Cecilia’s pov
I set down my fork.
Every single person at the table turned to look at in perfect unison.
Sebastian just dropped the "are we official now?" bomb, and his mom probably thought he’d lost his damn mind.
The air went still. Even the clink of cutlery stopped, like the house itself was holding its breath.
Or maybe... was this his twisted idea of scaring off?
"I think..." I began, summoning every ounce of composure I had, doing my best to sound like a rational adult,
"I just think relationships take ti. You don’t really know soone until you’ve gone through the good days, the bad ones, and everything in between. So... yeah. No need to rush."
My voice was steady, but my heart hamred against my ribs. My palms were damp. I folded them in my lap to hide the tremble in my fingers.
The awkwardness was thick enough to spread on toast.
Sebastian’s siblings risked quick glances at his face like they were watching a slow-motion car crash.
Alpha Yardley looked stunned. Luna Regina was still processing.
Sebastian’s expression stayed neutral. Too neutral. He was either deeply insulted or deeply amused.
He kept staring at , dark eyes unreadable.
Zaria clutched York’s arm like she was bracing for an explosion.
York reached for his water glass, probably just to have sothing to do with his hands.
"You like the slow burn, huh?" Sebastian said with a grin."? I’m all about sumr. Let’s fly south in December and chase the sun."
The grin was lazy, downright cocky, like he was enjoying the way I squird. His eyes glead with mischief, and maybe a hint of sothing else.
My brain short-circuited.
What even was that? A joke? A challenge? A proposal disguised as a pickup line?
Seeing my stunned silence, Luna Regina stepped in to smooth things over.
"The southern hemisphere sounds wonderful! You two should go to Australia for New Year’s. It’s settled, then."
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
My face was hot. I wasn’t sure if it was embarrassnt, panic, or the absurdity of being pseudo-engaged in front of a pack of werewolves.
One thought echoed in my head: This is going to co back and bite . Hard.
Sebastian seed particularly pleased with his mother’s reaction.
"Mom, you’re being ridiculously adorable today."
"Don’t be silly," Luna Regina said, waving him off but touching her face self-consciously.
Her cheeks flushed the faintest pink, and she ducked her head like a teenager being teased.
Alpha Yardley glanced at his often-dazed wife.His brow furrowed, but he said nothing.
Zaria and York looked shocked, but they stayed politely quiet.
For a second, it looked like we’d survive one al without drama. The mom was still spaced out, the Alpha kept his distance, and the siblings weren’t getting involved. I was even starting to chill a little.
But then Luna Regina snapped out of her blissful fog and turned sharply to , like a switch had flipped.
"By the way, darling, what’s your na? You were just about to tell earlier, rember?"
My heart clenched.
Around the table, everyone stiffened. It was like soone had pulled the ergency brake.
It felt like gambling in Vegas with a suitcase full of cash. One wrong move, and I could lose everything.
But sooner or later, the truth had to co out.
Sebastian stepped in, voice calm and smooth.
"Seriously, Mom? First you drag her in, then you interrogate her, and now you want her whole backstory? You’re actually scary."
Luna Regina laughed lightly.
"I’m just asking her na! She was about to say it earlier."
Sebastian countered smoothly,
"She was just being polite. She never took credit for helping you. That shows she’s humble. She’s not hiding anything, she just likes to keep things private."
Luna Regina opened her mouth to reply, but he kept going.
"Let’s not rush it. Let her eat in peace. Next ti, we’ll invite her over properly, and once she’s comfortable, she’ll share whatever she wants."
Luna Regina blinked, clearly confused.
I caught the key phrases: next ti, their ho, invite...
There was going to be a next ti? ! Oh no. I couldn’t keep sneaking around like so mystery guest star.
Better to rip the Band-Aid off now.
It’s okay," I said quickly. "I don’t mind sharing my na, ma’am."
"Miss! "
Alpha Yardley’s voice cut across the room like a whip.
I jumped, nearly flinging my napkin into my water glass.
Seriously? Jump scare during dinner?
He cleared his throat, then gave a slow, aningful look.
"There’s no rush," he said, voice suddenly calm but firm. "Nas aren’t important right now. What matters is presence. Energy. Intention."
What? Was he quoting a self-help book?
"For now," he continued, "let’s just go with... Green."
Green?
That wasn’t even a na. That was a color.
"Green works," York said quickly, shooting a look that scread just go with it.
"It’s kind of cool," Zaria added, way too cheerfully."Like a code na. Very spy movie."
"Green," Sebastian repeated, smiling like he was in on so private joke.
I blinked, torn between confusion and laughter.
Luna Regina didn’t seem suspicious, just vaguely amused. "Green?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It’s fresh. Honest. Uncomplicated," Alpha Yardley said smoothly. "And she’s wearing green, aren’t you?"
I looked down. I was.
Lucky coincidence? Or deliberate misdirection?
Either way, I nodded and smiled. "Green it is."
One thought echoed in my head:
This is either genius... or the weirdest dinner of my life.
My scalp tingled.
That nickna was going to haunt .
Then, as if she’d just rembered sothing, Zaria added:
"Oh! We’re doing a family retreat this weekend. Just so hiking, a little ditation, and clearing our heads. You should co. After what happened with my mom, you could use so good vibes."
That triggered Luna Regina’s mory.
"Yes! You must co, Green. Bring those two girls with you. We’ll go reconnect with nature and clear the bad energy. It’ll be fun! "
Fun? A weekend in the woods with the Black family and a na tag that said ‘Green’? My soul left my body.
I glanced at my watch, desperate for an excuse.
"I gotta work this weekend," I said as I stood up. "Thanks, everyone. I’m gonna head out."
I didn’t wait for replies. I was halfway to the door before anyone could blink.
"Wait, Green! I don’t have your number! " Luna Regina called after .
But I was already gone.Like a gust of wind with social anxiety.
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