Cecilia’s pov
Xavier kept his head down, not speaking.
His hand rose slowly.
"Alpha Xavier, don’t you dare!" I exclaid instinctively, reaching to stop him.
If he struck Alpha Sebastian, rumors would spread that Alpha Sebastian was attacked because of .
I’d be branded as the human howrecker who caused conflict between two powerful Alphas. The Silver Peak Pack would tear apart.
Xavier’s hand froze mid-air.
He turned to look at , his eyes swimming with heartbreak and betrayal.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
Seriously? We signed divorce papers yesterday and he’s acting like I’ve committed so great betrayal? Does he have selective amnesia?
Xavier’s bitter smile spoke volus about his wounded pride.
I returned it with a fake smile of my own.
Our silent communication spoke volus.
He was trying to play the victim.
I’d grown immune to his manipulation.
Xavier turned back to face the table.
The tension in the room was palpable—everyone poised to intervene if violence erupted.
But instead of throwing a punch, he placed his hand on the table, rotated the lazy susan, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a glass.
Alpha Sebastian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Alpha Sebastian, I apologize for my lack of sincerity earlier," Xavier said smoothly. "I’ll punish myself with three drinks."
He poured himself a shot and downed it in one gulp.
Then a second. Then a third.
Everyone at the table watched in shock.
But as everyone marveled at Xavier’s apparent business acun, sothing seed off.
He’d said three drinks as punishnt, but he was now on his seventh.
"That’s enough."
"Alpha Xavier, you’ve had more than three."
"Soone take that bottle away from him!"
The protests ca from all sides.
Anyone who tried to take the glass was either pushed away or cowed by Xavier’s intimidating glare.
Alpha Sebastian gave a cold laugh. "Alpha Xavier would make an excellent tragic actor."
Xavier didn’t respond, continuing to drink.
When he’d emptied the bottle, he looked up. "Are you satisfied with my apology, Alpha Sebastian? If not, should I get on my knees next?"
"Still playing the victim, I see," Alpha Sebastian remarked coolly.
Suddenly, Xavier swayed.
He tilted backward—straight toward .
I just got up and held him, knowing his werewolf bulk would crush if he fell on .
Xavier smoothly turned in my arms.
"Go sit down!" I hissed, glaring at him.
If he wanted to make a fool of himself, fine, but I refused to be part of his spectacle.
Xavier’s face contorted in apparent pain as he wrapped an arm around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder.
"My stomach hurts," he groaned.
I wanted to punch him.
I tugged at the arm encircling my waist.
"If your stomach hurts, go to a hospital. I’m not a doctor. Let go!"
Xavier conveniently went deaf.
He just moaned pitifully.
The room fell into awkward silence.
Was he really pulling this stunt?
Everyone seed stunned by his audacity.
Alpha Sebastian’s handso face darkened with frost.
Without a word, he stood and stepped forward, gripping Xavier’s hand from the side and forcefully pulling it away from my waist. "I’ll help you," he said flatly.
"I don’t want your help!" Xavier snarled, angrily batting away Sebastian’s hand.
The mont I was free, I bolted from the room, not caring what anyone thought of my hasty retreat.
Author’s pov
Alpha Xavier moved to follow Cecilia, but Alpha Sebastian blocked his path.
As Alpha Xavier’s rage, fueled by alcohol, threatened to erupt toward Alpha Sebastian, Alpha Gavin quickly intervened, grabbing his arm.
"Alpha Xavier, you’re drunk!" Gavin exclaid, trying to defuse the situation.
Remy’s face grew serious. "Alpha Xavier is clearly too intoxicated to continue our business discussion. Alpha Gavin, perhaps you should take him sowhere to rest."
The ssage was clear: get him out.
Alpha Gavin, realizing the eting was effectively over, hurriedly addressed Alpha Sebastian. "Alpha Sebastian, we’ll schedule another ti to et."
Alpha Sebastian neither agreed nor disagreed.
Instead, he said with mock concern, "Alpha Xavier seems quite unwell. I can recomnd a doctor—I’ll send you the contact information."
Alpha Gavin imdiately agreed.
Whether Alpha Sebastian actually recomnded a doctor wasn’t the point.
What mattered was that Alpha Sebastian was willing to maintain contact, aning there was still hope for their business arrangent.
Alpha Sebastian added Gavin’s number to his phone.
As Gavin dragged the volatile Alpha Xavier from the room, his phone pinged with a ssage.
It was a ssage from Alpha Sebastian—just a photo of a business card: Chief Psychiatrist, Denver Behavioral Health Center.
Gavin stared at it for a second, then sighed.
Was this a suggestion? A warning? Or both?
How was he supposed to salvage this situation?
If he’d known his sister’s affair with Alpha Xavier would create such a black hole of complications, he would have done everything to prevent it from the beginning.
Once outside the private dining room, Alpha Xavier shook off Alpha Gavin’s supporting hand and walked away on his own.
His steps were steady, showing no signs of drunkenness.
Alpha Gavin stared after him, dumbfounded.
So he’d been completely sober, purely putting on an act.
Cecilia’s pov
I hid in the ladies’ restroom, trying to compose myself.
I’d fled because I knew my presence was only making things worse.
Without there as a target, Xavier might calm down.
I just hoped Alpha Sebastian wouldn’t get hurt by that unstable wolf...
After a few minutes, I cautiously stepped out and peered down the hallway.
To my alarm, I spotted Xavier and Alpha Gavin approaching with their entourage. I quickly ducked back into the restroom.
The hallway was long, and their footsteps grew louder as they approached.
Suddenly, a phone rang, followed by Alpha Gavin’s urgent voice.
Within seconds, another phone rang—Xavier answering this ti.
Their voices overlapped in a chaotic jumble that suggested sothing unexpected and troubleso had occurred.
I couldn’t make out exactly what they were discussing through the door.
Once I was certain they’d gone, I made my way back to the private dining room.
The al was concluding.
As everyone stood to leave, Remy expressed various apologies before adding, "The Phase One inspection at Devil’s Thumb Ranch is next Wednesday. If your schedule permits, perhaps you’d join us there?"
Alpha Sebastian nodded. "I’m aware. I’ve already made arrangents."
Remy patted his chest with apparent satisfaction. "Good. We’ll see you there."
Alpha Sebastian politely said goodbye and led and Beta Sawyer out.
Vice President Wiley stayed behind, still talking with Remy.
In the hallway outside, Alpha Sebastian removed his suit jacket and handed it to Sawyer. "Throw this away."
"Yes, Alpha Sebastian," Beta Sawyer replied without hesitation.
I bit back a smile. Alpha Sebastian really was serious about contamination.
The three of us left the restaurant and returned to the car to head back to the company.
As we drove, I couldn’t help wondering what urgent situation had arisen for Xavier and Alpha Gavin in the hallway.
Whatever it was had certainly seed serious...
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