Sebastián

e l e v e n

It was like everything in the world had stopped. His lips on mine, nothing else. The tingles that erupted through my body, the ache of the mark on my neck. They were the only things on my mind. That is until I couldn't breathe. Hesitantly I break away from my mate, our foreheads pressed together as we try to regain our composure. I didn't know what to say, this wasn't my first kiss, my first kiss wasn't anything like this.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your notes" I thank the teenage boy sitting next to me. He was undeniably attractive, but human and those relationships never ended well.

"No problem" He watches as I copy down the words sloppily. I wasn't sure what our relationship was, but he hung out with me a lot and sometimes even flirted. "This means you owe me" His eyes turn dark and suddenly my stomach drops. Something isn't right.

"What do you mean?" I ask nervously, awkwardly laughing, trying to ignore his body gradually getting closer to mine. "Liam?" The look in his eyes is hungry, animalistic. This is the first time I've seen a human like this, it's chilling.

"You're mine from now on Cristine" He states, roughly grabbing my neck and pressing his lips to mine. I try not to wince at the harsh contact and the aching in my neck. Is this how kisses are supposed to be?

"Cristine?" The soothing voice pulls me out of the darkest depths of my mind. Sebastián's eyes look at mine worriedly. "What did you just see?" He knew I was somewhere else, hell he even knew I was having a flashback.

"Nothing important" Avoiding his eye-contact that would undoubtedly catch my lie, I start to shift out his hold. He lets go willingly. It felt as if all the progress we made dissolved as quickly as the lie left my mouth, leaving me feeling empty.

"We all have our secrets, Cristine, just don't let that get in the way" He is leaned against the wall, still wearing just a towel. The only difference is that the water droplets had now evaporated.

"In the way of what?" One moment Sebastián acted like he wanted me, then the next he acted as if he resented the fact that he wanted me.

"You'll be Queen, you need to grow up" His words were like a slap in the face. Talk about a 180.

"Excuse me?" My voice was steady, unwavering. "We are both keeping things from each other so don't go acting all high and mighty Alpha King" His eyes ignite at the use of his title. He was livid. Good. So was I.

"Don't call me that" I try to ignore the fluttering in my chest, but it still remains, fervent as ever. Now's not the time Cristine.

"I'll answer one question if you answer one question" My eyebrow raises at the offer. Ok, total 360 now.

"Fine" I reply hesitantly. "Why is your cousin in the hospital?" I knew it wasn't a good idea to just go for the most obvious question, but when I had asked earlier his reaction was intense. Plus I really wanted to know. He sighs.

"I'm putting clothes on gimme a sec" He disappears into the closet, reappearing a few moments later wearing a black hoodie and some grey sweatpants. "My cousin...his name is Francisco Santos, Dmitri's son" He explains. "A few months after my parents died he started acting differently. He was paranoid and sometimes even attacked his Father, it was like he was afraid of him or something. He only got worse as the time went on and Dmitri chose to put him in a behavioral health hospital, inpatient." His explanation provided some information, but there were a lot of secrets floating around this large castle.

"How long?" I question, watching as Sebastián visibly gulps.

"He's been kept there since my parents died, a couple years" I try my best not to audibly gasp. Years being an inpatient at a behavioral health hospital? That was intense. Usually staying a month would be considered long. "Now it's my turn" I nod in agreement, still digesting Sebastián's story. " Why-" He goes for the obvious question before quickly changing it. "Who's Liam" My heart stops. How in the world did he know about Liam?