Author’s pov
Alpha Xavier’s jaw was so tight, it could’ve cracked a granite countertop.
Tension practically radiated off him like a walking storm of testosterone.
An hour ago, soone had sent him a lovely little gift: a full-color photo spread of his mother cozying up to the boy toy she’d been secretly dating.
He’d gone to all that trouble using Alpha Sebastian to get rid of Cici - only to end up with an even more chaos-wielding woman in their lives.
Karma was truly a bitch with impeccable timing.
Cici had wanted freedom that the White family couldn’t provide, so she’d sold her secrets to Maggie Locke.
One mistake had snowballed into this ss - like a tick you couldn’t shake off once it latched onto you.
Alpha Xavier took a seat across from Maggie, his face cold as winter in the Rockies. "What exactly do you want, Mrs. Locke? For to rescue soone?"
His voice dropped to a dangerous register. "Sorry, but that’s beyond my capabilities. I can’t help you."
Maggie stroked her daughter’s hair, her movents calculated despite their apparent gentleness. "Xenia, sweetie, don’t you think this guy looks handso?" she asked, pointing at Alpha Xavier .
Xenia stared at Alpha Xavier with vacant eyes, looking confused by his sudden appearance.
Alpha Xavier ’s brow furrowed with annoyance.
But sothing shifted in his expression when he looked at the girl more carefully.
For just a mont, recognition flash across his face - the girl’s confused expression reminded him of Cecilia’s sleepy, vulnerable morning face.
"Don’t you think this guy looks very handso too?" Maggie patiently asked when her daughter didn’t respond.
Xenia nodded obediently but then lowered her head and whispered, "But that other guy looks better."
Maggie’s smile tightened at her daughter’s preference.
The temperature in Xavier’s eyes dropped several degrees.
What exactly was this woman trying to accomplish?
----
Outside the restaurant, Alpha Yardley invited Zane Locke to continue their conversation at his office.
As soon as the invitation was extended, Cassian flashed that trouble-making grin of his. "I’d love to visit Sebastian’s office too," he drawled. "Maybe take a little nap while I’m there." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Alpha Yardley froze. Literally froze. If looks could kill, Cassian would’ve been a smudge on the pavent.
Sensing imminent death, Cassian backpedaled faster than a politician caught on a hot mic.
"Kidding! Kidding. I’m not going. I’m gone."
Then, leaning toward Sebastian, he stage-whispered, "But tell that wasn’t the most genius distraction of all ti. That’s all I got, though. You’re on your own now, bro."
With that, he spun on his heel, tossed Sebastian a dramatic air-kiss like he was bidding farewell from a Broadway stage.
" Sebastian by, I left you a present in your office! When I’m back from Australia, I’ll take you on vacation!"
"CASSIAN LOCKE, YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Alpha Yardley bellowed.
"Goodbye, Father," Alpha Sebastian said coolly, then nodded toward Zane Locke. "Mr. Locke."
And then he gestured for Cecilia to follow.
Cecilia respectfully said goodbye to both senior before hurrying after Alpha Sebastian.
Zane Locke’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, sothing unreadable in his eyes.
"She’s young enough to be your daughter," Alpha Yardley muttered while changing shoes. "Having inappropriate thoughts would be truly despicable."
He clearly suspected the worst - first Zane had ntioned his late wife, now he was staring after Cecilia. It looked suspicious.
"I would never..." Zane laughed, though there was sothing sad in it. "I simply find the child endearing. She genuinely does resemble Rebecca."
"Cut the crap about Rebecca," Alpha Yardley snapped. "She’s been dead for years. She can’t see or hear your sentintal performance anymore."
Cecilia’s pov
On the way back, I was dying to ask about the Locke family.
The tension from dinner still lingered in the air like a stubborn perfu.
I stole a glance in the rearview mirror.
Alpha Sebastian had his eyes closed, his strong profile relaxed in what appeared to be ditation.
But I was afraid he would take the opportunity to bring up other things...
Stop it, Cecilia. Just stop.
The Silver Peak Tower ca into view, its glass facade gleaming in the afternoon sun.
I remained tense the entire journey from car to elevator to his office door.
Because he remained silent, his face unreadable.
When I finally escaped to my own office, I collapsed into my chair with the grace of a deflating balloon.
I had just begun to relax when my phone vibrated on the desk. A smile touched my lips when I saw the caller ID.
"Miss Gossip Queen herself," I answered lazily. "Calling for the latest drama, I presu?"
"The entire Denver supernatural community is howling about Cici getting arrested in Boulder!" Yvonne’s voice practically vibrated with excitent. "Spill everything, girl. I want first dibs on this juicy story before it hits the pack grapevine."
Since lunch break wasn’t over yet, I shared the details.
The news would spread through pack channels regardless - might as well give the accurate version.
After hearing the full story, Yvonne whistled low. "Thank the Moon Goddess they locked her up. That psycho would have been trouble even if she had mated with Alpha Xavier. If he didn’t satisfy her crazy standards, she probably would have slit his throat during a full moon."
I thought to myself: You’re underestimating Xavier. But none of that mattered now. Xavier was probably at ho celebrating with his mother, raising champagne glasses to Cici’s downfall.
"Let’s hope justice is served this ti," I said.
"Why do you sound so drained?" Yvonne asked suddenly. "Wait - don’t tell . It’s been too long since you had sex, hasn’t it? That’s why you sound so... pent-up."
I nearly choked on air. "Excuse ?!"
Seriously, was there a tone in my voice that scread sexually deprived or sothing?
Yvonne cackled so hard I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "Oh honey, you’re adorable. But you’ve got a whole walking, talking Alpha solution right in front of you, and you’re not using it. That’s just reckless."
"New topic, please," I groaned, my face so hot I was probably steaming like a microwaved burrito.
But Yvonne was already in full older-sister mode - relentless, inappropriate, and sohow always right.
"I’m just saying, don’t be ashad of your needs! Alpha Sebastian looks like he could - "
"Stop. Right. There," I cut in, holding up my hand even though she couldn’t see . "Fine. You win. I’m not ignoring my needs, okay? I’m... handling them."
There was a pause. Then Yvonne’s laugh turned lower. Silkier. More evil.
"Ohhh. You an you’re handling them yourself. Self-care queen. I get it."
I buried my face in a throw pillow and prayed for the Earth to open up and swallow whole.
"Look," she continued, voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper like we were planning a heist, "if you’re gonna do it yourself, at least do it right. Want to take you shopping? You clearly need so guidance - and babe, for these things, quality matters. Don’t skimp on silicone - quality matters here."
My face went up in flas.
My heart was pounding like she’d just suggested we rob a federal bank, not visit an adult boutique with mood lighting and discreet packaging.
Still, I managed to squeak out, "Dinner’s on tonight."
"Oooh. Aren’t we eager?" she teased. "Soone’s feeling extra needy today."
We quickly arranged a eting place.
I learned that the restaurant was conveniently located near a discreet, high-end toy shop that catered specifically to supernatural clientele, which sent another wave of illicit excitent through .
Suddenly my office line rang.
Seeing it was from the Alpha’s office, I slapped my phone down on the desk in panic.
Two seconds later, I picked it up again and spoke with forced calm: "Sure, sounds good. See you then. Gotta go!"
I hung up and imdiately answered the office line. "Yes, Alpha."
"Falling asleep?" Alpha Sebastian’s smooth voice ca through, that slight Alpha timber making my wolf perk up.
"...Just went to the restroom," I lied, praying he couldn’t sohow sll dishonesty through the phone.
"Co to my office."
Could I decline? Obviously not.
With a pained expression, I responded professionally, "Of course, I’ll be right there."
After hanging up, I let my forehead drop to my desk for three seconds of silent despair before standing up.
I straightened my hair, grabbed my phone, and left my office.
Before pushing open the Alpha’s door, I ntally prepared myself.
When I entered, Alpha Sebastian was standing at the doorway of his private rest area, his expression unusually serious.
He looked a little confused.
"What’s wrong?" I asked, walking over and peering into the room.
Alpha Sebastian placed his hand on my shoulder, drawing closer.
The heat of his touch sent shivers down my spine as he pointed toward the bed and whispered near my ear, "Sothing crawled under the bed. Would you check it out?"
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