Page 68 of Hot in Witch City
Sebastian's face fell, and a part of me wished I snapped it all back. But why? What I said was true, it would never work out. He was better off with someone who could give him what he wanted. Someone better than me, without all my issues. I was better off with someone who didn't want anything from me.
Jakob came to mind. Right. Nothing serious, just short-term fun. We’d get together and go our own ways, and nobody would get hurt.
Like I’d hurt Sebastian.
The way he’d looked at me when I’d ended it, so lost and vulnerable, almost made me relent. Why did I have to be such a cold bitch? He deserved better, so much better. Part of me had started to crumble thinking about running into his arms and telling him I wanted to be with him, too.
But he’d deceived me.
Right. Self-preservation kicked in.
If I allowed a man to lie and control me the way my father had, then I’d be wrapping chains around myself. I’d be responsible for my own self-destruction.
I’d survived on my own. Why change? So I could be controlled by another man? No way. Never.
If that was what a relationship was, I wanted no part of it.
But Sebastian had never tried to control me. I softened. Maybe we should talk this out…
The urge to open the door and call him back inside rose. Before I did something stupid, like act on it, I forced myself to walk away.
Sebastian
Rejected.
That word echoed in my head with vicious mockery as I walked away from Gianna’s. It didn’t matter that I’d left the pack—its shackles caught up with me in the end. This wasn’t just any woman who rejected me but my mate.
Everything I’d ever feared about that concept came to fruition with Gianna’s cutting words. It was over. We were done.
My wolf howled inside in anguish. I felt the same way.
Once I drove home and entered the house, I was ready to curl up on the ground and lick my wounds.
Lucas glanced up from the video game he was playing. “You all right, man? You look like a lost ghost.”
I shook my head and sank onto the sofa. A hint of Gianna’s scent lingered to torment me. How long before it faded? “My mate rejected me.”
“No...” Lucas paused the game and stared at me in doubt. “Gianna?” His eyes widened.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“I thought you said it was a false alarm. That your wolf was confused by her siren mojo or what not.”
My mouth curled into a scowl. “I was hoping that was true. It turned out it wasn’t.”
Lucas put the game remote down. “Women are trouble. You know that.” He raised his chin. “Come out with me tomorrow night.” He arched a brow. “We’ll find new trouble to take your mind of her.”
I scowled. “No. I’m not in the mood.”
“What are you in the mood for?” he asked.
“Nothing. No one.”
“Sebastian,” Lucas prodded. “Are you okay?”
Could I sound any more morose? “I have to work tonight,” I explained. “And then I’ll let my wolf run to get some of this out. The last thing I need is to be around people.”
Lucas stood and patted me on the back. “Okay, man. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
