"They were having an argument?" Victoria lifted an eyebrow. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Well—" Dindo, Victoria's personal aide, hesitated. "It was more like… they were flirting."
"Flirting?" Victoria pursed her lips. That grandson of hers was not faking it, was he? She narrowed her eyes. "And?"
"And they went to the young master's room."
Victoria arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?" She got up and walked toward the large window inside her study. The fact that Sebastian found his mate would change everything. It could make him the next Alpha of their pack. "Call the elders. I need to meet with them. While you're at it, I need you to check about that woman's background."
Sebastian told her that they met when Gabby was working with the late Mr. Frank Gomez— a human who had worked with Sebastian's father in the past. Frank just died and it seems that Sebastian 'accidentally' saved Gabby.
But was it all just a coincidence?
Naturally, she had to check if this information was correct. However, his grandson was not someone who liked to lie. She might have hated his father but Sebastian is different.
Besides…when was the last time that Lycan found their mate? If she was right that would be fifty years ago.
Even Sebastian's elder brother, the next Alpha of their pack, has yet to find his mate!
Lycans are a dying breed. Earth has made it easier yet difficult for them to find their mates, and Aetheria is currently in chaos. Different races had been fighting for dominance while some wanted to rule Earth themselves.
In these very trying times, Sebastian actually found his mate.
Was this a sign? Was the goddess trying to tell them something?
...
"You know that you really didn't have to go that far, right?" she asked, her brows frowning as she turned her attention toward the furniture inside his room. Contrary to his expectations, the room felt quite cozy. Contrary to what she expected based on the imposing exterior of the mansion, Sebastian's room felt surprisingly cozy. The walls were a warm cream color, and a thick rug in shades of brown and green covered most of the wooden floor.
A large window took up one entire wall, and the afternoon sun streamed in, casting rectangles of golden light across the room. But the best part was the view. Gazing out the window, Gabby's breath hitched. Instead of a stuffy mansion courtyard, she was met with a sprawling vista of green. Lush trees stretched out as far as the eye could see, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight. It looked like a scene straight out of a storybook.
"How do you like the view?" he asked, ignoring her question as he stood behind her.
Gabby swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. The view was breathtaking, yes, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating off Sebastian's body as he stood impossibly close. She could practically feel the warmth of his breath tickle the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
"It's... beautiful," she finally managed, her voice barely a whisper.
His hand brushed against hers, sending a jolt of electricity sparking up her arm. His touch lingered for a teasing moment before he slowly traced a circle on her palm with his thumb. The innocent gesture felt anything but, and Gabby could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"There are even better views at night," he murmured, his voice low and husky, sending a delicious shiver down her back. "The stars out here are incredible at certain vantage points."
Gabby met his gaze, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. His eyes were a stormy grey, and for a moment, she felt like she was drowning in their depths.
Then out of nowhere, she asked. "Do you… transform during the night and run in your… Lycanthrope form too?" Wouldn't this mean that they are going to run around naked? Ehem… it seems that her mind was slowly moving in a different direction.
Almost immediately, the tension in the air broke. Sebastian stared at her in disbelief. He blinked as if he was wondering if she was somehow serious. Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, he threw his head back and chuckled.
"You are reading too many novels."
"Oh…." Gabby thinned her lips. What was she thinking, exactly? He already told her that everything was different from the books that she read in the past.
"Since you promised to let me study the Lycans then—" Gabby began, trying to salvage the situation. She really wanted to know more about them.
"Do you not want to go out of the mansion? Explore Aetheria?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You told me Werewolves might be lurking outside of this place," she countered, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't worry," he said with a wink. "I can smell them coming a mile away. Besides, I'd rather be showing you the sights than fighting off some mangy mutts."
"I don't want to risk it," Gabby said stubbornly. She wasn't exactly eager for a repeat of her near-death experience. Sebastian told her she was able to heal herself because of her exposure to Aetherium when she was studying it, but it all sounded a little too fantastical for her liking.
But then again, the man before her was already the epitome of the impossible. She turned toward him, studying his face. His bone structure was excellent— just like his grandmother's and the Lycan that she had seen inside Victoria's study. Does this mean that all Lycans are born with such features?
Does this mean they are not just gifted with abilities but they were also born with beautiful features? If so… Then she would really love to get a hold of their blood— and study it closely. Science demanded sacrifice, right?
"Satisfied?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Being my fake mate isn't so bad, is it?"
She blinked, her words taking her out of her scientific stupor. Being his mate would mean she would have access to his blood and could study everything about him. This was a part of their deal. She would also have the freedom to go inside and outside of Aetheria without straining her body.
Moreover, she would have access to the rest of the Lycans in this place. A whole pack of potential research subjects!
"Very satisfied," she answered with a sly smile that could rival a fox.