My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 358

Chapter 358: Chapter 358 A REQUEST

SERAPHINA’S POV

Mere weeks ago, my first instinct would have been to pull away from Kieran. To spare Lucian the hurt of seeing me with the person I’d chosen instead of him.

I made no attempt to disguise the truth now.

His gaze dropped to our intertwined hands. I didn’t pull away as Kieran’s thumb stroked once across my knuckles.

Lucian’s nose twitched. I knew that by now, Astrid’s perfume had worn off.

There was no mistaking what he saw. What he smelled.

Something flickered across his face.

It was not anger or shock.

It was...despondency, self-mockery.

As if he had expected this outcome all along and hated himself for hoping otherwise.

The flicker was gone in a heartbeat. His expression smoothed into his usual polished composure.

“Well,” he said lightly, as though we were meeting at a social gala. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Kieran’s grip tightened.

“What you’re doing is trespassing,” he replied evenly.

I stepped forward without disentangling my hand from Kieran’s.

“Lucian,” I said quietly. “What are you doing here?”

“I was hoping to speak with you.” He hesitated, glancing at Kieran. “Alone.”

Kieran went still behind me.

I turned to face him and squeezed his hand.

“It’s okay,” I murmured.

His jaw flexed, muscles tensing as he bit down on a response.

I knew after today—after the clash with the rogues and with Corin—the last thing he wanted was to leave me alone with Lucian. But to his credit, he didn’t make a fuss and gave a short nod.

“I’ll be by the car,” he said.

Within sight and earshot. Something told me that was as much as he was willing to budge.

Lucian inclined his head, acknowledging the boundary.

Gaze trained on Lucian, Kieran raised our joined hands and pressed a lingering kiss to my knuckles, his lips warm against my skin.

I wanted to be irritated by the juvenile show, but I was too busy holding back a shiver of desire.

Kieran stepped back and leaned against the hood of his car, arms crossing loosely over his chest. Casual in posture only.

I climbed the steps slowly and joined Lucian beneath the porch light.

Up close, I could see him more clearly.

He also looked better than the last time I’d seen him.

The shadows beneath his eyes were fainter. The rigid strain that had once pulled at his mouth had eased.

But the weight remained, clinging to him like a second coat.

“You look better,” I said gently.

He huffed a soft laugh. “That’s a diplomatic way of saying I looked like hell before.”

I shrugged. “Hell would be putting it lightly.”

He laughed again, and for a heartbeat, there was no strain between us. No distance or secrets.

The moment was gone as soon as it came.

“I won’t take much of your time,” Lucian said, sobering up. “I’m leaving.”

My stomach dipped. “Again?”

He nodded. “Again. For quite a while.”

The wind shifted, cool against my skin. I folded my arms, suddenly craving Kieran’s warmth, though he was mere feet away.

“I didn’t want to leave,” Lucian continued, “without a goodbye like last time.”

Last time.

Memories of waiting in restaurants and cafes surfaced, and I tightened my arms around myself.

“You deserved better,” he said quietly.

My chest tightened.

“I’m glad you came,” I said.

“There’s something else,” he added, shifting slightly. “I know it’s shameless; I know you owe me nothing, but I have...a request.”

I stilled.

“What kind of request?”

He reached inside his coat and withdrew a small velvet pouch. From it, he removed a heavy signet seal—onyx, silver-edged, with the OTS crest etched deep into its surface.

He held it out to me. “I need you to take this.”

I blinked. “The OTS seal?”

“Yes.”

My brows drew together. “Lucian...that grants authority to mobilize your entire network.”

“I’m aware.”

“Why would you give it to me?”

“Because I won’t be here,” he said simply. “I don’t anticipate disaster, but I’d rather not leave things...unguarded.”

I frowned. “But Maya would be a more appropriate choice. She’s practically your second in command already.”

He shrugged. “Maya is soon to become the Luna of another pack. One that has little to no affiliation with OTS.”

“So?”

“If the acting authority of OTS were tied by marriage to another Alpha, it would create a conflict of interest. Questions of allegiance.”

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