Cecilia’s pov
The morning had started off normally enough.
Sebastian and I were getting ready to head out when my phone rang.
It was my mom, calling about my grandmother’s surprise visit.
"Mom," I answered, stepping away from Sebastian for a little privacy.
"Cece, your grandmother decided to co visit today. Can you help pick her up?"
Her voice had that unmistakable tone moms use when they’re not really asking.
"Today? Why didn’t you tell earlier? I already have plans."
"Work?" she asked, sounding disappointed.
"Not exactly. I’m going to the forest with Harper and the others. How about I arrange transportation for Grandma and co straight to your place when I get back tonight?"
"Fine. Your grandmother and I will wait for you at ho. Bring Harper and..." she paused aningfully, "Alpha Sebastian. Bring him to dinner."
"What?"
I stood frozen after ending the call, drifting back toward Sebastian in a daze.
What did your mom say that left you looking like you just saw a ghost?" Sebastian asked, tapping my nose playfully.
I stared at him, still trying to process.
"My grandmother’s visiting. And my mom just invited you to dinner."
Sebastian’s eyes lit up like soone had handed him a trophy. He gently pinched my cheek, looking far too pleased with himself.
"I wouldn’t miss it."
"It might be a setup," I warned, trying to keep him from getting too smug. "Don’t get ahead of yourself."
Sebastian smiled with unshakable confidence.
"I’d show up even if your family greeted with pitchforks."
I rolled my eyes at Sebastian.
He caught my look, his eyes narrowing with amusent.
"Am I that handso?"
"Yes. Very handso," I muttered. Then added under my breath,
"How else could you get away with this kind of trickery?"
He heard it. Of course he did.
Sebastian’s eyes crinkled with amusent as he leaned in, close enough to steal a kiss.
"I don’t pull tricks on just anyone."
The air felt charged. He was so close, and I couldn’t help leaning in too.
Then the elevator doors slid open on the twentieth floor.
Xavier stood there, looking like he’d spent the night in a at locker. He stepped in without a word, and the temperature dropped ten degrees.
How the hell did he know exactly when we’d be coming down?
Had he been lurking outside our door all morning?
"Good morning," he said with forced casualness."Where are you two headed?"
I pressed my fingers against my forehead, already feeling the start of a headache.
Sebastian responded smoothly, like he was chatting with a neighbor in the lobby.
"Heading into the forest. Want a hiking too, Alpha Xavier ?"
Xavier’s brow twitched.
"Forest?" His eyes flicked to , loaded with silent judgnt.
His look practically scread: [You’re really going through with this? Don’t be ridiculous.]
I turned away, refusing to acknowledge it.
When the elevator reached the garage, Harper and Yvonne were already waiting in the car.
We’d switched to a larger SUV for today’s trip, given the size of our group.
Even Yvonne had dressed for the occasion: breezy outdoorsy chic, which sohow still managed to look flirtatious on her.
Harper, ever practical, wore a simple button-up and jeans, her face bare of makeup.
Yvonne was in the front seat. Harper was in the back.
When they saw Xavier and the two of us walk out of the elevator together, they both stared.
Total confusion. And way too much curiosity. Yvonne tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
"Wait a second. Are you guys... roommates now or sothing?"
Given that it wasn’t even 7: 30 a.m. and the three of us had just exited the sa building and elevator, there were only so many conclusions one could draw.
Harper sighed."Xavier lives on the twentieth floor."
Yvonne raised a brow, her voice teasing. "Sounds like a very cozy floor."
I quickened my pace and slipped into the backseat beside Harper.
Sebastian and Xavier continued walking side by side toward the car, talking in low tones before naturally parting ways.
Sebastian got in beside and told Tang,"Drive."
As we pulled out of the garage, I glanced through the rear window.
Xavier got into his own car and started following us.
Left when we turned left. Right when we turned right.
"Is he... following us?" Harper asked, half-laughing, half-concerned.
Sebastian chuckled."It’s not stalking. He’s just... following."
"I don’t care what you call it! " I snapped. "Is he seriously planning to trail us all the way into the woods? Has he lost his mind?"
"Don’t worry about him," Sebastian said, perfectly calm.
"What if he snaps?"
"We talked earlier. He promised not to interfere. He just enjoys torturing himself.
It’s a personal hobby, apparently."
His tone was oddly sympathetic, like he was describing a heartbroken dog instead of a grown man.
Harper gave him a long look, clearly unsure which of the two n was more unhinged.
Yvonne covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She looked at Sebastian in the rearview mirror.
"My, Alpha Sebastian , you’re practically glowing with empathy.
Alpha Xavier is lucky to have you watching over his emotional spiral."
Sebastian t her sarcasm with a cool glance.
After nearly three hours on the road, we finally arrived at the cable car station at the mountain base.
The Black family’s private cars had already been waiting for over half an hour.
Despite the blazing sun, the exclusive resort area was nearly empty.
Sebastian led us into the VIP reception lounge, where the rest of the Black family waited.
"You’ve arrived! " Luna Regina stood to greet us, taking my hands warmly before turning to chat with Harper and Yvonne.
The scene was surprisingly wholeso. Everyone from the family had shown up—except Alpha Yardley, who had urgent matters to attend to. Even Zaria had cleared her schedule to be here.
After enjoying so chilled coffe and a few pleasantries, it was ti to board the cable cars.
Zaria leaned in toward Sebastian.
"Sebastian , we still have to hike after the cable car ride. In this heat? Is Mom going to be okay?"
Sebastian smirked. "Sounds like you’re the one worried about the hike."
"Not true! " she shot back instantly.
"Do you have a map?" he asked.
"What map? I couldn’t even find one. If Mom gets tired, you and York can carry her."
Tang, who had been quietly listening, chid in from the side.
"No need. I can carry Luna Regina myself. As for Mr. York..." He paused, deadpan.
"He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t pass out halfway up."
I covered my mouth to hide a smile. Tang clearly had little patience for York’s drama.
We split into three cable cars for the ride up.
I ended up with Zaria and Tang.
As we floated above the treetops, Zaria squinted at the cable car behind us.
"Hey... who’s that following us?"
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