Chapter Four

Leila's pov

“Leila,” Sebastian repeated, as though savouring the sound of my name. “You’re coming with me.”

I didn't know what he meant but at that moment, it ignited in my chest.

Maybe, my story wasn't over yet

I thought the storm of chaos plaguing my quiet life had finally settled. I never knew I was caught in the middle now.

Alpha Sebastian took my hand in his, his piercing green eyes holding mine. For a moment, I felt invisible. Different even.

“You'll be safe with me.” He said.

“I don't understand.”

“I have decided that you will be my chosen mate.” He said and the crowd went wild.

“What?” Klaus gasped the same way I did.

Sebastian held our linked hands in midair. “I have chosen Leila to be my mate.”

“That's not happening!” A voice boomed in the hall. It was Devon.

His voice was filled with rage as he pointed at Sebastian. “You think you can just waltz in here and take what's mine?”

Valerie scoffed. “I'm sorry. What's yours?”

Alpha Sebastian didn't even flinch. He sized Devon up and down in a narrowed gaze, unimpressed. “Leila’s yours? Too bad I don't see your name on her.”

Devon's face turned red. “Tell him you belong to me, Leila. Go on, tell him.”

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.

How could I say I was his when he humiliated me in front of the entire pack and rejected me? No way.

I turned to Devon. “I'm not yours, Devon. I never was.”

That only made him angrier. “What the heck are you saying?!”

“Don't you dare raise your voice at my woman!” Sebastian yelled back.

I slipped my hand away from his and took a step back. “Um… I'm not yours either, Sebastian. I barely know you.”

Devon stuck out his tongue at Sebastian as though he had won.

“Leila…” Sebastian reached out for my hand but I shriveled away from the contact.

"I… I have to think about this.” I said.

All my life, I’ve always wanted to be with my fate mate. But in reality he turned out to be an asshole. Now, my desire for love has brought Sebastian my way but I'm having second thoughts.

What is wrong with me?

That day passed by memories of what happened didn't.

Ever since that day, I was caught up in a whirlwind of emotions.

I found myself torn between the possessive pull of Devon and the attractive attention I received from Sebastian. Their desires clash, leading to a fierce competition for my affection. A far cry from anything I had ever hoped for.

One afternoon, after spending time with Sebastian in the garden, Devon met me in the hallway and quickly hid both his hands behind him.

I ignored him, attempting to walk past him when he caught my elbow and pulled me into a room.

Before I could protest, he slammed the door behind him.

“What the hell? Devon!” I yelled.

He put a bouquet of red roses in front of me. “Here.”

“Excuse me?” I frowned at the flowers.

“I'm giving you flowers. Come on. At least accept them.” He said ,still putting the flowers in my face.

I slapped them away. “I got flowers from Sebastian earlier and besides, your attempt to win me over is failing.”

His eyes darkened. “Oh really?”

No. Something was wrong somewhere.

“You're not going anywhere.” He tossed the flower to the floor and stood by the door with his arms crossed.

“Devon, you can't keep me here like some prisoner!” I yelled.

He raised an eyebrow. “Watch me, darling.”

I scoffed, glaring at him. “You're acting like a child.”

“And you're acting like you have a choice.” He shot back.

I grabbed a pillow from his bed and hurled it at him. “Asshole!”

“Oh now, she curses. Did Sebastian teach you that?” he laughed.

When I heard him laugh, I wished the pillow would damage his brain but unfortunately, they didn't do any good. Devon refused to let me go. He didn't want me not the way a was supposed to but he didn't want any other man near me.

To me, he wasn't being possessive, he was being possessed.

The worst part of this “possessiveness” was one evening when Sebastian smiled at me. Devon cornered me in the hallway.

“What did he say to you?” Devon demanded.

“Nothing.” I said. Obviously a lie.

He didn't believe me either. “You think I'm dumb huh? You think I didn't see the way you looked at Sebastian? I'm not blind, Leila!”

“Devon, stop! You're hurting my arm.” I yelled as his grip bruised my arm.

“If you don't want that then stay the hell away from Sebastian!” He growled.

He let go of me and I stumbled back with tears filling my eyes. I couldn't live like this anymore. I was trapped.

The following days, I avoided both Sebastian and Devon. My sanity was far more important.

Apparently, Devon had taken a swing at Sebastian because he said he loved my smile. Their fisticuffs turned into a full blown fight. The guards had to separate them both. I disappeared before Valerie and anyone else would find me and skin me alive.

I hid in a corner of the wide kitchen, sobbing my heart out when I heard footsteps.

I prayed it wouldn't be Valerie and her goons.

“You look like you've been through hell.” The voice said.

I looked up and smiled. “Is it too late to say that I'm in it already?”

Klaus sighed and sat down on the floor beside me. “Leila, you can't keep living like this. You deserve better.”

“Better doesn't exist for people like me.” I wiped my tear-stained cheek on the sleeve of my shirt.

“Come on, kiddo. Don't say that,” Klaus put his arm around my shoulder. “Better is out there.”

“Where?”

“Sebastian.” He replied with a smile. “I don't know about you but Sebastian is the only one that sees you for who you're worth. You need to go with him. This place won't be safe for you anymore.”

“Really? You think so?” I asked, fresh tears welling in my eyes.

“Yes.”

“But what about Devon? He'll never let me be.”

“You don't have to worry about that. I'll help you.”

“Are you sure about this?”

Klaus grinned from ear to ear. “Yes. Leila, I'm the Alpha's beta and the father of a jealous maniac so yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm capable of anything.”

I laughed but it was brief. “Thank you, Klaus. For everything.”

“No problem, kid. Just promise me one thing.”

“What's that?”

“Don't let anyone. Not even Sebastian walked over you.”

he said, cupping my shoulder.

“I won't.” I said with a firm nod.

“C’mere.” He pulled me into a hug. “You'll be fine, kid.”

I had never felt so safe.