Abandoned Luna Now Untouchable (Cecilia) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149 Zane Locke

Cecilia

I ended the call, turned around–and nearly collided with a man who clearly had no concept of

personal space.

Which was odd, because I could’ve sworn I saw him walk past just a minute ago.

Now he was standing there like a ghost waiting for his cue in a very awkward off–Broadway show.

“Uh, can I help you?” I asked, polite but wary.

I did a quick mental scan of his face and came up blank.

No recognition.

Nothing.

He just stared at me. Hard. Like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve using only vibes.

Then, in a whisper so faint I almost missed it, he said, “Rebecca…”

Okay. Creepy.

“Sir?” I tried again, injecting some steel into my voice. “Is there something you need?”

That seemed to snap him out of it.

He blinked, cleared his throat like a man who’d just realized he was being weird in public. “Sorry. It’s my first time here. Bit turned around. I saw you and thought maybe you could help.”

“Sure,” I said, keeping my tone friendly but alert. “This place is a maze. Which private dining room

are you trying to find?”

“1623.”

“Take that hallway“-I pointed-“third door on the right. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” he said, nodding like an actual normal human for a second.

He turned to go. I exhaled.

Then he stopped.

Of course he did.

“Sorry, but… are you from Denver?”

“Yes,” I said slowly, already regretting my honesty.

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He paused. Tilted his head. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Okay. We were officially off the map now.

+25 Points

“I do mind, actually,” I said sharply. “And I think your dinner guests are probably wondering where

you went. You should go.”

His expression shifted–remorseful, maybe, or just socially clumsy. “Please don’t misunderstand. I

had a daughter once. She passed… a long time ago. But if she’d lived, I imagine she’d look a lot like

you. Beautiful. Graceful.”

What the actual hell?

I stared at him, caught somewhere between horror and secondhand embarrassment. My brain

short–circuited in twelve directions at once.

Nope.

No thank you.

Hard pass.

Without another word, I turned and walked away.

If he said anything else, I didn’t hear it. I was too busy mentally Googling “How to sage yourself

after unsolicited ghost dad energy.”

I didn’t care who he was. As far as I was concerned, he was just another middle–aged man using

the tragic–dead–daughter–card as a weird excuse to ask a young woman inappropriate questions in

the middle of a restaurant hallway.

Classic.

I turned on my heel and speed–walked back toward the private dining room we’d reserved–ready to erase the past five minutes from my mental hard drive–when I nearly collided with someone

rounding the corner.

Alpha Yardley.

Otherwise known as Sebastian’s father, the original tall–dark–Alpha prototype.

“Alpha Yardley,” I said, straightening up and shifting into Professional Secretary ModeTM

“Secretary Moore,” he greeted me with that perfect blend of authority and charm, like a man who could close a business deal and host a charity gala in the same breath.

I’d seen him around the company a few times–always sharp, always composed. And despite all the speculative office gossip about me and his son (thank you, local grapevine), he’d never so

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much as hinted at it.

+25 Points

Before I could make a graceful exit, the sound of approaching footsteps made my stomach drop.

No. No no no.

Creepy Dead–Daughter Guy had followed me.

“Yardley,” he said with sudden confidence, like he’d just remembered how to be important. “You

know this young lady?”

“She’s Sebastian’s secretary,” Alpha Yardley replied smoothly, before turning to me. “Secretary

Moore, this is Zane Locke. He’s the current head of the Locke family.”

My brain short–circuited.

Zane Locke?

As in… Cassian’s “great–uncle“?.

The same family whose member was supposedly helping the Whites?

And I just twenty minutes ago had been on the phone dragging his wife’s name through the

metaphorical mud like I was auditioning for a Real Housewives confessional.

Amazing. Just amazing.

I turned back to him, instantly snapping into my most polished, boardroom–ready persona.

“Mr. Locke, it’s a pleasure to meet you properly,” I said with a smile that screamed damage control.

“I apologize if I came off abrupt earlier.”

Zane Locke waved a hand dismissively, suddenly all gracious statesman. “Not at all. I should

apologize for my… inappropriate questions. I wasn’t myself.”

Understatement of the year.

“Truly, no offense taken,” I said smoothly, even as my brain was screaming, Abort mission! Save

yourself!

I turned back to Alpha Yardley. “I won’t keep you, sir. I should get back to my table.”

But of course, the universe wasn’t done toying with me.

“No need,” Yardley said with a smile. “I’ll call Sebastian to join us here. You should come with us.”

“… Of course,” I replied, voice calm, soul internally combusting.

And that’s how I found myself walking into private dining room 1623 with the literal patriarch of

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the Locke family and the father of my boss–s***h–maybe–love–interest.

As I sat down, I couldn’t help feeling completely out of place.

+25 Points

“Secretary Moore,” Zane Locke addressed me, “what’s your full name? Do you have a mate?”

I nearly choked. Now that I knew his position, I couldn’t just ignore him.

“My name is Cecilia Moore,” I replied, deliberately avoiding his second question.

Zane Locke nodded approvingly. “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. You have both grace

and intelligence–quite rare these days.”

“You’re too kind,” I murmured, taking a sip of tea to hide

my discomfort.

I could feel his eyes still studying me, and it took all my self–control not to squirm under his gaze.

Alpha Yardley’s expression shifted subtly as he watched our interaction.

“Secretary Moore,” Zane Locke continued, “are you seeing anyone? My nephew is still without a

mate…”

I nearly spit out my tea.

The door opened, saving me from having to respond.

Alpha Sebastian and Cassian walked in, just in time to hear Zane’s matchmaking attempt.

I whipped my head around, looking from Alpha Sebastian to Cassian, acutely aware of how bizarre

this situation had become.

Alpha Yardley nodded toward the newcomers, his expression growing more serious as he looked

at Cassian. “Alpha Sebastian, come greet your Uncle Zane.”

Alpha Sebastian approached politely, addressing him with a respectful “Mr. Locke.”

In stark contrast, Cassian bounded over with casual familiarity. “Uncle Yardley! It’s been too long-