Unfortunately, there was no time to play later. Once she got started getting the place ready for the ball, things went completely insane. She barely saw him and by the time she did, it was to go to bed. He was busy with pack issues and she ended up only seeing him for a few minutes before she fell asleep from exhaustion.

The ball turned out to be amazing. The castle was decorated in spring colors. She went up to her room and found a dress on her bed complete with shoes and gasped at the beauty.

The dress was a strapless yellow gown that had a cinched waist and an A-line cut with a sheer gauzy skirt that reminded her of a princess gown. She felt like true royalty in that dress. She’d curled her hair and left it loose. Sebastian loved running his fingers through her hair and she wanted to look good for him.

She rushed downstairs, ready to help Sarai in making sure any last-minute details were handled with ease. Kellen marched into the garden room where she and Sarai were chatting.

“Sebastian would like to see you,” he told Harper.

She raised her brows and smiled at him. “You look great in a suit!”

His gaze strayed to Sarai. He winked at her and grinned. “Thank you.”

Harper rushed to Sebastian’s library. She opened the door and walked in without knocking. He stood with his back to her. It was a second before he turned and faced her. He was wearing a tux. Lord have mercy. A man shouldn’t look that good in a dress suit.

“You look beautiful,” he growled, prowling toward her and pulling her into his arms to kiss her hard.

She didn’t fight it. Instead, she curled her arms around his neck and pressed herself even closer. The kiss was life. Heat bloomed in her chest. Her animal made herself known, wanting to come and feel closer to him. Her heart filled with love for him. It was easy to acknowledge how she felt when she wasn’t fighting it any longer.

Perhaps it would have been weird before to say she fell for him in such short time, but not now. Now, it was perfect.

He pulled back from the kiss and groaned. “Why did you plan this thing? Now, we have to wait hours before I can get you out of that dress.”

She laughed and pushed away from him. “Trust me, this isn’t easy for me, either. You look amazing in that tux. 007 has nothing on you.”

He chuckled and turned to his desk. “I have a gift for you.”

She followed his hand to his desk and saw him pick up a jewelry box. “What is it?”

Nobody ever gave her gifts. It was really weird. Still, she sensed his excitement at giving her the present, so she wouldn’t make him feel bad. This new ability to sense his emotions gave her massive insight into their relationship and his feelings.

“This was something I had made for you,” he told her, opening the jewelry box to show her a small white gold wolf pendant with canary diamonds for eyes.

The wolf grew blurry as tears filled her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

“Don’t cry, love. I want you to like it,” he said, sounding unsure.

“I love it,” she sniffed. “That’s why I’m crying.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. “Nobody has ever given me anything. Ever.”

“You deserve the world. I’ll give it to you as long as I live.” He put the pendant on her neck and guided her out to the ball.

She hadn’t expected he would have her stand next to him to greet people as they arrived. It was awkward at first. Everyone stared at her, but after a while they relaxed and were smiling at her, welcoming her into the pack and even wishing them luck as a couple.

“Why are they assuming we’re a couple?” she whispered to him after a while.

“Because we are. The king only welcomes people to his home with his mate. That’s you,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

He was called away from her once everyone had arrived. The ball was in full swing with champagne and wine being passed around. The staff passed bite-sized hors d’oeuvres. Everyone was having an amazing time.

“Stop being selfish,” she heard someone say from behind her. She turned to face Delilah and her evil glare.

“Excuse me?”

“You know he needs you to give him a child to live and you haven’t made the effort to do it. Do you not care if he lives or dies?”

Her heart grew cold at the woman’s words. “Of course, I care. I love Sebastian!”

Delilah snorted. “I doubt it. Why are you still not pregnant?”

“How would you know? You’re human,” she snapped, losing her patience.

Delilah shrugged. “Sarai told me she’s worried about Seb. His birthday is coming up and you have yet to give him the child he needs. This is all your father’s fault, anyway.”

Harper gasped, her lungs tightening and making it harder to breathe. “What do you mean? How is it Christian’s fault?”

Delilah picked up a flute of champagne from a passing tray and gulped it down. “Ask Sebastian. And maybe start thinking about keeping him alive, if you actually give a damn.”

The rest of the night went by in a sick, cold blur. Delilah was right. She knew that was the original reason for her to be in the castle. To give Sebastian a baby. She loved him. Loved him with all her heart. This needed to become a priority.

The last of the guests were leaving when he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck. “Hello, beautiful.”

She hugged his arms tightly and leaned her head to the side, giving him access to her neck. “Let’s get out of here.”

He flipped her around and met her gaze. “Are you sure? I know this was your and Sarai’s project. I was waiting patiently,” he grinned. “I didn’t want you to feel pushed into leaving.”

She curled her arms around his neck and kissed his jaw. “Take me to bed.”

“Your wish is my command, love.” He picked her up in his arms and carried her out of the ballroom.