34. An Invitation

An Invitation

I flick my wand down, dispelling the last bit of magic that had been surging between Sebastian and me. His arm had nearly been severed, and though the thought of almost maiming my vampire boyfriend made me feel queasy, he seemed far less concerned. After a quick bite for sustenance—and to help him heal faster—Sebastian was back to his cocky self, lounging against the courtyard's crumbling stone wall like nothing had happened.

But I can't stop the gnawing worry in my chest. Derek's been radio silent since he left to deal with his parents. Usually, he's quick with updates, especially when it comes to something this serious. I glance at my phone again, willing it to buzz with a message from him, but there's nothing.

"I don't like this," I mutter, my fingers tightening around the phone. "It's been too long. I need to go check on him."

Sebastian pushes off the wall and walks over, his sharp eyes narrowing in on me. "You want me to go with you?"

I glance up at him, my brow raising. "You? Go with me... to his place?" I let out a chuckle, shaking my head. "Pretty sure you don't want to go waltzing into the wolf den. That's practically begging for trouble."

But instead of flinching or backing off, Sebastian just smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. "You really don't get it, do you?"

I blink, caught off guard by the shift in his tone. "Get what?"

Sebastian steps closer, his voice lowering slightly. "I'm not just some vampire who happens to be dating you. Derek and I—we're both your mates. Fated, bound. That's a connection that goes deeper than just us being into you." He tilts his head, a knowing look crossing his face. "Which means... I'm going to be around for a long time. And so is he. If we're going to be in this for the long haul, we'll be dealing with each other's families sooner or later."

I blink again, trying to process what he's saying. "So, you're telling me... you're okay walking into a pack of wolf shifters?"

Sebastian shrugs, his smirk growing. "They can't deny a mate bond. Especially not one as strong as this. Wolf shifters have a certain... respect when it comes to stuff like that. If they care about Derek, they're not going to hurt me just because I'm a vampire."

I cross my arms, still not entirely convinced. "You're seriously telling me you're not worried about walking into a house full of wolves? Even if they're okay with the mate bond, it's got to be... weird, right?"

"Sure, it's weird," Sebastian admits, his smirk turning into more of a smile. "But I can handle weird. Besides, we've got something stronger than whatever supernatural politics might come into play." His hand reaches out, gently brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "We've got each other. And if that means I've got to deal with Derek's family, so be it."

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "You really are something, you know that?"

He winks. "I try."

There's a part of me that's still a little unsure, but his words settle something deep inside me. The idea that this strange, complicated relationship we've built has roots that go deeper than I realized—it makes me feel... grounded. Safe. Like no matter what happens, the three of us are in this together.

I take a deep breath and glance back at my phone one last time. "Alright," I say, finally making a decision. "Let's go check on Derek."

Sebastian and I walk down the quiet street, the kind of suburban cul-de-sac that looks like it belongs in a postcard, with kids playing in the front yards and adults lounging on their porches. No fences here, just wide-open spaces that scream "friendly neighborhood." The kind where everyone knows your business before you even know it yourself. I get a few waves and nods from the neighbors as we stroll by, and I return them with my best don't mind me smile, glancing over at Sebastian who's probably regretting every life choice that led him to this wolf-infested street.

"You look like you're about to be fed to the wolves. Literally," I tease, nudging him with my elbow.

He raises an eyebrow, lips twitching into that familiar smirk. "I didn't realize this little hometown came with a welcoming committee."

"They're just being polite." I shrug, tossing my hair over my shoulder. "But you, on the other hand... you might need to watch your back."

Sebastian chuckles, low and smooth. "Noted."

We finally stop in front of Derek's house—a cozy, typical suburban home with a wide porch and a yard scattered with toys that have been left out like tiny landmines. I shoot Sebastian a reassuring smile, even though he's probably regretting his decision to come along. I give the door a solid knock, then turn to him, grinning. "Relax. It'll be fine."

He narrows his eyes at me like he doesn't believe a single word, but before he can retort, the door swings open, revealing the cutest little of a girl I've ever seen. Derek's little sister, Phoebe, beams up at me with her gap-toothed smile, her eyes lighting up like Christmas morning.

"Zaria!" she squeals, throwing her arms up in the air.

I can't help but laugh as I scoop her up, swinging her around like we're at some amusement park. She giggles wildly, holding on tight as I twirl her. "Hey, Phoebe! You've been causing trouble while I was gone?"

"Maybe!" she says, giggling even louder.

Just as I set her back down, Derek walks into the room, his arms crossed and a faux serious expression on his face. "Zaria, what did I tell you about being friendly with the gremlin? You're encouraging her."

Phoebe sticks her tongue out at him, and I roll my eyes, giving Derek a once-over. "Please, you know she's the best part of this house."

"I heard that," Derek grumbles, but his lips twitch into a smile. "Everything's fine, by the way. Just got caught up with the parental lecture, which I'm sure you can imagine is a blast."

"Yeah, well, I hadn't heard from you in a while, so I thought I'd better check in. You know, just in case you were being held hostage by your mom."

Before Derek can respond, Phoebe tugs on my arm, her face full of mischief. She leans in close, whispering in the way that only five-year-olds think is subtle. "I put Derek's phone in the freezer. In a jug of water. So he'd stop checking it."

I burst out laughing, covering my mouth with my hand. Sebastian's eyebrows shoot up in surprise as he stifles his own laughter, and Derek looks downright murderous—but in a brotherly way. "Phoebe!"

"What?" she says innocently, blinking up at him with those wide eyes.

Derek sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, that explains why I didn't hear anything from you."

"Yeah, blame the Gremlin," I say, still giggling. "That's one way to make sure you're not glued to your phone."

Derek gives me a long-suffering look. "Oh, she's going to pay for that later."

Sebastian finally speaks up, muttering, "Instant regrets," under his breath, but there's a playful smirk tugging at his lips. Derek shoots him a sideways glance, clearly not in the mood for vampire sass.

"Oh, don't worry, Derek," I say with a grin. "He's already regretting coming here. Isn't that right, Seb?"

Sebastian just leans back against the doorframe, his arms crossed casually. "Let's just say walking into the wolf's den wasn't at the top of my bucket list."

Derek smirks. "Smart man."

Phoebe, apparently done with the conversation, darts off, leaving the three of us standing in the doorway, and I take the chance to ask, "Seriously though, everything okay?"

"Yeah," Derek says, his expression softening. "Just... family stuff. You know how it is."

I nod, glancing between him and Sebastian. "Alright. But next time, give me a heads-up if your phone is about to be submerged."

Derek chuckles. "Deal."

And with that, I know we're back to normal. Well, as normal as things can get with me, a vampire, and a wolf shifter tangled up in whatever this is. But hey, I wouldn't have it any other way. The door creaks open further, and I'm met with the familiar faces of Derek's parents. His mom, Karen Lowell, a warm woman with the kind of smile that makes you feel instantly at home, and his dad, Richard Lowell, a tall, sturdy man with the same sharp features as Derek. His father works with my dad at the nearby vineyard, so we've crossed paths plenty of times.

"Well, if it isn't Zaria!" Karen exclaims, stepping forward to pull me into a hug. "What a lovely surprise. What brings you by, sweetheart?"

I hug her back, trying not to laugh. It's impossible not to feel loved when Derek's mom is around. "I was worried about Derek," I say, glancing over at him. "I hadn't heard from him all day, and I thought maybe he'd been grounded for life."

Karen sighs, her expression softening. "We did hear about the, uh... incident. Not exactly thrilled to hear he shifted in the middle of class, but," she gives me a knowing look, "I have to admit, it's somewhat comforting that it was over your honor."

Richard, crossing his arms, grunts. "Still, shifting in a classroom is reckless. We don't need anyone poking their noses in our business."

Derek, standing awkwardly next to me, rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, well... Miles deserved it."

"Oh, I'm sure he did," Karen says, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "We're just happy you and Zaria are such good friends."

I shoot Derek a quick look. Friends , huh? So he hasn't told them about our mate bond. I raise an eyebrow, silently asking him what the hell he's thinking. And clearly, he hasn't mentioned Sebastian either.

Richard's attention shifts to Sebastian, who's still leaning against the doorframe like he'd rather be anywhere else. With the practiced scrutiny of an experienced wolf shifter, Richard narrows his eyes slightly and asks, "And who's this?"

Sebastian steps forward, offering a polite smile that's somehow still sharp at the edges. "Sebastian. I'm a... friend of Derek's." His tone is smooth, but there's an undercurrent that's both a compliment and an insult rolled into one.

Richard raises an eyebrow, clearly unsure of this new development. "A friend, huh? And what brings you to our home?"

Sebastian, never one to back down from a challenge, smirks. "Wanted to make sure he was alright. After all, we've... somehow become friends. Strange as it sounds." He shrugs, looking unfazed.

Karen eyes me with a curious smile, clearly sensing there's more going on here than we're letting on. "Well, any friend of Derek's is welcome here."

Sebastian gives a small nod. "Appreciate it."

I can feel the tension between the two boys, though it's a playful kind of tension. Richard, ever the protector, doesn't seem entirely convinced but nods nonetheless. "Alright then. If you're a friend of Zaria's too, I suppose you're good in our books."

"Dad," Derek mutters under his breath, "you're not helping."

Karen chuckles, clearly more than happy to tease her son. "Oh, don't be so serious. I'm just happy to see Zaria again. You two have been thick as thieves since you were kids."

I smile, trying to keep things from getting awkward. "It's always nice seeing you, Mrs. Lowell. You know how much I love your cooking."

Karen beams, squeezing my hand a bit tighter than necessary. "Well, it's dinnertime now, sweetheart, so you two are staying. No arguments! We've got more than enough, and I'd hate to send you off hungry. Derek, set two more plates."

Sebastian's eyes widen in mild panic, and he shoots me a look like What have you gotten me into? "Uh… we wouldn't want to impose—"

"Oh, nonsense!" Karen cuts him off, smiling sweetly but with a tone that leaves no room for debate. "It's no imposition at all. We're eating in ten minutes, and you'll stay for it. Right, Richard?"

Richard nods, grinning. "You can't say no to Karen's cooking, son. Trust me, I've tried."

Sebastian opens his mouth, but I quickly interject, smirking. "We'd love to stay. Thanks so much, Mrs. Lowell. Sebastian's been dying to try your famous pot roast."

Sebastian clears his throat, casting me a betrayed look, then forces a polite smile. "Yeah... been looking forward to it."

Karen pats his shoulder, oblivious to his internal struggle. "That's the spirit! Now, make yourselves comfortable. Dinner's almost ready."

As Karen bustles off to the kitchen, I lean in toward Sebastian, barely containing my laughter. "Guess we're staying for dinner now."

He sighs, shaking his head. "Of course we are."

I can feel the amusement bubbling up inside me, the whole situation too surreal not to be funny. "So, Derek," I say, crossing my arms and smirking, "friends, huh?"

Derek groans, shooting a quick glare at Sebastian, who just chuckles. "Yeah, yeah, I was going to tell them. Eventually."

"Sure you were," I tease, nudging him with my elbow. "But now you've got some explaining to do."

Derek sighs, looking between me and Sebastian. "Yeah, I guess I do."

Sebastian just shrugs, smirking as we head out of the house. "No rush, wolf boy. We've got all the time in the world."

As we settle into the living room to wait for dinner, Phoebe makes a beeline for Sebastian, plopping down next to him on the couch. She's not exactly subtle, staring up at him with wide eyes like he's some kind of superhero. Honestly, it's adorable, especially when Sebastian gives her an awkward smile, clearly unsure of how to handle the attention.

I stifle a laugh, watching as Derek, who's sitting next to his dad, rolls his eyes and mutters, "Gremlin's got a new victim, I see."

Richard chuckles, shaking his head as he leans back in his chair. "Phoebe, give the man some space. He's not used to little wolves like you hanging off him."

Phoebe ignores him completely, leaning in even closer to Sebastian. "Are you really a vampire?"

Sebastian, bless him, glances at me like he's looking for an escape. I shrug with a smirk. "Yup," he says, trying to sound casual. "I'm really a vampire."

Her eyes widen even more, and I swear she's about to start asking if he sparkles in the sunlight. Meanwhile, Derek leans forward, steering the conversation before his sister can go full-on vampire fan girl.

"So, Seb and I have a couple classes together, but not a lot. Most of his are for vampires, and most of mine are for shifters. There's not much overlap, except in a few core classes."

Richard's brow furrows, looking mildly surprised. "Vampires and shifters don't usually take many classes together," he says, turning his gaze to Sebastian. "How'd you two become friends?"

I hold my breath for a second, but Sebastian handles it smoothly. "We've got a… unique situation," he says, giving a half-smile. "We met through mutual... interests."

That gets a small smirk from Derek, and I can't help but jump in with a grin. "Yeah, you could say we're all very close now."

Richard raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not pushing it further. "Well, that's good to hear. It's not every day you hear about a vampire and a shifter getting along so well."

Just as the tension starts to ease, Richard glances around the room and then asks, "By the way, where's Sam? Isn't she usually around?"

Derek's smile falters slightly, and he rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, uh… we broke up last week."

Right on cue, Karen strides into the room with a steaming pot of food. "Oh, did you now?" she says, setting the pot down on the table. "Well, I'm very sorry to hear that, Derek, but I have to say, I never thought she was right for you. That girl was always trouble."

Derek looks a little embarrassed but shrugs. "You're not the only one who thought that."

I exchange a glance with Sebastian, both of us trying not to laugh at Karen's bluntness. Honestly, I've always liked Derek's mom for her no-nonsense attitude. She doesn't sugarcoat anything.

Karen looks at Sebastian with a warm smile. "Now, I hope you're hungry, Sebastian. This pot roast is my specialty."

Sebastian, who is clearly still navigating the awkward waters of being a vampire in a house full of wolf shifters, nods with a polite smile. "I'm sure it's amazing."

"Oh, it is," I tease, nudging him. "You'll be dreaming about it for days."

Phoebe, still sitting beside Sebastian, beams up at him. "Maybe you can come over more, Mr. Vampire. We can play games next time!"

Sebastian looks over at Derek, who just smirks and shrugs. "She's not going to let up."

"Yeah, I'm getting that," Sebastian mutters, but there's a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he ruffles Phoebe's hair.

As we settle around the dinner table, the smell of Karen's famous pot roast filling the room, the conversation drifts back to where it always seems to go lately—me, Derek, and Sebastian. I can feel Richard's curious gaze as he slices into his food, clearly trying to figure out the dynamic between the three of us.

"So, how'd you all end up as such close friends?" Richard asks, trying to sound casual, but I can see the curiosity behind it.

Sebastian glances at me, his eyes flashing with a flicker of amusement, and Derek, sitting on my other side, just sighs. "We've been spending more time together lately," Sebastian answers, keeping it vague but polite.

Karen, though, isn't one to beat around the bush. "Oh, come on now," she says, giving me a knowing look. "Zaria, are you dating Sebastian?" I freeze. Karen's always had this knack for cutting through my walls, and I've never been good at lying to her. I adore her too much for that. My eyes dart to Derek, silently pleading for help, but he's conveniently busy with his fork.

"It's... still a new thing," I admit sheepishly, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

Karen beams, and Richard chuckles softly. "Well, you kids grow up fast. It's hard to keep up these days. I did honestly think you'd end up with our Derek though. You've both been through a lot when you were younger."

Derek suddenly groans, pushing his plate away and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, enough." He sounds exasperated but not angry. "Mom, Dad, listen. Both Sebastian and I are fated to Zaria. She accepted both of us, and as weird as that should be, it's not. We're good with it. So, please, for the love of all things holy, stop asking her about her dating life." The room falls into a momentary stunned silence. Karen's eyes widen, her mouth dropping open slightly, and even Richard looks like he's trying to process what Derek just said. I'm bracing for... I don't even know what, when Karen's expression shifts into something resembling a smug smirk.

Turning to her husband, she nudges him with her elbow. "Told you," she says triumphantly. "You owe me a foot rub."

Richard blinks in confusion. "Wait, what?"

"I called it," Karen explains, still smirking. "I knew something was going to happen between Zaria and Derek, but I never imagined she'd also end up with Sebastian. And honestly?" She pauses, her eyes flicking between the two boys before landing back on me. "For Derek to have someone he can trust like this, and for Zaria to have someone who clearly adores her... It warms my heart." I'm a nervous wreck inside, trying to keep my hands from shaking, but hearing her so... okay with it makes me relax a little. Before I can say anything, Karen leans forward again, this time lowering her voice slightly. "And don't worry, sweetheart. We won't tell your parents until you're ready. You'll be the one to explain this to them."

I smile nervously. "Thanks, Mrs. Lowell."

But the moment is interrupted by Phoebe, who's been quietly swinging her legs under the table, clearly confused by all the adult talk. "Wait… Zaria has two boyfriends?"

Her big eyes dart between me, Derek, and Sebastian, trying to make sense of it. The entire table falls silent, and none of us are willing to explain this to a five-year-old.

Karen just laughs, reaching over to ruffle Phoebe's hair. "Eat your dinner, sweetheart."

Phoebe pouts but doesn't ask any more questions—thankfully. I exchange a glance with Derek and Sebastian, and the three of us silently agree: navigating this dynamic with five-year-olds is a whole new challenge.