Abandoned Luna Now Untouchable (Cecilia) novel Chapter 31

Cecilia

I stifled the cough rising in my throat, pressing a hand to my mouth.

Then I turned and fled-quiet as I could, but not nearly quiet enough.

The deck was carpeted, yes, but even that couldn’t fully muffle hurried footsteps.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian start to move-his head turned sharply, as if he’d caught the sound of my retreat.

I didn’t wait to find out.

By the time he looked, I was already gone.

raced away, heart hammering against my ribs. Seeing the Alpha with his arms around another woman sent a strange pang through my chest that I refused to acknowledge.

Back at the card room, I quickly slipped into a seat beside Sawyer. Though I’d considered finding somewhere else to hide, I wasn’t sure if Sebastian had spotted me. If he returned and I wasn’t here, he’d immediately know who’d interrupted them.

The card room was the safest option.

“Alpha Sebastian, you’re back,” Beta Sawyer said, his relief palpable as Sebastian entered the room shortly after.

I’d noticed how tense Beta Sawyer had been while playing-the way his shoulders had /tightened when I’d considered going all-in.

Beta Sawyer stood up immediately.

I hurried to my feet as well.

“Stay seated,” Sebastian said coolly, his voice carrying that unmistakable Alpha command that made my wolf instinctively lower her head.

“. what?” I hesitated, half-rising. “I should go check on Ms. Amara.”

“She’s resting in her room. Your presence isn’t required.” His tone carried a note of displeasure./ watched Sebastian take his seat, confusion filling my mind. Why was he upset that i’d offered to check on Amara?

Unless…

Had he misinterpreted when I put my arm around Amara earlier? Did he think I was making a move on her? That was ridiculous-l wasn’t interested in women, especially not his apparent mate! How could he think that?

“Looks like Sawyer has the lucky streak tonight,” Sebastian remarked, his gaze sliding over the growing pile of chips.

I offered a noncommittal smile, but one of the well-dressed businessmen ledged in with a grin.

*The luck clearly belongs to your stunning companion. Alpha Sebastian, where did you find someone so gorgeous and clever? I’m honestly jealous.”

As he spoke, his eyes didn’t meet mine-they tracked lower, lingering far too long on the neckline of my lavender blouse.

His stare was slow, deliberate. Possessive, even.

Like he was trying to unwrap me with his eyes.

I’d seen that look before-too many times.

It made my skin crawl.

Still, 1 held my smile, thin as it was.

In both human and wolf society, women learned to endure far more than they should.

The air grew heavier. Colder.

“Mr. Zhuo,” Sebastian said smoothly, his voice low and pleasant.

“Perhaps you should focus less on admiring beauty… and more on not losing everything you brought to the table.”

The words were civil.

The threat wasn’t.

Mr. Zhuo swallowed hard and looked away, color draining from his face.

The other men at the table straightened as well, suddenly absorbed in their cards.

Whatever fantasies they might’ve entertained about me vanished with a single sentence.

Because I wasn’t just a beautiful woman.

was sitting beside an Alpha.

And to them, that made me his.

While I appreciated Sebastian’s protection, it didn’t surprise me. He was honorable by nature-an Alpha defending someone under his temporary care, nothing more.

We played a few more rounds before the game ended

As the yacht returned to the dock, Vivian approached Sebastian for his contact information. He directed her to Beta Sawyer instead.

Getting contact details wasn’t difficult-Keith already had them-but receiving them personally versus through an assistant carried entirely different meanings. By delegating to his Beta Sawyer, Sebastian was clearly signaling to the Keiths and Vivian that their relationship would remain strictly professional.

Vivian was refreshingly genuine. Disappointment flashed across her face before she quickly rallied and cheerfully accepted Sawyer’s number instead

Hmph. Just because he wasn’t interested now didn’t mean she didn’t have a chance later.I could practically hear Sawyer’s internal sigh: Another woman falling hopelessly for the Alpha.

I actually found the girl quite charming. Both were single, and she had no way of Roowing about Sebastian and Amara’s relationship. Why shouldn’t she shoot her shot?

I opened my mouth, ready to protest.

I hadn’t meant to interfere. I’d only spoken out of concern.

But what concern ever outweighed an Alpha’s decision?

They were like wolves tocked in a private struggle-circling, biting, pulling each other closer and then tearing away again.

And now I’d been dragged into the middle.

Anger flared in my chest, hot and immediate.

But I swallowed it down.

He was the Alpha. I had no right to question him.

The front of the vehicle had only two seats-the driver’s and one passenger.

Which meant someone would be forced to ride between the two of them in the back.

My skin prickled at the thought.

“TIl take a separate car,” I said quietly, already stepping back. “It’s better that way.” Beta Sawyer gave a long-suffering sigh, then grabbed my arm and nudged me forward with more force than necessary.

fid rather take a taxi than you,” he muttered. “Get in.”

Before I could react, he opened the passenger door, guided me inside, and shut it behind me with finality.

I sat there, stunned-surrounded by silence, the weight of tension pressing in from all sides.

Resigned to my fate, l fastened my seatbelt and glanced in the rearview mirror.

Sebastian’s profile was stern, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

As we left the dock, the silence in the car was oppressive.

I stopped looking in the mirror and focused on the road ahead

In the back seat, Amara, who had been lying back, sat up and swayed dizzily from side to side.

As the car descended from the bridge and turned onto the right boulevard, her body drifted toward Sebastian’s lap like a falling leaf.

My fingers tightened on the edge of my seat. This was going to be an interesting night-and not in a good way.