Free Web NovelChapter 73: Chapter 73
Riley’s POV
Sebastian’s words did not leave my head even though he was still standing right in front of me, watching me like he already knew he had shaken me.
I could feel the doubt crawling inside me, and it annoyed me so much because I hated that he could affect me this easily. I stood there for a few seconds without saying anything, and the silence felt heavy.
I kept thinking about what he said, and the more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
What exactly was I going to gain from all of this?
I was about to risk my life in the Rite of the Borrowed Moon just because they wanted to marry me, and before their father would agree, I had to prove myself.
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded. Why should I do something so dangerous just to be accepted?
Then another thought entered my head, and that one was even worse. Ethan. My body stiffened immediately. I had not even divorced him yet. After everything Cane and Caden did to him, he would definitely come after me. He was an Alpha, and I was just a human. If I left this place without their protection, he could easily find me, compel me, and take me back. I would not be able to fight him. I knew that.
Fear started rising again, and I hated it. I hated how weak I felt. I hated how trapped I was. It felt like every path I chose would lead to danger.
Sebastian watched me carefully and then spoke again in a calm voice, "You are thinking about it now, aren’t you? You are finally realizing what you have gotten yourself into."
I clenched my fists. I refused to let him win.
"You are scared," he continued. "That is normal. Any sane person would be. The cave you are about to enter is not a place for humans. You will be alone. No one will save you. No one will hear you scream. The beasts inside will not show mercy. They will not pity you. They will not even see you as a person."
My throat became dry, but I forced myself to speak. "You are trying to scare me."
"I am telling you the truth," he replied. "You should be grateful. At least someone is honest with you."
Cane stepped forward slightly. "That is enough father."
Sebastian ignored him completely and kept his eyes on me. "Do you know how many have died in that place? Do you know how many strong warriors have entered there and never returned? And you think you, a fragile human girl, will survive?"
My chest tightened. I could feel my confidence slipping again.
"You will break within days," he said. "You will cry. You will beg. You will wish for death. And when that happens, no one will come for you." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
I swallowed hard. "Why are you doing this?"
His lips curved slightly. "Because I do not enjoy watching pointless sacrifices. My sons are blinded by their obsession with you. They are willing to throw you into danger just because they want you. That is not love. That is selfishness."
"That is not true," I said immediately, but my voice was not as strong as before.
"Isn’t it?" he asked. "Ask yourself this. If you die in there, what do they lose? Nothing. They will move on. They will find another woman. But you will be the one who loses everything."
Caden finally spoke, his voice cold. "Father, stop."
Sebastian glanced at him but then looked back at me. "You still have a choice. You can walk away right now. I will not stop you. I can even arrange your divorce and send you somewhere safe. Ethan will never find you."
My heart skipped. That sounded tempting. Too tempting.
"Do not listen to him," Cane said.
But Sebastian continued, "You are human. You deserve a normal life. You deserve safety. Not this madness. Not this brutal world."
For a moment, I felt like I could not breathe. My mind was a mess. Everything he said sounded reasonable. It sounded logical.
I looked at Cane and Caden, and for a second, I wondered if Sebastian was right. Were they really risking my life for their own desires?
Sebastian saw the hesitation in my eyes and smiled slightly. "You see? You already know the answer."
I closed my eyes for a few seconds. I tried to calm down. I tried to think clearly. Slowly, I realized something.
If he truly wanted to protect me, he would not try so hard to break my confidence. He would not try to turn me against them. He was manipulating me.
I opened my eyes again, and this time my mind was clear.
"I will risk it and go," I said, shocking him.
He looked surprised.
"Not for them," I continued. "For myself. I am a selfish person, Mr. Sebastian. I do not do things that will not benefit me."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"If I complete the Rite, I gain power, protection, and freedom. If I stay weak, everyone will continue to haunt me. I will not allow that. I am tired of being afraid."
He remained silent. freewёbnoνel.com
"I know the risk," I added. "But I also know what will happen if I run. Ethan will come for me. I will not live in fear anymore."
The silence became heavy.
Then I smirked. "So no, I will not back down."
Cane looked proud all of a sudden, and Caden’s expression softened for a moment.
Then I turned to Caden. "Let’s go."
We began to walk away, but after only two steps, Sebastian barked out.
"Wait."
We stopped.
He walked closer, his gaze sharp. "Let me see your arms."
My heart dropped.
"What?" I asked, trying to act normal.
"Your arms," he repeated. "Show me."
I could feel Cane and Caden tense beside me.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I asked," he said.
I forced a small laugh. "You are being strange."
His eyes darkened. "Show me."
I slowly brought my hands forward, but I kept my fingers slightly curled.
He stepped closer and grabbed my wrist before I could react. His grip was firm.
He stared at my skin for a few seconds.
My heart pounded.
The faded mark was barely visible, but if he looked closely enough, he could notice it.
His eyes narrowed. "What is this?"
I forced myself to stay calm. "It is nothing."
"That does not look like nothing," he said.
Caden stepped forward immediately. "It is a healing ointment."
Sebastian looked at him. "Healing from what?"
