"Then what about Jake?" She'd seen the intense anger in werewolf Jake's eyes. It had been frightening. "When he changed, he was like a wild animal."
"There are bad humans who want to hurt people," Sebastian said. "There are also bad werewolves. The shift doesn't change who we are inside. Jake is always a monster no matter what form he's in."
For a moment Emmy didn't say anything. Instead she tried to digest the fact that she was talking to Sebastian about werewolves. She squeezed her eyes shut and dug her fingers into her jeans. It wouldn't have surprised her if she awoke from sleep and realized this had all been some sort of nightmare.
"Sweetheart?" Sebastian said, pulling her from her thoughts. "Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here." She took a deep breath. "Tell me the real reason why Jake is after us."
"I'm sure you know by now that werewolves come in packs—"
"There are a lot of you?" she interrupted. Though she'd known that werewolves came in packs, the thought hadn't entered her mind until that moment.
"Yes," said Sebastian patiently. "And I'm the pack Alpha."
"Wait, what?" Her heart thudded hard. "You're some sort of…of…leader?"
That meant he was strong. She bit her bottom lip.
"Yes, I am," Sebastian said. "That's why I could never answer your questions whenever you asked what I do. You see, I manage the pack."
"On the day that I came to tell you that I was pregnant, the pack was at your house." Her eyes widened as realization struck. "They were waiting for your instructions."
"Some of my pack was there, yes," Sebastian said. "Those there relayed messages to the others."
"And Jake is after me because you're the Alpha?"
"Well, he feels that I took something from him." Sebastian sounded pained. "I was chosen to be Alpha instead of him. Now he wants to take something away from me—you and my baby."
Her heart was aching. It wouldn't have surprised her if it beat itself right out of her chest. "There was so much I didn't know."
"I'm sorry."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She shook her head. "I know that you said you were a werewolf, but why didn't you try harder to convince me? You had to know I wouldn't believe you."
"I was scared." His voice sounded soft, softer than she'd ever heard it.
"Of what?" What did a big, bad werewolf have to be frightened of?
"Of losing you, of hurting the baby." Sebastian made a strangled sound. "Look, I know I should have explained everything, but I was afraid that the stress might hurt you. And what if you lost the baby when you found out about me? I thought by keeping it a secret, I was protecting you."
If Sebastian hadn't spoken in such a hurt, desperate tone, she wouldn't have believed him. Yet his voice said more than words ever could. Though she had yet to accept what he was, some of her wounds began to heal. Now she was glad she'd spoken to him after all. Despite the fear, despite everything, it had been worth it.
"Please tell me that you'll forgive me." His voice was soft. "Tell me that I can see you again. I want to be a part of the baby's life…and I want to be a part of yours."
Her teeth clenched as she sucked in air. "I won't be able to accept what you are overnight. I'm still scared of you. The thought of what you are…it makes me hurt."
"I know. But even if it takes you a while to accept it, I know you can handle this," Sebastian said. "We're meant to be, after all."
"What do you mean?" Her eyes widened in surprise.
"You're my mate, sweetheart," he said. "When I met you, I knew that you were meant for me. You're the person that I'm supposed to be with forever, the woman who is destined to have my children and be my partner for life."
"M-mate?" The word sound so primitive.
"Yes. You're my eternal companion, the love of my life," he said.
The words made her stiffen. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," he said.
This whole thing was unbelievable. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he said.
And she didn't. Instead she became silent in her confusion. Her, a mate of a werewolf Alpha? It didn't make any sense. After all, she was terrified of werewolves. That didn't exactly make her first pick as a werewolf's mate. She needed time to digest all of this, which meant that she had to change the topic to something else. Now. Good thing that was easy for her to do.
"Even though I'm supposedly your mate, I don't know the first thing about raising a werewolf child," she said. "I don't think it will be like taking care of your average baby."