Cecilia’s pov
After twenty minutes of tense silence and too much eye contact with Evelyn, the carriage finally slowed to a stop. I could’ve kissed the ground.
I was the first one out, gathering my dress as I stepped down. Looking up, I froze.
The gothic castle lood ahead, its towers piercing the thick sky, backlit by warm yellow light that made the storm clouds above look even darker.
It looked like the kind of place where billionaires host masquerades... or where old-world wolves hold court.
We followed our guide through a massive arched entryway.
A narrow suspension bridge stretched out before us, lanterns flickering to life one by one as we crossed.
The bridge creaked faintly with every step, swaying just enough to remind us we weren’t on solid ground anymore--in any sense.
Once across, the double doors opened into a grand foyer that was both antiquated and opulent. Vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, marble so polished I could see my own nerves reflecting back at .
More guests filtered in behind us as we stepped into the main ballroom.
Then I saw him.
Sebastian.
Still as ever. Sharp eyes, perfect posture, and sohow pulling focus without even trying.
And that suit--deep violet velvet. Regal, expensive... and honestly? Kind of absurd.
An older woman approached him, chatting politely. He nodded once, then turned slightly--his gaze sweeping the entrance like instinct.
Then he saw .
His eyes locked on mine. The shift was instant. Shock.
He was coming.
And he did not look happy.
I stood quietly, waiting for him. His cold expression didn’t intimidate in the slightest.
Tang excitedly bounded forward to et Sebastian.
"Alpha, I made it!" he announced proudly.
Sebastian’s expression darkened instantly--like soone had just handed him an unmarked box labeled’chaos.’
His voice was low and dangerous. "What exactly did I tell you to do?"
"If you’re angry, just hit ."
Tang opened his jacket dramatically, exposing his chest like he was in so kind of gangster drama.
"Go on. I can take it."
Sebastian’s brow furrowed, sharp and deliberate.
His jaw tightened once, then again, like he was holding sothing back.
He didn’t say a word, but his silence carried enough judgnt to make the air feel heavier.
His gaze moved past and landed on Sawyer, who was half-hidden behind my shoulder.
"Get over here. Now."
Sawyer looked like he might cry. I knew this would happen!
He didn’t move, using as a human shield while frantically trying to explain to Sebastian,"I tried to stop this, I swear! But they wouldn’t listen!"
"Co here," Sebastian said, utterly calm. "Let’s talk. I won’t hit you."
Yeah, that’s what villains say right before they snap your kneecaps.
Sawyer shot a desperate look that scread : You dragged us into this, and now I’m the one about to get executed? Fix this!
I gave him a small, reassuring nod.
Then I stepped forward, lifting my chin, voice steady.
"It’s not Tang’s or Sawyer’s fault. I forced them to bring . So... if soone needs to be punished, let it be ."
I extended my hand, palm up, like a challenge.
Sebastian’s expression softened. A faint smile appeared.
We locked eyes.
Then he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. His expression still cool, but noticeably softer.
"I should be furious," he said, voice low. "But then you show up in my clothes, looking like that, and suddenly I forget why."
I blinked. "You’re seriously blaming the outfit?"
He gave a slow, dramatic once-over. "It’s highly distracting."
I bit back a laugh and tugged the jacket tighter around .
"So what now? Am I your accidental date?"
"Accidental implies I didn’t want it to happen," he said. "You’re with tonight. Own it."
I glanced around. A few guests were already sneaking glances, whispering.
"People are definitely watching."
"Good," he said, offering his arm like this was all perfectly choreographed. "Let them."
I went silent.
The other two didn’t dare say a word either.
Author’s pov
Their other teammate, Evelyn, had already slipped into the crowd the second they entered the ballroom--dodging Sebastian’s fury with the ease of soone who’d done it a hundred tis before.
She reappeared minutes later, heels tapping softly against the polished floor.
Her gaze landed on her fiancé, Vance, standing stiffly apart from the group--arms crossed, jaw clenched.
His eyes flicked to Cecilia, lingering a beat too long on Sebastian’s jacket draped over her shoulders.
"Isn’t she adorable?" Evelyn said lightly, as if she hadn’t just ghosted the aftermath of a near ltdown.
Vance shot her a look that could freeze champagne.
"Why did you even bring her? She’s just stirring up trouble."
"Oh, co on," she said, slipping her arm through his with theatrical sweetness. "Interrupting your little Sebastian fantasy, am I?"
"We’re just friends," he snapped. Too fast.
Unfazed, Evelyn tilted his chin up with two fingers. "Please. I know that face. That’s your jealous-and-sulky look."
Vance scoffed. "I’m not jealous. I just don’t think your girl knows what she’s doing. She’s walking into this whole thing blind."
That earned him a slow, razor-edged smile.
Her grip on his jaw tightened, just enough to make him flinch.
"Call my girl clueless again," she said softly, "and you’ll be sleeping on the floor. With a black eye."
He winced. "Okay, okay. Jesus."
"Don’t push ." She patted his cheek lightly--though the impact felt less like affection and more like a warning.
Then, just like that, she smiled brightly and tugged him back toward the group, as if none of it had happened.
They’d known each other since they were kids.
On paper, the engagent made sense--high society pedigree, perfectly balanced legacies.
Evelyn’s family had old European titles and new tech money. Vance’s family had legacy wealth and political clout. A headline-ready match.
Of course, things were rarely that tidy.
The "princess" preferred soft, seductive won. The "prince" leaned toward tall, emotionally distant n.
But sohow, it worked.
Toxic, maybe. But functional.
After giving her fiancé a quick attitude adjustnt, Evelyn tugged him toward the group with a dazzling smile.
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