Chapter 183
Author’s pov
While Cecilia was casually chatting with Simon on the sidewalk, she had no idea she had an audience–and not the kind that claps politely.
Half a block away, parked in a sleek black Mercedes with tinted windows and a mood to match, Sebastian watched like a man moments from burning down a city block.
His jaw clenched tighter with every laugh Simon coaxed from her.
In the driver’s seat, Beta Sawyer was visibly uncomfortable.
His fingers tapped an anxious rhythm on the steering wheel as he glanced at his Alpha, then back at the pair on the sidewalk.
“Should I pretend not to see this or pray you don’t do something stupid?” he muttered under his breath. Not that anyone was listening.
When Cecilia finally drove off, unaware of the storm cloud trailing her, Beta Sawyerstarted the engine in silence.
The two cars cruised through the suburbs like some twisted parade: Cecilia in front, blissfully oblivious; Sebastian behind, radiating silent fury.
She didn’t notice at first. Not until a long red light forced her to stop. She glanced in the rearview mirror–and froze.
That car. That exact car.
No way.
Sebastian? Here?
This road wasn’t on the way to The Silver Peak. Not even remotely.
He’d followed her. Deliberately.
Her stomach clenched.
Had he seen her with Simon?
The panic barely had time to bloom before another thought swept in, colder and meaner:
Oh, right. Amara was back.
Summoned by his mother to “restore order,” or whatever regressive nonsense they’d wrapped it in this time. The moment had already passed the point of no return.
What did it matter what he saw? Or who she talked to?
Amara was just another pawn in the same tired game. A warning shot in lipstick and Louboutins.
The message was always the same: Any she-wolf is good enough for the Silver Peak Alpha–except a human.
The ending was already written. She’d read the last page of this book a long time ago. Everything else was just unnecessary plot drama before the inevitable.
By the time she parked at headquarters, her shoulders were loose, her smile oddly serene.
If she was going down, she might as well enjoy the free entertainment on the way.
As she stepped out of her car, so did Sebastian and Sawyer. He didn’t even look at her.
“Alpha. Beta Sawyer,” she greeted smoothly, falling into step beside Beta Sawyer like nothing had happened.
Sebastian didn’t acknowledge her.
His voice was ice as they reached the elevator.
“You’ll be switching duties with Beta Sawyer today p>
Translation: You’re stuck with me, sweetheart.
Normally, Beta Sawyer was the one orbiting the Alpha–chauffeur, assistant. Now, that job belonged to her.
Wonderful.
Cecilia and Beta Sawyer exchanged a glance as the elevator doors opened and Sebastian disappeared into his office without another word.
Beta Sawyer leaned in. “You okay with this? He seems… off p>
“Oh, not at all,” Cecilia chirped, borderline cheerful as she practically skipped toward her office.
Beta Sawyerblinked after her, stunned.
Cecilia’s pov
At precisely 9:30 AM, following Sebastian’s command, Beta Sawyer and I exchanged our daily responsibilities.
I brewed coffee exactly as Sebastian preferred it–black, no sugar, with just a hint of cinnamon–and carried it into his office.
Standing at a respectful distance, I opened my tablet and reviewed his daily schedule.
When I finished, the office fell silent.
“Why has my secretary suddenly turned cold overnight?” Sebastian’s deep voice cut through the quiet, his tone serious despite the personal nature of the question.
I paused, feigning confusion. “I haven’t p>
Sebastian took a deliberate sip of coffee, his eyes scanning my face like he was reading a complicated contract, missing no detail.
“Is my secretary trying to avoid her promises again?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I sighed dramatically, as if dealing with a demanding child.
Moving closer, I leaned down and pressed the lightest of kisses against the corner of his mouth before whispering intimately, “I’m not avoiding anything. I’m quite fond of you, actually. You’re exceptionally talented in certain areas. Perhaps next time we could p>
“Hook up again?” Sebastian finished, his expression darkening dangerously.
I blinked innocently, offering the barest hint of a nod, a coy smile playing on my lips.
Sebastian’s eyes instantly frosted over, cold enough to freeze hell itself.
“I should get back to work, Alpha,” I said formally, straightening up and clutching my tablet. I turned and walked out with purposeful strides, not giving him a chance to respond.
Throughout the morning, I played the role of attentive assistant perfectly.
I darted in and out of his office–scheduling meetings, delivering documents, refreshing his coffee–buzzing around him exactly as Sawyer normally would.
When Sebastian asked questions, I answered with bright smiles.
When he remained silent, I simply completed my task and departed.
By noon, we were seated across from potential investors at an upscale steakhouse downtown. What was pitched as a two-hour lunch swiftly morphed into a four-hour marathon of negotiations, rich food, and free-flowing wine.
The atmosphere was deceptively congenial, but every refilled glass was a strategic move, every toast a subtle test of stamina. I watched Sawyer, already flagging, and made a decision. When the next round of single malts was ordered–“To celebrate our mutual understanding I smoothly engaged the lead investor, redirecting his attention and, by extension, the pressure to drink. Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as I accepted a glass meant for him; I met his gaze briefly before downing it with a practiced smile. My job wasn’t just to take notes, but to manage the field–and that included absorbing the social friction so he could keep a clear head for the deal.
By the time we stood to leave, the deal was secured, but my cheeks were flushed with a tell-tale heat. Sawyer bolted for the restroom, the strain finally overcoming him.
“Sawyer, are you alright?” I called after him, my words slightly thicker than I intended.
I took a few unsteady steps before Sebastian’s arm locked firmly around my waist, holding me upright. He guided me out to the waiting car and helped me into the back seat.
“I told you to pace yourself,” he said, his voice a low growl in the quiet interior. “You didn’t have to match them drink for drink p>
I leaned my head back against the seat, offering him a weary, lopsided smile. “Somebody had to. If I didn’t, Sawyer would be in worse shape, and you… you needed to stay sharp. That’s my job, isn’t it? To clear the path.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Cecilia, are you trying to tell me you don’t want to be my mate anymore p>
“I never planned on being responsible for you in the first place,” I mumbled.
Sebastian’s heart clenched. He grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him. “What did you say p>
“What? Didn’t you tell me I could handle this however I wanted? That I didn’t have to be responsible for you p>
I jabbed a finger into his chest, hard enough to make a point.
“Let’s be real– I never considered you my boyfriend p>
“I’ve got my own place, my own money, and the freedom to do whatever the hell I want. Why would I complicate my life with something I don’t even need p>
I stepped back, folding my arms. “I’m not signing up for chaos. I’m not a masochist p>
He didn’t flinch. Just studied me, eyes sharp. “What did your parents say to you p>
I brushed his hand off my arm and turned away, closing my eyes.
“They said if it’s fun, keep going. If it stops being fun, cut it off. No one’s losing sleep over this p>
Before I could say another word, strong hands pulled me back around.
Anger fueled his kiss as his lips crashed against mine.
I didn’t resist. My arms draped loosely around his neck as I returned the kiss.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes were dark and turbulent, like whirlpools ready to drag me under.
“Who says neither of us loses? I’m already at a massive loss,” he growled. “If you try to run now, even if you flee to the moon, I’ll bring you back p>
I froze, staring at him.
After a long moment, I smiled–a lazy, seductive curve of my lips. “You misunderstand. I never said I wanted to run. We’re having a good time together, and I’d still like to p>
I traced my fingers over his abs suggestively, enjoy ourselves a while longer p>
Sebastian’s eyes turned glacial.
The heat I expected to see there? Gone. Replaced by something unreadable.
He caught my hand mid-motion, his grip firm, unmoving.
Not rough. But final.
He held it there, his gaze locked on mine.
He didn’t say a word.
Tension crackled like static between us–then, just outside the car window, movement.
Sawyer emerged from the restaurant, unsteady on his feet, one arm slung over a server’s shoulder. Another waiter flanked his other side.
My breath hitched, but before I could react, my phone buzzed sharply in my lap.
The ringtone sliced through the silence like a slap.
I flinched, pulling my hand free from Sebastian’s and sitting up straight.
I didn’t dare look at him.
Bringing the phone to my ear, I answered,”I’m where I need to be p>
Out of the corner of my eye, I felt it–Sebastian’s gaze. Hard. Fixed. Unblinking.
Not on me. On the phone.