Cecilia’s pov
"Of course not. I understand," I said with a perfectly practiced smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
Beta Sawyer nodded in agreent. "I have no objections either."
As if our opinions actually mattered.
Alpha Sebastian had always done exactly as he pleased—that was simply how things worked in his world.
I watched as his gaze darkened slightly, lingering on my face for a mont too long.
He could probably see right through my fake smile.
After what felt like an eternity, he waved his hand dismissively. "Both of you may go."
Beta Sawyer and I turned to leave, almost reaching the door when Alpha Sebastian’s commanding voice stopped us.
"We’ll be working late tonight. Beta Sawyer, order dinner. Cecilia, bring your laptop to my office shortly."
We both froze in our tracks.
Seriously? This high-energy day wasn’t over yet?
I wondered if Vice President Wiley had left the building—I could use one of those heart pills right about now.
Once outside, Beta Sawyer leaned toward . "Prepare yourself ntally," he whispered. "Based on his usual overti habits, don’t expect to leave before midnight."
I smiled thinly. "I don’t mind working late."
What I minded was working late with him.
I massaged my temples, feeling the psychological pressure mounting.
In a desperate attempt to stay alert, I downed another cup of coffee, ignoring my stomach’s imdiate protest.
Author’s pov
As twilight fell over Denver, the city lights began to twinkle outside the windows of Silver Peak Pack headquarters, illuminating the urban landscape below.
Beta Sawyer returned with the food and arranged them in the break area.
"Call Cecilia to join us for dinner," Alpha Sebastian instructed casually, not looking up from his docunts.
"Right away," Beta Sawyer responded, heading toward Cecilia’s office.
When he extended the invitation, Cecilia’s expression twisted uncomfortably. "Actually... I’m on a diet," she offered laly.
Beta Sawyer gave her a knowing look—who would willingly choose to eat with their intimidating boss?
"You should eat sothing," he advised. "Otherwise, he’ll ask questions."
Cecilia’s pov
The break room was stifling, the silence between the three of us thick and heavy.
I pushed a piece of roasted chicken around my plate, the sight of it making my already knotted stomach turn.
That earlier Iced Aricano was a mistake, leaving a sour, anxious pool in my stomach.
His gaze—intense and always watching—felt like a physical weight on my barely touched food.
"Not hungry tonight, Cecilia?"
Alpha Sebastian’s voice cut through the quiet. I flinched internally.
Just play along, I told myself. "...Just a bit. I had a granola bar earlier," I lied, the words feeling flimsy.
To prove the point, I carved out a too-big bite of chicken and forced it down.
It was like chewing on cardboard, each swallow a conscious, difficult effort against my rebellious stomach.
The pressure in my abdon tightened like a vise.
Why are you doing this? a voice scread in my head. Since when do you perform for him like a trained pet?
The self-annoyance was sharp and sudden.
I dropped my fork with a clatter that was louder than I intended." I’m full. Please, continue without ."
I didn’t wait for a response.
I rose so quickly my chair legs scraped the floor, and I headed straight for the sanctuary of my office.
Back in my office, I sipped water to settle my stomach, but it only made things worse.
Each swallow felt like it might trigger the gag reflex that stubbornly refused to activate.
When the clock indicated it was ti, I reluctantly gathered my laptop and made my way to the Alpha Sebastian’s office.
His space was minimalist but elegant—a large executive desk and a set of leather eting couches.
I chose the couch, keeping as much distance between us as professionally possible.
Alpha Sebastian worked like a machine, passing files in an endless stream.
Just as I finished reviewing financial statents, legal docunts appeared before . The work never stopped.
By 11:30 PM, my eyes were burning. I discreetly reached for my eye drops, tilting my head back to administer them.
"Cecilia," his voice suddenly called out.
I startled violently, causing the eye drops to stream down my cheek just as I turned to look at him.
Alpha Sebastian glanced up with a docunt in his outstretched hand, catching sight of the liquid trailing down my face. His expression softened montarily at what he misinterpreted as tears.
"You don’t need to cry just because we’re working late," he said with an unexpected gentleness in his voice.
"I’m not crying!" I protested, mortified. "It’s eye drops!"
"Ah," he acknowledged with understanding. "Here, review this next."
I rose to take the docunt from him. As I reached for the papers, he said sothing that stopped cold.
"Cecilia."
"Yes?" I answered automatically.
Alpha Sebastian leaned back in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his fox-like eyes deep and unfathomable.
He’d called my na but remained silent for what felt like an eternity.
"I behaved inappropriately last night," he finally said. "I apologize for frightening you. Please don’t dwell on it."
My fingers tightened around the docunt’s edge. My heart raced as I struggled to formulate a response.
"I apppreciate your apology," I finally managed, trying to sound natural.
A lazy smile curved his lips. "I haven’t made you uncomfortable at work, have I?"
I forced myself to smile back. "Not particularly."
"Don’t be afraid," he continued. "I’m not so criminal forcing himself on you. I won’t pressure you into anything you don’t want. If my actions caused you any discomfort, I apologize again. Can we pretend it never happened?"
I nodded repeatedly, words tumbling out. "Yes, of course, that’s fine, yes, good."
I retreated hastily to the couch with the docunt, suddenly understanding why he’d asked to stay late. He wanted to clear the air between us.
He’d co to his senses, thankfully.
I silently thanked Miss Hazel for capturing his attention.
At least I’d misjudged him—he wasn’t trying to pursue multiple won simultaneously.
He was rational, knew his boundaries, and respected mine.
I exhaled softly and returned to my work, noticing I’d crumpled the corner of the docunt in my tight grip.
I tried smoothing it out, but the wrinkles remained stubbornly visible.
Oh well. I flipped the page in defeat, choosing to ignore it.
At exactly midnight, Alpha Sebastian announced we could leave for the day.
I moved my unfinished work back to my office, stayed a bit longer to organize things, then finally drove ho.
After a hot bath, I climbed into bed, but my stomach still wouldn’t settle.
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wishing I could just throw up and get it over with, but my body refused to cooperate.
I rummaged through my dicine cabinet for so digestive tablets, finding nothing useful. My frustration doubled.
In desperation, I changed clothes and headed out to find a pharmacy.
Surely sothing would help.
After driving around the neighborhood, reality set in.
At 1 AM, no pharmacy would be open.
I pulled over and rested my forehead against the steering wheel, my frustration giving way to lancholy as I stared out at the quiet night.
Under the streetlamp, a swarm of tiny black insects circled the light, while moths repeatedly crashed into it.
"So stupid," I murmured, watching their self-destructive dance. "Don’t you know that light is deadly fire for you?"
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