Chapter 114
Cecilia’s pov
My hand instinctively clutched my phone to my chest when I saw who was in the elevator with me.
“Good morning, Alpha Sebastian,” I greeted. “Good morning, Beta Sawyer p>
I kept my voice light and my smile natural, but the slight stiffness at the corners of my lips betrayed my inner tension.
My eyes barely skimmed across Alpha Sebastian’s chest before memories from last night flashed through my mind—him pulling me into his arms, gripping my wrist, whispering in my ear p>
“Good morning,” Alpha Sebastian replied coolly.
His demeanor was serene, his handsome face as pristine and untouchable as perfectly sculpted ice.
I moved to stand behind him, taking a deep breath to dispel the images swirling in my head.
“New phone?” Beta Sawyer whispered beside me.
“Hmm?” I glanced at the device in my hand. “Oh, I accidentally shattered my screen yesterday. Just using my old one until I get it fixed p>
“I was wondering about the switch p>
We chatted quietly until the elevator reached the lobby. As soon as the doors opened, I started walking toward the exit rather than following them to the parking garage.
Beta Sawyer looked confused. “Aren’t you coming to get your car p>
“It’s still at the company,” I explained.
“Then ride with us,” he offered.
“I…haven’t had breakfast yet,” I said, backing away. “You go ahead. See you there p>
Before either could respond, I hurried off on my heels, practically jogging toward the street.
I arrived at the Silver Peak Pack offices just in time, my mind elsewhere.
The truth was, I hadn’t switched phones at all. The second device and number were specifically for Luna Dora to contact me.
As expected, after receiving the dossier about Mason’s disappearance, she reached out immediately.
When I mentioned wanting justice for my classmate, she readily agreed to help. Her task: discover where the boy’s body was hidden.
Not an easy feat, but Luna Dora—now desperate to escape Cici’s blackmail—would find a way. She promised to report back with any information.
I never told her my name. My plan was to use others to eliminate Cici while keeping myself safely removed from the situation.
After settling into my office, I grabbed my tablet and headed to Beta Sawyer’s desk for our morning check-in—and to gather some intelligence.
“Alpha Sebastian mentioned going to Boulder this Saturday,” Beta Sawyer said. “Did he tell you anything about it p>
“No,” I shook my head. “Boulder? Did he say why p>
“He didn’t p>
“So it’s a last-minute decision,” I mused.
My mind immediately flashed to that mysterious figure Alpha Sebastian had met two nights ago. Could this trip be related? It seemed likely.
“He didn’t specify whether he’s taking you or me,” Beta Sawyer added. “I guess he’ll let us know later p>
“Whatever he decides,” I shrugged. “It’s not our place to question p>
No matter how much input we gave, the final decision would always be his.
Beta Sawyer nodded in firm agreement.
The morning dragged through two consecutive meetings, leaving the executives looking exhausted, particularly Vice President Wiley, who I caught secretly taking heart medication.
Alpha Sebastian had a business lunch scheduled, dragging the already-weakened VP Wiley along for the ordeal.
By the time they returned around 1 PM, my head was throbbing. Yet Alpha Sebastian still looked energetic and alert.
Did afternoon naps really improve one’s constitution that dramatically?
I found myself wishing I could set up a small bed in my office.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t my fate.
After sitting down for just five minutes, I remembered some tasks I needed to delegate to the secretarial department downstairs.
Author’s pov
As Cecilia approached the secretaries’ office area, she heard animated gossip from inside.
“Our Alpha had a mating meeting with Miss Hazel last night! My friend works for Miss Hazel and told me everything p>
“The Hazels? That’s a good match—their pack has significant territory near the mountains p>
“Look what Miss Hazel posted at lunch—a nine-photo grid of an extravagant meal with our Alpha in one of the pictures! The caption says: He said he likes women who enjoy food. Looking forward to our culinary adventure in Boulder on Saturday p>
“Wow, that’s pretty obvious! So the mating meeting was successful, and now they’re dating p>
“When there’s chemistry, even being a foodie becomes an attractive quality p>
“No! My ship is sinking! Alpha Sebastian belongs with Cassian p>
“What are you talking about? Alpha Sebastian is straight as an arrow! He’s clearly interested in our Cecilia p>
“Give it up, all your ships are sinking. Alpha Sebastian had a successful mating meeting, which means he’ll have an official Luna soon. Everything else is just speculation p>
“So what does that make Cecilia? The mistress p>
The gossiping group fell silent.
After a moment, someone said, “Well, when you love someone you can’t marry, that’s all you can be. The official Luna has to be someone from a proper Pack background. That’s how it works in elite circles p>
Cecilia chose that moment to walk in, deliberately clearing her throat twice.
The gossip squad jumped in alarm, their faces flushing with embarrassment when they saw who had caught them.
“Slacking off during work hours?” Cecilia said sternly before softening her expression. “Though I suppose a few minutes of gossip is good for mental health. I’ll let it slide this time p>
The group visibly relaxed.
After Cecilia assigned their tasks, one apologized, “Sorry, Cecilia. We shouldn’t have been gossiping about you behind your back p>
Cecilia waved it off. “Gossip doesn’t bother me, but could you at least spread something more favorable? Maybe clarify around the office that I’m not the Alpha’s mate and definitely will never be his mistress p>
They agreed verbally, though their expressions made it clear they didn’t believe her.
Cecilia didn’t bother trying to convince them further.
Returning upstairs, she headed to the break room for water, finally understanding Alpha Sebastian’s true reason for going to Boulder p>
Inside, she found Beta Sawyer making coffee.
“The Alpha Sebastian’s skipping his nap today?” she asked.
“Yes, quite unusual. Perhaps because he’s traveling Saturday and needs to handle some work in advance p>
“I see.” Cecilia nodded, filling her cup with water. After taking a sip, she added confidently, “He’ll definitely take you this time p>
“Why do you say that?” Beta Sawyer looked at her curiously.
“Because he’s going on a date, and bringing me would be awkward p>
Beta Sawyer dropped coffee beans in surprise. “A date? With whom p>
“Miss Hazel p>
Cecilia briefly explained the previous night’s mating meeting. “The Alpha Sebastian mentioned Boulder this morning, and Miss Hazel just posted about looking forward to a food tour there on Saturday. Connect the dots p>
Beta Sawyer nodded slowly as understanding dawned. “Got it p>
As the workday edged toward its end, Sebastian summoned both Cecilia and Beta Sawyer into his office.
The air inside, as always, was crisp and orderly—just like the man behind the desk.
Without so much as glancing up from the documents in front of him, Alpha Sebastian spoke in his usual clipped, no-nonsense tone.
Across the room, Beta Sawyer shot Cecilia a loaded look—the kind that said, “You’re right,” with just a twitch of the brow.
Cecilia, unfazed, offered a small shrug in return. She responded with a small shrug that seemed to say this was hardly impressive deduction.
When neither immediately acknowledged his instructions, Alpha Sebastian glanced up. “Any objections p>