Don't Date Your Sister's Sworn Enemy

Chapter 6 Black+Blue

Today was Sebastian’s birthday. Usually, I would be much more enthused by that. I would have made him breakfast and decorated our apartment in preparation for our alone time later that evening.

In past years, after his party with friends, he’d always celebrate privately with me. But that was mostly because I refused to go public.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

All this time, I felt horrible because I felt the guilt of hiding my boyfriend away. The irony wasn’t lost on me now, however. It seemed that I was wrong; no, I was the one who was wronged, and Sebastian was keeping me a secret from the world. He enjoyed making me feel guilty; he had been manipulating my empathy this entire time.

With a sigh, I set down my phone and opened my laptop, starting an application for a transfer to a different university.

I had just turned 20 and was now a sophomore. Right after the college entrance exam at 18, I had planned to study in Ontario for my favourite Animation production. Sheridan has been rated the top school for animation in Canada for seven consecutive years, and I wanted to take advantage of the best opportunities to grow and learn. However, meeting Sebastian made me abandon that plan, and I chose to attend UBC in Vancouver just to be closer to him.

UBC had a good program in place, but it wasn’t where I had initially wanted to be. I was only now realizing how much I had been sacrificing for my relationship.

Two years wasted.

After applying, I checked the time, and it was almost 7 PM. It was time to wake Dani.

After Danielle freshened up, we headed out. She had booked a table at Black+Blue, one of Vancouver’s top luxury restaurants. I froze for a second when my eye caught sight of him.

Sebastian was celebrating his birthday there with friends tonight. My heart sank at the idea that my sister might also see him, but I quickly composed myself when I realized our tables were opposite sides of each other, with the impressively stocked bar blocking her line of sight to his table.

Once seated at our table, I asked curiously, “Dani, what project are you here to discuss?”

“There is a new pack, and this Alpha has created a startup that has seemingly taken off overnight. It is an integrative AI system that would strengthen our shared power stations.”

“Are you talking about Cherrywood Industries?”

“Sharp as always, Ivy.”Dani smiled approvingly.

Cherrywood Industries had experienced steady growth over the last year. Still, with the new project they just announced, they are already approaching a net worth of $100 million. Everyone would soon want a piece of them.

I nodded. “They’re quickly becoming an industry leader. Fits your style to partner with the best.”

Dani looked at me warmly. “Leave the pack business to me. You just focus on studying and doing what you love.”

My heart ached for Dani. Born into our family as an Alpha female, Dani had shouldered the River’s Run pack’s future since childhood, enduring strict demands and lectures from our father and his advisors, while I lived freely. Will, freer than her. I was still under heavy guard and one might say coddled to the point of madness. I wasn’t made of glass; I wasn't going to break, but they never saw that. All they could see was that I was born wolfless. It was frustrating.

“You look mute. I’m not sure if that's the best word, but work seems to be stressing you out more than usual, Dani?”

Dani glanced at the menu. “Of course. This is a hectic year for the pack. I have been up late studying all I could about this pack and tech company. That’s why I don’t want you to suffer the same.”

I knew Dani had once loved the violin, but she was forced to push it aside; She never had a normal girl’s night sleepover at friends' houses like other little girls did. Our father didn’t see the point in wasting that time on nonsense and forbade it.

Before she even reached high school, Dani was already studying management, political strategy and Elite warrior training while maintaining top grades.

I often wished for a brother so that Dani wouldn’t carry this alone. Or if she found her mate, then he could help shoulder it, but mates were hard to find if they weren’t within the same pack, especially with her workload expected of her.

In the middle of our meal, my phone rang, and I saw that it was Sebastian.

I hung up.

Annoyingly enough, he called again, so I hung up again.

Dani dabbed the corners of her mouth with the cloth napkin and eyed me suspiciously. “Who is it? Why not answer?”

I shrugged casually. “No one important. Just a spam caller. Dani, keep eating. I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”

I left the table, and once out of sight, I pulled out my phone to send a quick text to Sebastian, only to be grabbed and pulled into the restroom. Sebastian pinned me against the door, but I wasn’t surprised to see him here.

“Why ignore my calls and texts?” His handsome face was dark, clearly displeased.

I feigned innocence. “I’m with my sister.”

“You’ve never ignored me for her before.” His eyes bore into my soul, searching.

I felt a flutter of panic. Had he noticed my changes towards him and his clingy affection now?

I looked down, voice tinged with feigned hurt. “What does it matter anyway. You have other women now, don’t you?”

The darkness in his eyes lifted, and a smirk appeared on his handsome face. I hated it. He perceived my response as jealousy, and it pleased him.

He tilted my chin up, smirking. “Jealous?”

I stayed silent. If he only knew the emotions I was battling within. Jealousy wasn’t one of them.

He lowered his head, pressing his forehead to mine. I knew what was coming next, and sure enough, he moved his face closer to kiss me, but I turned away.

“Still jealous?” His smile widened, hands gripping my waist. “That was a friend’s sister. I was seeing her off to the airport. Don’t overthink it.”

Lies, lies. Did they really come that easily for him? How much of him is genuine? Does he even know?

What kind of friend’s sister? It’s his secret wife.

“Look, I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve been gone too long, and Dani will wonder where I have gone. Let me go.” I challenged his deep gaze.

Stubborn as ever, Sebastian refused to loosen his grip.

“Sebastian, let me go.” I steady my tone.

“I told you numerous times, baby, I want you to call me ‘Seb’.”

After a pause, I didn’t see the point in arguing. So, I whispered, “Seb.” The submissive tone pleased him.

“Ivy!” Dani’s voice called from outside.

Panic flashed across my face, but Sebastian captured my lips in a searing kiss. I froze, nearly moaning before remembering Dani, so I pushed him away, muffling my sounds.

He pulled back, eyes glinting. “Your sister’s gone.”

A waiter’s voice echoed: “Sorry, this restroom’s under maintenance. Please use the one at the end of the hall.”

“Thank you.” Dani’s footsteps faded.

I punched his chest. “You knew someone was outside! You did that on purpose!”

I hated how smoothly he covered his tracks. Dani was right not to do business with him or his pack. He was a snake in the grass.

He caught my fist, kissing my knuckles. “Fine, go back to your sister. But I am expecting you to sneak out early, okay?”

Fat chance!

“I might not be able to. My priority is my visiting sister, and not my boyfriend, who picks random girls up at the airport after telling me he had business to take care of while rushing out of my apartment.”

My words cause his body to tense for a moment. But before he could respond, my phone rang. It was Dani.

I put a finger to my lips, signalling silence.

“Hello?”

Sebastian nipped the soft skin behind my ear. He was trying to pacify me. He was attempting to simmer my anger, not dispute it—a sign of guilt but no honest regret. I yelped, a sound far too suggestive.

“Ivy? What are you doing?” Dani’s urgent voice came through.