chance mate 35

Chapter 35
Noelle
Once we are in the car with Sebastian driving, I can tell that he is uncomfortable just by looking at him. There’s a permanent grimace on his face, and he looks like he would rather be anywhere else.
I roll my eyes from the passenger seat. “You could at least try to look excited for our mission.”
“Excited about you sending us out to die?” he glances my way with irritated eyes. “Because you do realize this is us dying, right? We can’t take on an entire vampire clan.”
“I’m just going to speak to their leader and warn them about what happens if you kill my pack members.”
“Ah, I’m sure they will like that and invite us over for tea.”
“You think so?”
“No, you idiot! They are going to kill us both, but since you’re physically stronger than I am, I can’t even stop you from going. So here I am, ready to die by your side.”
“Or you are leading me to die.”
He turns his head. “That’s a possibility too, so what do you say? Should I turn around the car?”
“No, continue to the cemetery.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup.”
A
Sebastian mutters something under his breath before dragging a hair through his messy blonde hair. “Okay, but can we at least call my brother so he knows where you’re at?”
“He is still in that meeting.”
“And?”
“And I have to do things on my own as the future Alpha. I can’t always rely on him.”
“… your stubbornness isn’t always a strength, you know that, right?”
“No, but it’s a trait of Alphas. So suck it up, Sebastian.”
પણ આ પહેલાં આમલ
ને તોડી લો. ૧૨ પ
He snorts at my response, but there’s a smile on his face. It does feel like old times again. However, when we look at each other, we are both reminded of the present-he cheated on me and chose Erin instead of me-and therefore, his smile doesn’t get the chance to meet his eyes before it vanishes.
He clears his throat. “Any specific music you would like to listen to while we drive?”
“I’m good.”
“Rock it is…”
We continue driving in silence until we reach the parking lot right outside the cemetery. Its scary entrance is looming ahead of us, and I swallow thickly, wondering if coming here really was the best idea.
Sebastian glances at me without turning off the engine; even his hand is ready on top of the shift. “Are you Having second thoughts?”
“Nope,” I lie, determined to not show myself as weak in the presence of my former mate. I’m too proud for that.
“Okay,” he looks ahead and shivers. “I still don’t think this is a great idea, but I will go with you.”
“Vampires don’t always attack, do they? You can strike deals with them, right?”
“Y-yeah, but since we came here alone, it all depends on how afraid they are of Lucian. I mean, if they kill you here and now, it’s his rage they will face.”
317 PM
Chapery 13
“And you don’t think they could possibly respect me enough to let me talk?
“Not after they killed your three maids in broad daylight, no. These vampires clearly don’t respect anything our port
I find irritation bubbling within me at his words. We were mates once, and be treated me like pemerday’s track form, but not anymore. I refuse to let him undermine met
“Then maybe it’s time I showed them some power,” I say, my tone bey and demod of my donke
He looks at me, his eyes widening in surprise. “Look, Noelle-
“No, you look, Sebastian,” I cut him off, anger flaring within me like a dormant volcano wakening from dimber They killed my maids because they thought they could get away with it. They don’t respect me, and you don’t eskert
Sebastian gapes at me, caught off guard by my outburst. I never spoke up to him in the past-to are we late Voete of the past. I let him be the strong one in the relationship, and I can see how shocking this is for ki
“Shit, Noelle…I didn’t mean-*
“Save it,” I snap before forcing a smile onto my face. The expression feels alien and wrong but necesary if I want to hide the hurt that lingers beneath the surface. “We are here now. Let’s do this
Without another word, I swing open the car door and step onto the gravel parking lot, my boots coading body against the small stones underfoot. The cemetery looms before us in the dying light of day, headstones casting long foreboding tutores
that dance in the soft breeze.
Sebastian follows silently, his steps faltering slightly as we approach the cemetery entrance, where two massive wrought iron gates stand ajar. He opens his mouth as if wanting to speak, but I shoot him a glare that makes him close it again, choosing instead to follow wordlessly.
We stride down the narrow path lined with tombstones that vary in size, shape, and age. Some are so old they have moss growing over the engraved names. Others are new, polished and shining beneath the falling sunlight
Sebastian looks up at the darkening sky. The vampires will be stronger once night has fallen”
“I’m sure I can handle talking to them anyway.”*”
whatever you say, Alpha Noelle.”
I don’t bother to respond and keep walking until we reach the heart of the cemetery. There’s a big dragon statue there and a wry smile curls my lips when I can feel a chilling presence around us. The vampires know we are here, and the dragon state? I think that’s the entrance to their home.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Sebastian whispers behind me, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
I keep my eyes on the dragon statue. “Yes,” I step forward and place my hand on the statue, smiling when itsit’s eyes start to glow red. “I’m beyond sure.”
The statue moves to the side to reveal a staircase going down, its steps disappearing into the pitch black
Sebastian gulps audible. “May the moon goddess have mercy on our souls…”
I laugh at that. “I didn’t think the Midnight Beta feared anything.”
“Vampires,” he answers dryly. “Every wolf fears vampires.”
My lips curl into a smile. “Not this one.”
He rolls his eyes. “That’s because you’re insane.”
“Maybe,” I look back at the staircase. “But I think you need to be a little crazy to be a good Alpha. Anyway, let’s get moving. We have a vampire clan to negotiate with.”
I begin walking down the stairs, and Sebastian reluctantly follows. It’s actually not that bad, and my smile widens when we are halfway down. “See, we have made it this far, and the vampires still haven’t killed us-”
Suddenly, the dragon statue moves above us, and the sound surprises me so much that I stumble forward. Fear grips muy because I’m convinced the fall is going to hurt, but surprisingly enough, Sebastian grabs my hand and pulls me into his chest
heart
22
Chapter 35
in the dark.
…did he just save my a***?
Why?t
“Watch your step,” he says, releasing me once I’m steady to then walk ahead of me. “Maybe it’s better if I lead…”
“Fine,” I shrug, feigning nonchalance. But deep down, the act of my ex-mate grabbing me, steadying me..it stirs up old memories. Memories that I quickly stifle before they can take root since I’m with Lucian now. Besides, I can’t afford to be distracted now. “Lead the way”