[42] Friends Only

The room was one Massie had never seen before. A variety of books lined the four walls from corner to corner, it was impossible to count the number hardcovers she saw. Even from a distance she could tell they were old and exquisite. A curious finger trailed down one of the bindings nearest to her. It was just as she thought. Their old age did not destroy their quality, as the books were amazingly sturdy.

Two small comfortable couches curved around a blazing fire place, the perfect cozy spot to cuddle and read a book. She would have labeled it as a library except it contained a handful of features that deemed it a type of office. A large mahogany desk stood at the far opposite side. Positioned on top was a large, silver computer screen with a matching wireless keyboard and mouse. A set of intimidating files perched at the very edge, almost as if the person who sat there dreaded the idea of doing them, but knew to keep it close.

"This is my father's study." Sebastian said, answering the question in her eyes. "One day when I become alpha it will be mine. This place will offer us the privacy we need."

Massie followed him as he guided them closer to the fireplace. "What did you want to talk about?"

As they halted in front of the couches, she noticed he was frowning. "When you mention you let that blood-sucker bite you, there was no mention of him pursuing you. Are you allowing his advances?"

Massie pursed her lips. She recognized he was upset about her relationship with Theo. "He is only my friend. I'm not seeking anything deeper with him."

Her response did not seem to quell his stiffness of his shoulders. "Let me pursue you." He said, his features taut with determination. He looked like a man with a mission, one he was unwilling to back off from no matter what dangers faced him ahead.

Massie's eyes widened. "What? No! Why on earth would you do that?!" He was the one who pushed her away. He should let her to heal her wounds and get over him in peace. The other side of her heart, the hopeful one, heard this with tearful expectations.

Sebastian looked down and whispered a response, but it was too low for her ears to catch.

"Why?" She repeated, this time more softly.

"Because I miss you." His voice was thick with emotion.

She couldn't believe this. Why was he doing this to her? Her heart... it could only take so much. "You miss what?" She asked, somewhat doubtful.

His deep eyes poured into her, heavy with fondness. They held a reminiscent edge, almost as though he were replaying memories from his heart. "Everything."

He gently took hold of her arms and laced them around his shoulders, bringing them close together. "I miss your hugs." His fingers then combed through her hair, softly, as though they were made of the finest threads. The gesture made her release a gentle sigh. "I miss how you played with my hair." He kissed her forehead, then her temple...her cheek, the corner of her lips. "I miss your kisses." He squeezed her tightly. "I miss the way you used to hold on me, like you depended on me. Like you trusted me."

Massie looked down. "Sebastian, listen..."

He caressed her cheek, frowning deeply. "You never used to call me that..." his voice trailed off to a saddened end.

He was right. Before, he was her Sebby. Nowadays she purposely addressed him through his full name.

As she didn't know what to say, Sebastian continued, connecting his forehead with hers. "I miss your declarations of us getting married. That I would be your wereman. Your ownership of me is something I did not properly treasure. Please Massie, let me pursue you."

Her heart was being put through the shredder. He was holding her as though she were his biggest treasure, and she didn't know which way to go.

I should give him a chance. Only to wound up hurt in the end? What he tells me is genuine. Does that make what he said and did before any less real? People make mistakes, we're all human. You don't want to make the same mistake twice.

Her words remained caught in her throat. She wanted—desperately wanted—to give him a chance, allow him to prove himself. But yet...

"Sebastian... I don't know." Massie released the rigid reins of her composure and exposed herself for what she really was—completely heartbroken. The pain was evident, from her downcast, teary eyes to the deepset quivering frown. If he didn't stop now she was sure to cry. Her arms fell from his shoulders, drooping at her sides like dead limbs. It's what her hope with him felt like. Dead.

"I did this." He whispered to himself. His eyes filled with regret. He brought her hands together and cupped them into his own. "I need you to know that by the time we were in the plane to Everglades I already had plans of courting you. I wanted you, but I restrained because I convinced myself you weren't ready for the sacrifice required to mate. I underestimated you, and in doing that I set up this disaster."

He took a deep breath. "When you said you would ask Stevens to show you the power of alpha I got so mad." His fingers laced through hers and squeezed, transmitting the depth of not just his anger, but great pain. "When you told me the truth of not understanding I should have just dropped it, but it only reinforced my previous belief that you weren't mature enough to make the decision to mate. I wanted you so bad... I wanted to have all of you to myself in every way. You know this because I lost control in a way I never had with a woman before."

"I added reasons for why I shouldn't mate you. My bite might be too painful. Pregnancy could be high risk in the future. I even feared you would grow to hate me for it...I was in error by leaving your choice out of it."

He raised her chin to have them face to face in full transparency. "The days I ignored you were selfish. I convinced myself it was right to push you away, anything to keep you safe. But I still kept tabs on you like a jealous lover. If I really wanted you to have freedom from me, why did I not release you from the power of alpha? Why was I holding on to this ability to keep you under me? The truth is I still wanted you to myself. I still do.

"When you left—" his voice became heavy, as though an oppressive boulder were smashing his chest. "There was no way for me to reach you. To hear your voice or see you. I had no idea where you were. I have never felt so agonized. I missed you so much." His eyes were liquid gold, they poured into her all the longing, regret, guilt, and tenderness he held towards her, washing over her like a dream.

Sebastian brushed her nose with his. He asked for an inch. "Please forgive me. If there's one thing I can get from this, it's for you to forgive me."

Stunned tears fell from her eyes. She hid her face in his shirt and nodded. "I forgive you." The words got lost in the fabric, but he heard them nonetheless.

Sebastian buried his face into her hair, still holding on her hands, pleading. "Please let me pursue you."

Massie squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't know."

He continued holding her hands desperately, like a hungry wolf willing to take her scrapes if that's all she offered him. He drew their joined hands to his heart, his eyes were wide, almost child-like. "This area hurts me a lot. I've never felt this before. I have come to understand that when you're around it feels better and happy. You're the only woman I would ever want to be with. You don't have to accept me in the end. Just let me try." He begged. "I'm not going to stop, Massie."

She remained quiet.

"Not unless you really want me to." He said softly, resigned.

"I think we should only be friends for now."

Sebastian frowned. Something that sounded suspiciously like a whine followed after. "Very well. For now."

And just like that, a heavy weight left both their hearts.

"Oh my gosh thank you so much Massie you are sincerely the best!" Kristen cried. The werewoman pulled her into a crushing hug.

As of today Massie was officially Kristen's bridesmaid. While she was away in the cruise ship she missed the news of her upcoming wedding, which according to human standards would be done relatively fast. Two weeks to be exact.

"No worries, I always wanted to be a bridesmaid! I really don't mind getting fitted for the dress tomorrow."

Suddenly, Kristen wiggled her nose. "Were you just with my brother? I smell him on you. I'm glad you guys are talking again, he was starting to worry me."

Massie didn't bother probing as she figured Sebastian was in a mood the time of her disappearance. "Yes, we're back in good terms."

"Good, because you know he's your partner for the wedding right?"

I do now. Massie mused, wondering when anyone planned on telling her she was arranged to so many things in her absence.

Not waiting for her response, Kristen continued rambling about further information. Massie had been busy calculating her new schedule when something she voiced grabbed her attention"—and so because of that we will have visitors coming from other packs. Mostly alphas and their immediate families. To keep relations y'know?"

Massie nodded, but then she realized the implications. "Wait, does that mean the Everglades people will be coming here?" She asked delicately.

Kristen bobbed her head, a stressed sigh escaping her lips. "That's right. It's sure to be interesting," she said.

It sure was. Not only would Massie be faced with seeing Stevens and possibly his three fiancés, but in addition to that even Mia—Sebastian's mother—would technically be meeting her husband's ex. That pack was such a mess to deal with. She determined to stay away from their weremen with all her being.

Kristen shrugged good-naturally. "I tried to plan everything to a T. I just need help with the minor details. What could wrong, right?"

Massie laughed, but smiled nonetheless. She opted to reinforce the soon-to-be bride. "Right."

❤️❤️