My makeshift nest wasn’t next to the bed like I expected. It was by the window, a good twenty feet away from his bed. Was he going to tie me up to the windowsill? I couldn’t take the collar off by myself, but I could certainly unclip the leash. Without his supervision, it would be incredibly simple to free myself and leave.
Sebastian seemed to be having the same revelation. He watched me with a narrowed gaze, then suddenly dropped the leash.
“Wait here, and don’t even think about misbehaving,” Sebastian ordered.
Wouldn’t dream of it,I thought.
Sebastian left, presumably leaving a couple of servants to watch the door just in case, then returned about fifteen minutes later with that long grey-blue dog by his side. Marianne, I think he’d called her earlier. I raised a brow as they stepped back inside together.
“I thought you said you don’t like dogs in your room,” I remarked.
He returned the gesture. “And I thought I also told you that she’s a Gracehound, not a mere dog.” He pointed to the floor beside his bed, where Marianne had no trouble curling up. But even in that relaxed pose, her eyes were on me.
Sebastian finished his original business of tying me up near the window. It wasn’t too bad, all things considered, since the pillow and blanket were both fit for a royal, but I couldn’t help a twinge of irritation that Sebastian didn’t trust me enough to release me for the night. Then again, why should he? I had deeply frightened him earlier. From his perspective, I could see why he would want an early warning system in place overnight just in case his new alpha decided to bite.
I looked back at Marianne and tried to psychically tell her I had no intention of hurting Sebastian while he slept. I didn’t think she got the message.
“Go to sleep now, Rourke,” Sebastian said, his final order of the evening.
I didn’t reply. I made myself as comfortable as possible on the floor and waited for sleep to take me, all the while hoping that images of Sebastian’s naked back wouldn’t pop into my dreams.
13
Sebastian
Father wasn’t at the dining hall. No surprise there. He was clearly avoiding me and my new pet after purposely causing such a barbaric display yesterday.
My brothers were both present. As we entered the area, they paused what they were doing and turned to watch us, wide-eyed. They seemed more cautious than afraid, which was a step in the right direction. I noticed Rourke slumping his shoulders a bit, as if to make himself smaller, less of a threat. Perhaps he hadn’t been lying about what he said yesterday. In any case, he wasn’t making an active effort to scare my brothers, so I was pleased with him.
“Don’t worry,” I said to Elian and Cecil with a calm smile, “he won’t bite. Isn’t that right, Rourke?”
“No,” he agreed kindly. “The only thing I bite is my food.”
It was a silly thing for a grown man to say, but silly was what my brothers needed right now, and I was glad Rourke was playing along. I wanted Elian and Cecil to know Rourke was not the unrestrained monster Father had made him out to be yesterday.
My brothers glanced at Rourke and stifled small giggles. They were easily swayed by my assurance. They bounced back and eyed Rourke with curiosity.
“Are you really gonna let him sit at the table?” Elian asked.
“No,” I said. “Rourke doesn’t mind sitting on the floor.”
I saw Rourke’s brow twitch but he didn’t argue. He kneeled by my seat. He was tall enough that he could still see over the table. He suddenly gave a sharp jerk, as if startled by something. I smirked, knowing exactly what it was that had surprised him.
“I see Fluffy is also joining us for breakfast this morning,” I said.
Cecil smiled. “Don’t worry, Mr. Rourke. Fluffy likes you now.”
With a loud snort, Elian said, “You don’t have to call himmister, he’s just an alpha.”
A butler brought me my plate. I frowned. Once again, there was far too much food on it. Did Father insist on feeding me as if I was pregnant? Or was this some kind of insulting jab about my alpha?
“I assume you’re not still full from dinner last night,” I said to Rourke.
“No?”
“Good. Then you can have what I leave behind.”
Elian snickered a bit, likely thinking it was funny that I was feeding Rourke leftovers like a dog, but neither he nor Cecil made any more comments about it. To my surprise, they mostly acted like Rourke wasn’t there. I supposed the novelty of their brother’s new toy had worn off. I was glad to see they weren’t frightened of him, at least. The thought of it angered me. What was Father thinking, provoking him like that yesterday? Just to see me squirm?
