Cecilia’s pov
Alpha Sebastian’s mockery grew more pronounced. "Isn’t his awakening coming a bit too late?"
Cassian laughed. "Late doesn’t even begin to cover it. If there truly is an afterlife, when they reunite—mother and both children—they’d be justified in tearing him apart piece by piece."
"Why wait for him at all? Why give him any chance for redemption?" Alpha Sebastian asked coldly.
Cassian fell silent.
Their conversation shifted to matters concerning the Shadow Pack and the Locke family. I could only catch fragnts, leaving with an incomplete understanding.
The Locke family...
I knew very little about Colorado Springs or the Locke family, except that they were the region’s most prominent family.
So Mrs. White had connections even here.
And from what I gathered, Cassian’s aunt held a central role in the Locke family... sothing akin to Snow White’s wicked stepmother.
But if the relationship between these female cousins was so solid, why hadn’t Mrs. White sought help earlier?
I hadn’t forgotten how Alpha Gavin had been practically groveling at that restaurant last week.
Alpha Sebastian’s voice carried over from the dining table again.
"You might as well wait and see. If Mrs. White truly made this trip just to seek help with Shadow Pack’s current troubles, rely bringing problems won’t earn her mountains of gold and silver."
"What could the Shadow Pack possibly offer her?" Cassian’s tone dripped with disdain.
"That depends on what she wants. If she can’t give your aunt exactly what she desires, then Mrs. White’s trip will be wasted. But if it’s not wasted..." Alpha Sebastian’s fingers traced small circles on the table. "Then you’ll need to be careful."
Alpha Sebastian continued with a warning, "Sothing the Shadow Pack alone can’t provide might be possible if combined with what the Blood Moon Pack offers."
"Didn’t those two packs have a falling out?"
"You don’t think they might be desperate enough to try anything?"
"Being born into the Locke family is fucking exhausting. Talk about terrible karma. Day after day, I’m the one playing the survival ga! This whole heir business—whoever wants it can have it. I couldn’t care less!"
Alpha Sebastian said sympathetically. "Right. Your dream was to beco a wild man in the Amazon. I rember."
Cassian laughed incredulously. "Fuck! I said that when I was six, and you still rember it! Your love for truly runs deep!"
Hearing them start to flirt with each other, I withdrew my attention.
The Blood Moon Pack and Shadow Pack joining forces?
I pressed my lips together thoughtfully while popping a piece of honeydew lon into my mouth.
Having finished the fruit platter, I sat for a while until I needed to use the restroom.
I stood up quietly and slipped into the private bathroom attached to the suite.
Author
Alpha Sebastian noticed the mont Cecilia stood up.
He watched as she tiptoed to the bathroom, finding her cautious movents amusing.
"Your eyes might as well be glued to her," Cassian remarked.
Alpha Sebastian reluctantly looked away.
Cassian asked, "Do you really like her?"
"Yes," Alpha Sebastian replied simply.
Knowing what Cassian would ask next, he automatically added, "I’ve tried. She doesn’t feel the sa way."
Cassian’s expression transford from shock to disbelief.
He suppressed a laugh. "Wait—so you actually confessed, and she turned you down? Damn. Secretary Cecilia ’s got worse taste than I thought."
He gave Alpha Sebastian a playful shove."Don’t worry, man. I’ll schedule her an eye exam. Once she sees clearly, she’ll realize what a catch our sweet, emotionally-repressed Alpha Sebastian really is."
"I can’t believe this happened to you. I need to rember this miraculous day: June 10th, Alpha Sebastian Black got rejected. Tell the details—how did she turn you down? Was it brutal? You didn’t cry, did you?"
"If you feel like crying now, my shoulder is available."
He was having the ti of his life teasing Alpha Sebastian.
This was truly a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity.
Alpha Sebastian narrowed his cold eyes at him. "Want to find out what happens if I cut out your tongue?"
When Cecilia erged from the bathroom, they had relocated from the dining table to the sofas.
Earlier, when they’d first entered, Alpha Sebastian had imdiately covered her eyes and pushed her away.
Now, seeing Cassian up close, she offered a polite greeting to make up for her earlier lack of introduction, "Nice to et you, Mr. Cassian."
"Hello, Secretary Cecilia," Cassian responded with a brilliant smile, patting the space beside him. "Co sit with ."
Alpha Sebastian stared at him, his eyes radiating enough cold fury to freeze Cassian solid.
Cecilia smiled apologetically. "I’m fine standing."
"Standing is so tiring. Sit down," Cassian beckoned again.
"...Alright." Having no choice, she complied.
Of course, she didn’t actually sit next to Cassian but found a spot near Alpha Sebastian instead.
Cassian sat with his legs crossed, lounging in his chair with his body completely relaxed, giving off an air of casual indifference.
"You feel... weirdly familiar," he said, looking at her curiously.
"Like I’ve t you before. Or maybe we’re distant cousins or sothing."
He laughed, brushing it off. "Nah, probably just one of those faces."
Cecilia managed a polite nod, though inwardly she blinked.
[Why not make your grandmother while you’re at it? ] she thought dryly.
Still, she kept her smile in place.
Cassian Locke was well-connected—and more importantly, Alpha Sebastian’s friend.
No point in making enemies out of eccentric millionaires.
"You’re too kind, Mr. Locke," she said, voice smooth as porcelain.
"Mr. Locke?" He gave an exaggerated wince. "That makes sound like I’m your father’s golf buddy. Just call Cassian. Or—" he waggled his brows, "—honorary cousin."
Alpha Sebastian shifted slightly, as if ready to cut in—but paused when he heard her reply:
"Cassian it is, then."She smiled sweetly, the kind of smile that could slice fruit.
Alpha Sebastian’s gaze flicked to her face. You adapt frighteningly well, he thought.
"Perfect!" Cassian bead. "Now, if you ever find a mate, make sure to bring him ho to Cassian. I’ll vet him properly and throw in a wedding gift. I’m very generous with my fake relatives."
Cecilia kept smiling.[This man needs professional help, she concluded. Possibly a CAT scan.]
By the ti they left the club, it was already 9 PM.
Cassian insisted on dragging Alpha Sebastian to his winery for more entertainnt.
Alpha Sebastian declined: "I need to return to Denver."
"Who’s waiting for you in Denver, huh?" Cassian said, casually throwing an arm around Alpha Sebastian’s shoulders. "What’s the rush? Just crash here tonight, leave in the morning."
He leaned in with a mischievous grin and lowered his voice.
"The night’s still young. I could totally accidentally set the mood for you and your girl. Little candlelight, maybe a locked door... you know, fate stuff."
"Not necessary."
"...What good is just confessing? Without taking action, how will you make her fall for you!"
Alpha Sebastian rely smiled without responding.
Cecilia watched the two with a blank stare.[If this bromance gets any deeper, I’m gonna need to buy Alpha Sebastian a tiara and call him sis-in-law.]
No, no, this scenario was completely unacceptable!
How was each n more dominant than the last?
And most disturbingly, why did these two tall n look so good together?
Alpha Sebastian pushed Cassian’s arm away. "Not staying. Next ti."
Seeing Alpha Sebastian’s determination to leave, Cassian didn’t press further. "Fine, next ti I’ll co visit you in Denver." Then he turned to Cecilia with a mischievous wink. "Little sister, next ti co with your mate, okay?"
Cecilia: Why did that sound so suggestive?
"Sure," she replied with a polite smile.
Alpha Sebastian and Cecilia got into the car.
The journey from the club to the airport, plus the flight itself, ant they wouldn’t arrive until the middle of the night.
Cecilia felt like she’d slept less than a chicken and worked harder than a dog these past couple of days. Both her body and mind had been seriously depleted.
Once on the plane, seeing nothing else to do, she settled into a seat toward the back and closed her eyes for a brief rest.
"Cecilia, would you like sothing to eat?" Alpha Sebastian asked.
After receiving no response for so ti, he turned to look and found her already asleep in her seat.
He stood up, grabbed a blanket, and walked over to drape it carefully over her.
As he was about to stand up straight, his gaze fell upon her pink lips...
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