Cecilia’s pov
The house settled into that peculiar quiet that cos with early evening--the brief pause between day and night.
Tang nearly bounced on his heels as he nudged toward the stairs.
"Go on. Call the Alpha down. Mrs. Linda pulled out all the stops tonight."
I recognized his little ga imdiately.
Ever since the incident with Amara, he’d been trying to redeem himself through these "helpful" nudges that just happened to throw Sebastian and together.
"Fine," I sighed, setting down my book. "I’ll go find him."
Truthfully, I didn’t mind. It was my job, after all--keeping Sebastian on schedule, making sure he rembered basic human functions like eating.
Along the way, I could grab Sawyer too.
Upstairs, I knocked on the door to Sebastian’s study. No answer.
I was about to knock again when the bedroom door swung open and Sebastian erged, dressed in fresh clothes--dark slacks and a charcoal button-down that looked tailored within an inch of its life. Definitely not loungewear.
"Alpha, will you be joining us for dinner?" I asked, keeping my voice carefully neutral.
He adjusted his cuff with practiced ease. "Not tonight. I have a eting."
A brief pause. "Don’t wait up."
"Of course." I stepped aside automatically, making room in the hallway.
Sebastian paused, his eyes lingering on my face a mont longer than necessary.
Sothing in his expression softened.
"Get so rest tonight," he said, his voice low, almost like a secret."The weather here shifts quickly. Take care of yourself."
Then he was gone, moving like a shadow that forgot to make a sound.
I didn’t move. Just stood there, caught in the hush he left behind.
Barely a dozen words--yet sothing had shifted.Since our talk on the plane, even the quiet carried weight.
"Cecilia."The sound of my na snapped out of it.
I turned to find Sawyer watching , his eyes steady, a little too knowing.
"Dinner’s ready," I said, recovering with a smile.
He glanced toward the stairs."Old friend called, heard Alpha was in London. Pretty last-minute."
"I know. He ntioned it," I said, face carefully blank.
Sothing like relief crossed Sawyer’s features. "Good. That’s good. Well, shall we? Mrs. Linda’s cooking is worth experiencing. You should eat while it’s hot."
"Yeah... sure." I followed him, though part of was still upstairs.
Dinner was lavish by any standard--roasted duck with orange glaze, potatoes that lted like butter, and vegetables I couldn’t even na.
Sawyer and I barely made a dent in our plates, but Tang did his part--he was already on his third round before we’d finished our first.
After dinner, I felt restless.
The rain hadn’t stopped all day, and the house felt heavier with every hour that passed.
"I’m going for a walk," I announced.
Tang materialized beside like he’d been summoned. "Great idea. I’ll grab my jacket."
"Tang," I sighed. "I’d like so ti alone."
"Alpha’s orders," he shrugged, already zipping up his weatherproof. "You go out, I follow."
I bit back a retort. So battles weren’t worth fighting.
The evening air hit my face with a crisp bite--London’s signature cocktail of mist and encroaching cold.
I pulled my coat tighter and headed right from the gate, my boots clicking against the wet pavent.
Tang, to his credit, kept a respectful distance.
Just close enough to intervene if needed, just far enough to give the illusion of solitude.
My phone rang, breaking the quiet.
Unknown number.
I declined the call.
It rang again.
I declined again.
By the fourth consecutive ring, irritation flared hot in my chest.
I swiped to answer, ready to verbally eviscerate whoever was on the other end.
"Who is this and what part of ’not answering’ wasn’t clear?" I snapped.
A brief silence, then a familiar voice. "Soone’s touchy tonight. I knew all that calm this morning was just an act. Sebastian’s out eting his precious Evelyn, and you’re not happy about it, are you?"
Amara. Of course.
I stopped walking, my stomach dropping like an elevator with cut cables.
"Evelyn?" I frowned. "How do you even know he’s out? Are you having him followed?"
"Never mind how I know," she purred. "Just tell --he’s gone out without you, hasn’t he?"
"Yes, he’s out," I admitted.
Her laugh was sharp, triumphant. "I knew it. The second he lands in London, he runs straight to Evelyn. And let guess--he didn’t tell you the truth about where he was going, did he? Oh Cecilia, we’re both just pawns in his ga."
I couldn’t help the dry laugh that escaped . "Seriously? Your attempt at manipulation is about as subtle as a neon sign. You struck out, so now you’re tag-teaming with so mystery woman?"
"You’re right about one thing--he definitely sent away on purpose. But don’t think that ans you’ve won."
I exhaled slowly, suddenly tired.
"This isn’t a competition, Amara. There’s no prize--especially not him."
"I’m not interested in playing, so stop showing up like I’m your rival."
I hung up and blocked her number in one smooth motion.
--
Miles away, in a stone castle surrounded by ancient oaks, Amara sat alone in an opulent room, nursing her third glass of whiskey.
She stared at her phone, cursing when she realized Cecilia had blocked her. She was contemplating her next move when headlights swept across her window--a black sedan winding up the long drive, bearing a nervous-looking woman whose hands trembled against the leather seat.
--
After Amara’s call, the weight in my chest crystallized into a cold, jagged knot.
I found a bench outside a quaint café, its windows glowing a warm amber against the deepening dusk.
I sat there, arms folded tightly across my chest, watching strangers hurry by with their collars turned up against the chill and their eyes fixed on so place more important than here.
Logically, I knew what Amara was doing. To plant doubt the way so people scatter wildflower seeds, hoping sothing invasive took root.
And yet...
I was good at pushing things aside, tucking thoughts into neat boxes.
But so boxes refused to stay shut.
After a few minutes, I stood and headed back. Each step heavier than the last.
At the door, I barely glanced at Tang before slipping past him and heading upstairs.
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