The Descendant 4: Sebastian

Her scent hits me before I even step foot in the bookstore. I quicken my pace, almost breaking into a run. I’ve spent my entire life within the confines of the royal grounds, shielded from the public and the lurking dangers that are always eager for a glimpse of me—the last descendant.

I can’t hide it. I can’t suppress the power that pulses from my skin. Everyone knew I’d be born the most potent king and descendant in our supernatural world. What they didn’t know was the lengths they’d have to go to protect me from those who’ve wanted to annihilate me since my birth.

My mother is a descendant, too. She has the gift of foresight. But she never shares her visions. There’s a reason she sent me to stay with my best friend and cousin, Scarlett, at King Alaric’s castle. I get the need for protection. But Mom isn’t the only one with abilities. I may not see the infinite future, but I have a knack for sensing what’s happening within people. Call it my sixth sense, my third eye. And Scarlett isn’t the only reason I’m here.

Alaric is Scarlett’s mate. He’d give his life for her. He almost has. They’re inseparable, and now they’re expecting their first child—a vampire. Thanks to him, I’ve tasted what freedom feels like. I owe that vampire more than I can ever repay. He’s nothing like Xavier and everything Scarlett needs. He’s given me the ability to move around unnoticed, concealing my powers and my identity. Sure, it’s with a hideous, brown cloak imbued with magic, but who am I to complain?

My breath catches in my throat. I feel my eyes start to glow. I can’t approach her like this. I can’t even breathe properly. It takes all my strength to suppress my instincts, but controlling my heart is another story. The damn thing is hammering in my chest, and I swear if I don’t get a grip soon, it’s going to burst.

“Can I help you? You look like you might need to sit down before you faint.”

She giggles. Goddess, she giggles. The sound shoots straight to where I don’t need it to. Good thing I’m wearing a cloak.

“Umm…yeah, sure. Sitting down sounds good right now.”

She smells like lilies and jasmine. If I don’t sit down soon, I’m going to make a fool of myself and probably terrify her in the process. Who the hell gets turned on by smell alone?

I’m both miserable and thrilled. Now I understand all those cold showers Alaric used to complain about before he and Scarlett mated. I could use one right now, and I wouldn’t be complaining. I need one, desperately.

“Can I get you anything?”

“A cold shower.”

“Excuse me?”

“Water…cold water, lots of ice.”

She giggles again, and I groan.

“Sure thing. I could’ve sworn you said a cold shower. I must be hearing things.”

I watch her walk away. Goddess, she’s beautiful. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Her long, white hair falls to the middle of her back and curls at the ends. It bounces as she walks, drawing my eyes to her ass.

Dammit, that’s not helping my situation. I have to look away before she catches me staring. Her skin is flawless, like creamy satin. But her eyes are the best part. They’re a bright aqua color that took me by surprise. I’ve never seen eyes that color before. They’re the color of the most beautiful oceans, as seen in pictures. One day, I’ll see them in person.

“Here you go, handsome. One water with lots of ice.”

“Sebastian.”

“What?”

“My name is Sebastian.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you, Sebastian. I’m Rhea.”

I’ve been coming back almost every day to see if she’s here. Some days she isn’t, other days we just sit and chat between customers. I’m trying to figure out if she feels anything. It surprises me that I do.

I don’t have my wolf yet. Being a descendant has my wolf deep in hiding until I find my mate. Mom said she could smell Dad and feel the tingles between them, but the mate bond wasn’t there until her wolf came. I knew who she was the moment I smelled lilies and jasmine.

“Are you here for me or just for the books?”

I glance up, grinning.

“Honestly, I’m not much of a reader.”

“Good, because that would be a little weird.”

She reaches out, plucking the book from my hands. I’d forgotten I’d picked it up, intending to return it to the shelf, when she came over and sat down.

“Natural childbirth, step by step?”

“Oh, damn. I picked up the wrong one.”

Her laughter rings out, a sound I adore.

“I figured as much when you slammed it shut and turned white. So, Sebastian, where are you staying?”

“With my best friend and cousin for now. She’s pregnant and we haven’t spent much time together recently. But eventually, I’ll have to go back home.”

“That’s nice that you’re close with your family.”

“What about you?”

She looks down, her fingers twisting her skirt. It rides up to mid-thigh without her noticing. What I notice isn’t her smooth skin but the fresh bruise peeking out from under the fabric. A bruise so large it covers the top of her thigh in black and blue.

“Rhea, who did this to you?”

She looks up, startled, her aqua eyes wide. Realizing what she’s revealed, she pulls her skirt down. She reaches out, touching my hand, then pulls back.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I can’t help but smile. She feels it. She feels the spark between us.

“Feel free to startle me anytime.”

She stands, looking away with a small smile. I can see her cheeks have turned pink.

“Do you need anything else? I have other customers to attend to.”

“I’m good…for now.”

I have two things I need to do. The most important is to find out who hurt my mate and make them pay. Make them feel the pain she did. No one touches my mate, and no one hurts her without dealing with me.

The second is to talk to my father, the king alpha. I’ve been avoiding it for too long. I need his wisdom, his advice. He’s a good man. A strong man who rules all wolves with an iron fist, but they love him. They follow him without question. He raised me well, but I don’t know how he’ll react when I tell him I’ve found my mate.

And she’s human.