CHAPTER 4
1069 Words
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Eclipse Pack, Sebastian was on the verge of losing his mind.
His heart pounded violently against his ribs as he led his warriors through the dense forest, his senses hyper-focused on the faint trail of Brianna’s scent.
His wolf snarled within, restless and on the verge of madness. The mere thought of losing his daughter, his only light in this world drove him dangerously close to insanity.
He had been in his office, reviewing reports, when he heard it.
The unmistakable, bone-chilling howl of his daughter.
The sound shattered the quiet night, piercing through every instinct he had as a father.
His body moved before his mind even processed it.
"Find her. Now!" he roared, sending his warriors and Beta into action.
A search party spread across the pack lands, wolves shifting mid-run, their noses to the ground.
His Beta, Ambrose, had been trying to keep him level-headed, but even his steady words barely reached him.
Every second wasted was a second too long.
“Brianna… please, be safe,” he prayed silently, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached.
And then it him.
He could feel it.
He knew exactly where his daughter had gone.
To her.
To the woman she had called Mama.
With a growl, he shifted into his wolf. His Beta and the strongest warriors followed, their presence barely registering in his rage-filled haze.
The trail led him to an estate he recognized all too well Piper Callista Sinclaire’s empire. A place of power and wealth, just like the woman who owned it.
His claws retracted as he inhaled deeply, steadying his rage. If Brianna was here, she was alive.
That was all that mattered.
___
At the resort, Matthias was already waiting at the entrance when Piper arrived with Brianna in her arms.
His eyes widened at the sight. "Oh, hell."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Piper muttered, pushing past him.
The night staff gawked but wisely stayed silent as she strode toward her office.
By the time she settled into her chair, exhaustion had finally caught up to her.
With Brianna curled against her, her warmth radiating through the fabric of her designer blazer, Piper's heavy eyelids slowly shut.
Matthias, standing by her desk, watched as his boss-who was always a force to be reckoned with-sank into the depths of sleep, her arm instinctively wrapping around the small child.
Neither of them stirred when the doors burst open.
A powerful presence filled the room.
Sebastian Blackwood.
Sebastian had expected many things—chaos, panic, the sight of Brianna crying in fear. His eyes were wild, filled with raw, untamed worry as he scanned the office. His warriors stood behind him, tense, ready to act.
But what he didn’t expect was her.
Piper.
His gaze landed on them.
On the woman who had haunted his thoughts since the gala.
She sat on her office chair, one leg crossed over the other, designer heels still on, draped in designer elegance, her long lashes resting against her cheeks in deep sleep.
Her posture effortlessly regal even when sleeping.
She smelled… divine. A scent that lured him, as intoxicating as the richest honey and the softest jasmine. His wolf, which had been roaring for war, suddenly whimpered, tail flicking in interest in his mind.
Sebastian swallowed hard.
And in her arms-curled against her chest like she belonged there-was Brianna.
Sebastian's breath caught.
His daughter, safe.
His daughter, sleeping peacefully in another woman's embrace.
His fists clenched.
His rage, his panic melted into something quieter, something deeper.
And for the first time in years...
Sebastian felt something close to peace.
Silence filled the room.
Sebastian took slow, deliberate steps forward, his sharp eyes locked onto the scene before him. His warriors stood behind him, waiting for orders, but none came.
His daughter-his precious, reckless daughter-was curled up in the arms of Piper, fast asleep.
Piper, her head resting lightly against the high back of her office chair. Her long lashes fluttered slightly, as if she was dreaming, but her grip on Brianna was secure, protective.
Sebastian's Beta, Marcus, cleared his throat quietly.
"Alpha?"
Sebastian lifted a hand, silencing him.
His gaze darkened as he took in every detail-the faint creases in Piper's blazer, the way Brianna's small fingers curled into the fabric, the steady rise and fall of their breathing in sync.
Something primal stirred in his chest.
This wasn't right.
This was too right.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair before turning to Matthias, who stood by the desk with arms crossed, watching him carefully.
"She called you, didn't she?" Sebastian asked, his voice low.
Matthias smirked slightly. "Of course. Boss doesn't just let strange kids wander into her arms in the middle of the night."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "What happened?"
Matthias glanced at Piper and Brianna before responding. "Kid showed up outside the estate, all on her own. Piper found her before anything could happen, but there was a rogue lurking nearby."
A growl rumbled deep in Sebastian's chest.
A rogue.
His daughter had been in danger, and he hadn't been there to stop it.
He turned back to Piper, taking another step closer. He could smell her more now this close.
His wolf stirred.
Mine.
The thought came out of nowhere, unwelcome yet undeniable.
Sebastian's eyes darkened.
No.
He clenched his fists, shaking off the thought. He wasn't weak. He wouldn't let fate dictate his life.
Not again.
But then Brianna shifted slightly in Piper's arms, nuzzling against her like she belonged there.
And that made something snap inside him.
His throat felt dry as he stepped closer, his hand instinctively reaching out.
"Wake up," he commanded softly.
She didn't stir.
His lips pressed into a thin line.
Stubborn woman. Even in sleep, she was impossible.
With a resigned sigh, he crouched down to eye level, his gaze lingering on her peaceful expression.
Then-his voice dropping to something dangerously low-he whispered:
"Piper"
His fingers barely grazed her arm when her lashes fluttered open, and for the second time, he locked eyes with her.
The air between them thickened.
Sebastian had faced countless enemies, led warriors into war, and endured unimaginable pain in his lifetime. But nothing, absolutely nothing, had ever shaken him the way her gaze did.
It was as if she saw right through him.
And damn it all, she smelled so damn good.
- Writer
