The Arrangement

Sebastian had never been more worried in his life, not even when Natalie went into labor. And he was frantic when she had gone into labor.

He was pacing in his private office, waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting for news, any update on his sister. He couldn’t help but feel as if he was responsible. He was the one who offered her the arrangement. He let her go.

And now she was hurt, badly.

His little sister, who had suffered so much, had almost died. He almost lost his little sister. And it was all his fault. He didn’t protect her. He was her brother, he was supposed to protect her.

Sebastian sat down on the couch and gripped his hair. Tears welled in his eyes. Why Madeline? What did she ever do to deserve this? She was a good girl, though a little mischievous as a child. She lost her mate, her child, and now she has almost lost her life. She did nothing to deserve these horrors that had occurred to her.

The door creaked open and soft footsteps thudded closer to him. His mate’s soft body sat next to him and molded into him. She cradled his head to her chest. His muscled arms wrapped around her waist.

He broke.

Ugly sobs racked his body.

Natalie rocked his body and stroked his hair as he cried. She whispered sweet words in his ear in attempt to calm him down. It took time, but the tears eventually stopped flowing downing his cheeks.

Her thumbs brushed away stray tears on his cheeks. Her lips pressed to his forehead, his nose, and lastly, his lips. Just as she pulled away, he locked his head behind her head and pulled her back in for the kiss. He swiped his tongue along her lips, in silent demand for her to open up to him.

She did almost immediately.

He swept in, tasting her, welcoming the familiarity of her.

He had to force himself to pull back from Natalie. He pressed his forehead into hers. It was not the time nor the place.

He lifted his head and looked down at his mate. He caressed her cheek. “I love you.”

“And I love you. Now, what was that all about?” She inquired.

He dropped his head in defeat. “I failed her,” He whispered. “She was supposed to be safe and yet she’s hurt. I’m her brother. I’m supposed to protect her and I didn’t.”

“Oh, Sebastian.” Her hands were on his face again. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know this would happen. There was nothing you could have done to protect her.”

“I shouldn’t have let her go. I should have kept her here, where I could keep her safe.”

“To do what then? She was wasting away here, you know that as much as I did. This place reminds her of everything she ever lost.” Natalie’s voice rose. “There, she has a purpose. There, she is not wasted. She is doing good. She is taking care of the Pack. She is needed there more than we need her here.”

Sebastian stood and began pacing the floor again. “And yet she was injured, so much so that they could have lost her. I could have lost her.”

“And if she was here she could have been hurt all the same, worse even. Yes, she is hurt, but she will be fine. You to need to stop beating yourself up about it.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to speak but the phone rang. He all but leaped to the phone. He picked it up.

“Alpha Sebastian speaking.”

Natalie walked up beside him, sliding an arm around his waist. He put his over her shoulder.

“This is Benjamin speaking. Madeline is awake.”

He squeezed his mate. “Can I speak to her?”

“Yes, of course.”

There was some shuffling on the line and could distinctly hear voices in the background. If he focused, he could understand what they were saying, but he only wanted to talk to his sister.

“Hello?”

Sebastian let out a sigh of relief when he heard the tentative voice of his sister.

“Hey Mads. How are you doing?”

“I’m hanging.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “How are you doing? Is Jacob doing okay?”

“Yeah. He’s good. We’re good. Better now that I know you’re okay. You are okay, right?”

Her laugh was music to his ears. “Yes, I’m fine. Sore, but that’s to be expected. I’ll be up and running in a few days.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said, “You had me really worried.”

She sighed. “I know I know. I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on. Besides, Emerson has already assigned half the Epsilon to me. I tried to tell him that it’s too much but he won’t hear anything of it.”

He chuckled. “Good. That’s means it will be harder for you to escape them. And no escaping them Madeline. Please. They’re there to keep you safe and they can’t do that if you disappear.”

“Please, since when have I ever run away?”

“You don’t want me to answer that.”

“Shut up!” She exclaimed, causing Sebastian to laugh. “Hey, Seb, I have to go. I’ll talk to you later okay?”

“Okay. I’m holding you to that. Bye Mads.”

“Bye.”

He hung up and set the phone down. He nuzzled his nose into Natalie’s hair. He breathed her lovely scent and smiled.

“I told you she was fine. You were worrying for nothing.”

He gave her a scolding look.

“Okay, so not for nothing. But you didn’t need to worry so much,” she amended. “Now will you come eat? Or at least see your son? He misses you.”

He nodded. “Of course. Let’s go see that little troublemaker.”

He loved hearing the giggles that erupted from her. He bent down suddenly and heaved Natalie over his shoulder, carried her out into the hall.

“Sebastian! Put me down!” She shrieked.

He just laughed and continued on. He set her down when they had reached their Wing and pulled her into his arms. He lowered his mouth onto hers.

She smiled against his lips. Her hands gripped his biceps as she kissed him hungrily. He met her kisses with equal passion. That was, until, the voice of his four-year old interrupted them.

“Ew! Stop eating Mommy’s face!” Jacob yelled.

He sighed and pulled back from his mate. “I’m not eating Mommy. Where did you get that crazy idea?”

He grabbed his son before he could run away and started tickling him. Jacob’s squeals filled the room. He squirmed in his father’s arms, trying to get away. Sebastian let him go and watched as his son ran to his mother. She picked him up and “protected” him from the tickle monster.

Sebastian kissed the top of Jacob’s head and then kissed his mate’s cheek. “Let’s have a movie day. Just the three us, watching movies in our pajamas. How does that sound?’

“Yes yes yes!” Chanted his son.

“Go put your pajamas on and then pick out the movies.” Natalie set him down and he ran to his room. She chuckled and turned to her mate.

He took her hand and led her to their room. He shut the door. “Think we have enough time for a quickie?”

She slapped his arm when he wiggled his eyebrows. “You know we don’t. He’ll be banging on our door to hurry up in a minute.”

“So later then, when he falls asleep?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, fine. Later. Now change.”

“I think I’m going to need a little help.” Sebastian’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

She gave him a sultry smile. “Is that so?”

“Mhm. It’s something only you can help with.”