunters for it, when I slipped on a wet rock, fell, and got my hair caught in a bur bush.”
“That’s right,” I murmured with a laugh. “I had to go down and help cut you out of it.”
“I was mortified when you showed up. I was soaked, stuck sitting at the edge of the water while you helped, and it was all for such a silly reason. Plus, my haircut was atrocious for weeks until it grew back in again.”
We smiled as we recalled the memory together, and the day's stressors ebbed away easily.
“I guess I could’ve been a little more careful about what strands I cut.”
Lydia snickered as she leaned closer, warming me with her presence and infectious reminiscence. “I couldn’t be too mad at you, though; at least you helped. It’s strange but nice to know how far we’ve come since then. I never would’ve guessed I’d be here.”
Softening at the thought, I reached over and wrapped an arm around her to anchor her against my side. I took pride in how she relaxed into the contact. “A lot has changed, but we have a good foundation now. Regardless of what happens, I know we’ll always be together.”
With a pleasant smile, Lydia placed her head against my chest and let go of a content breath as we both took in the calm forest around us, making me feel undeniably at home with her. “I’m glad it has always been you.”
My heart squeezed with her tender words, taking in just how right it felt.
Even if the situation overall was uncertain, our bond and mutual loyalty to one another were constants we could depend on. I knew that no matter what or who tried to come between us, it would be fruitless.
As mates, we were cut from the same cloth, and not even her parents or Jack could snuff out that tangible connection.