Cecilia
“Not at all excited!” I wanted to scream. What did his dating life have to do with me?
Instead, plastered on my most professional smile and elevated my response to corporate-appropriate platitudes.
“I’m happy for you, Alpha Sebastian. Your happiness is important to Silver Peak Pack.
Everyone is looking forward to you finding your mate.”
Alpha Sebastian shut his laptop, his eyes glinting with amusement. “That was quite the speech, Cecilia. Ever work as a wedding officiant?”
My chest tightened with irritation. The sarcasm was almost suffocating.
Let it go, I told myself. Remember how he helped you this morning.
Everyone has flaws, and his happens to be a razor-sharp tongue. I maintained my smile without responding.
Alpha Sebastian rose and headed for the door. I followed at a respectful distance.
We stepped into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, silence settled between us, heavy and awkward. The kind of silence that filled every inch of space and left no room to breathe.
I kept my eyes on the numbers blinking overhead, counting down the floors like a lifeline.
Then, without warning, a low, pained groan broke the stillness.
Startled, I looked up.
Alpha Sebastian swayed forward slightly, shoulders tense, his hand bracing against the wall. For a split second, I thought he might collapse.
I rushed forward to support him, genuine concern flooding through me. “Alpha Sebastian, what’s wrong?”
He lowered his gaze to meet mine, his expression contorted with what appeared to be unbearable pain. “Did you poison that pin before you stabbed me?” I stared at him in disbelief, so speechless I could have swallowed my own tongue.
“If you’re trying to avoid your arranged mating,” I finally managed, forcing a laugh,
“please don’t use me as your excuse.”
Alpha Sebastian frowned. “Cecilia, I see now that your concern for me is entirely fabricated.”
I remained silent for two beats, then sighed. “I can’t be your shield. If you don’t want to go, talk to your mother yourself. My shift is ending anyway.”
He held my gaze until the elevator doors opened
Then he straightened, resuming his aristocratic bearing as he walked out, murmuring just loudly enough for me to hear, “So determined to send me off to this mating, aren’t you?” [Seriously? How many times did I need to repeat myself? It was his MOTHER’S idea, not mine! Why was he so insistent on making this my responsibility?
Being the boss didn’t give him the right to be unreasonable!]
In the parking garage, Tang was waiting by the car.
Once we were inside, he asked, “Back to the apartment, Alpha Sebastian?”
“No, Alpha Sebastian has a mating arrangement tonight,” | answered, giving him the restaurant address.
Tang’s eyes widened comically in the rearview mirror. “A mating arrangement? And you’re… going with him?”
I simply smiled and gestured for him to drive.
Alpha Sebastian closed his eyes as soon as he settled into the backseat.
His pale, handsome face seemed surrounded by a glacial mist-like a high-class courtesan forced to entertain against his will: mournful, yet unable to refuse.
I felt genuinely helpless.
This morning I had planned to explain things to Wiley, who assured me everything was fine
Yet somehow the gossip had reached Luna Regina and Alpha Yardley, and now we were in this situation.
My phone vibrated.
Harper had sent me an audio recording.
This girl was absolutely eager to share her findings.
I put in my earbuds and pressed play.
*This is from Madam Amber,” Mrs. White’s voice came through, tight and serious. “It’s meant to keep you grounded. Wear it, Cici. Just. wear it.”
Cici scoffed. “That looks like something you’d find at the bottom of a thrift store bargain bin. I’m not wearing it.”
“It’s not about how it looks,” her mother snapped. It’s about protecting you. After what happened with Mason-”
“Oh my God,” Cici cut her off. “Not this again. Mason is dead. That chapter is closed.”

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