Chapter 59
Xavier’s pov
I could still feel the sting of her rejection, sharp and humiliating, as if her words had cut right through me. Cecilia had pushed me away—me, her mate—as though I were nothing more than a mistake she was desperate to forget.
Why would the Moon Goddess make werewolves suffer this much when humans don’t have to deal with any of it? The mate bond seemed to only tie me down while she felt nothing at all.
My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, demanding I claim her, make her understand who she belonged to. But instead of submission, I had tasted her defiance. And then she took off.
Nobody walks away from me.
I death-gripped the steering wheel until the leather creaked, my jaw clenched so hard it ached. She thought she could slip through my fingers, vanish into the city, hide behind weak excuses and borrowed courage. But she didn’t understand—I wouldn’t allow it.
The sharp trill of Harper’s phone broke my concentration. Without thinking, I snatched it out of her hands, ignoring her shocked yelp and the way the car swerved for half a second. I was hanging on by a thread.
Her protests went in one ear and out the other as I unlocked the screen and scrolled. I didn’t need Harper’s explanations. I needed one thing: to find Cecilia.
And there it was.
Her name. Cecilia. Written across the glowing screen, tangled in conversations she thought were private. And worse—Sebastian Black’s name woven through the messages like poison.
Alpha Sebastian.
The muscles in my jaw flexed until I thought they might snap. So he wanted to play knight in shining armor? The thought of him near her—of his attention on what was mine—sent a surge of heat down my spine, dark and violent.
I got my breathing under control, though rage pulsed through every vein. Losing my shit now would solve nothing. I needed her back where she belonged—by my side, under my protection, within reach.
“Fine,” I muttered, my thumb jabbing the screen as I sent the reply. My voice was low, clipped, every syllable vibrating with barely controlled fury.
I found the name of the burger shop she’d mentioned. A pathetic little hole-in-the-wall for her to hide. My lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
“Drive there,” I ordered Harper, my tone flat, lethal.
She hesitated—stupid girl—so I turned my gaze on her. One look was enough. Her knuckles whitened around the wheel, and the car shot forward again.
Inside, my wolf prowled, restless and savage. Cecilia could run, she could fight, she could scream that she didn’t want me. But I would find her. I would bring her back.
And once I had her, she would learn that rejecting me wasn’t an option.
Cecilia’s pov
After Alpha Sebastian had rescued me, my stomach growled so loudly it echoed in the car. He noticed right away and pulled over in a quiet little town. But it was late—past midnight—and most places were already closed.
We found only two options still open: a smoky BBQ food truck with a long line of drunk college kids, and a run-down 24-hour diner with flickering neon lights.
I chose the diner. The smell of coffee and greasy fries was surprisingly comforting after the night I’d had. I texted Harper my location—figured she might be starving too—and ordered an extra bacon cheeseburger and fries for her.
Alpha Sebastian gave me a knowing smile as I slid the phone back into my pocket.
“At least you still have a conscience p>
“Huh?” I blinked, confused. “Oh—do you like bacon cheeseburger, Alpha p>
I recovered quickly, but not quickly enough. He clearly picked up on the hesitation. His smile faded, just slightly, as realization sank in.
“The second burger’s not for me, is it?” he said, voice calm but distant.
“You’ve already ordered,” he added after a beat, “and now you ask if I like bacon cheeseburger? Interesting timing p>
“Not at all!” I gestured toward the table’s condiment rack. “Garlic aioli burger, mushroom swiss burger, bacon cheeseburger—whatever you want. You can make it however you like p>
His expression didn’t change. He just looked at me for a moment longer, then asked, matter-of-factly:
“Tell me the truth. Did you order that second burger for me p>
“Of course I did! Who else would I order it for?” I widened my eyes, trying to look as sincere as possible.
This was like taking credit for someone else’s present—what was I supposed to do? Admit the truth and make him feel awkward? I only had so many brownie points.
Alpha Sebastian stared at me, seeing right through my act. “Miss Cecilia, you’re wasting your talents not being an actress p>
My face turned beet red. Under the harsh fluorescent lights that revealed every detail of my expression, my little white lie was completely see-through. He saw right through my people-pleasing.
I gave up. “Fine, I actually ordered it for Harper p>
Alpha Sebastian said nothing more.
When the burgers arrived, he didn’t touch his. His icy stare across the table made me feel so uncomfortable that I couldn’t enjoy my food either. Those eyes said it all: You ungrateful, double-crossing woman, just sit there and eat alone.
I silently made a mental note to put him first from now on.
Then I spotted Harper’s car pulling up outside.
I smiled and began to wave—but then went rigid as a familiar figure emerged from the car.
There stood a visibly miserable Harper alongside a livid Xavier.
After a moment’s thought, Alpha Sebastian seemed to connect the dots. He turned back to me, watching my almost tearful expression, and said simply, “What are the odds p>
I nodded like a robot. “Yes. Just my luck p>
How could it be anything else? After all that running around, Xavier had tracked me down again.
The door flew open.
Xavier strode in with long, purposeful steps and sat down beside me, his gaze traveling from my face to my hands.
Suddenly, he smiled, took my hand, and grabbed my burger.
He took a bite. “So hungry you had to sneak off and eat burgers by yourself? Why didn’t you just tell me p>
I could only manage a forced, wooden smile in response.
Xavier turned his attention to Alpha Sebastian, his voice dripping with territorial aggression. “Alpha Sebastian, why do I keep finding you lurking around my mate? She has a husband. Didn’t you know that p>
Harper couldn’t take it anymore. “Alpha Xavier, stop acting like a maniac. Alpha Sebastian was just being a decent human being by rescuing her p>
Alpha Xavier turned to her with a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Didn’t your text say that if he wasn’t interested in her, you’d eat your hat? What, want to give that a try now p>
Harper looked like she might pass out. And I froze completely.
Neither of us had imagined our private conversation would reach Alpha Sebastian’s ears like this.
The air grew thick with tension.
After a tense moment, Alpha Sebastian smiled softly, his demeanor perfectly calm and collected, radiating an aura that suggested everything he did had a reason.
“Whether I have interest in Cecilia or not is my business and has nothing to do with her,” he said in his smooth voice. “If my actions today have gotten under your skin, Alpha Xavier, I can only apologize. However, regardless of the situation, even if you are still her legal husband, forcing yourself on a woman is absolutely disgusting p>
I held my breath, my heart racing.
Xavier was so thoroughly called out that his anger had nowhere to go.
His jaw tightened, fists clenched at his sides.
If looks could kill, Alpha Sebastian would’ve been toast.
“Excuse me,” Alpha Sebastian called out, his voice smooth, unbothered.
The waitress—mid-thirties, sharp eyeliner, bubblegum-pink nails—practically pushed her coworker out of the way and hurried over with a bright smile.
“Yes, handsome? What can I get you p>
Alpha Sebastian gestured toward the table.
“We’ve been talking so long, the food’s gotten cold,” he said casually. “Could you clear this and bring us four fresh plates? Burgers, same as before p>
He glanced at Harper, offering her a small, gentlemanly nod.
“And please make this lady’s a double with extra bacon p>
Harper looked completely smitten.
The waitress beamed. “Absolutely p>
A little while later, the food was ready.
Alpha Xavier was too pissed to eat.
I managed to eat half my burger with my thoughts all over the map.
Harper spent the entire time sneaking looks at Alpha Sebastian, completely ignoring her food.
Only Alpha Sebastian ate steadily. When finished, he dabbed his mouth with a napkin and remarked, “You’re all wasting food p>
“No! I’m still working on it!” Harper frantically dove back in, scarfing down everything, then let out a loud burp.
She often skipped breakfast and stayed up late reviewing case files. Her stomach was sensitive, and overeating could make her throw up.
Harper waved me off frantically. “I’m fine! We can’t let this go to waste She turned to Alpha Xavier. “You eat yours too p>
Alpha Xavier gave her a cold, mocking look.
When I tried to stand up to pay the bill, Harper pushed me back down. “You’re cleaning your plate too p>
I could only stare at her completely helpless: “Alright p>