Chapter 99

Cecilia’s pov

I spotted Yvonne across the room, looking as sweet and alluring as ever.

It had been a while since we’d last met.

“Darling, over here!” she called out with her characteristic charm, waving enthusiastically.

Her flirtatious greeting drew attention from others in the reception.

I knew everyone here already heard the drama between me, Xavier, and Cici.

Probably more than people on social media.

If things weren’t so messy with Xavier and the Shadow Pack,

they’d be trying to be my friend.

But they didn’t want to upset the Blood Moon Pack or the Shadow Pack.

So, they played it safe. Stayed neutral.

It was like they all agreed:

[You don’t have to go through Cecilia to get close to Alpha Sebastian, but if you want to piss off the Blood Moon and Shadow Packs, just be nice to Cecilia in public p>

Yvonne, however, couldn’t care less about pack politics or what others thought.

She’d weathered many storms and simply categorized the world into people she liked and people she didn’t.

“Yvonne—” I greeted her warmly.

I gave Alpha Sebastian a polite smile. “Excuse me—I need to check on a friend,” I said, then turned and started walking.

Behind me, I could almost hear the guests shifting into position, ready to close in.

It’s not every day Alpha Sebastian shows up at a party.

Then I heard footsteps.

“Why are you walking so fast?” he asked, suddenly right beside me.

I glanced at him, surprised. “I’m not,” I said casually. “Just heading over there p>

He looked amused. “What, am I that scary of a boss p>

Across the room, I caught Yvonne staring at us with her mouth slightly open, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Up until that point, I’d been doing okay—calm, collected, totally fine.

But the way he said it, the way he just… followed me like that?

It felt way too personal.

Like… this wasn’t just small talk anymore.

It kind of felt like we were about to meet his mom or something.

When I reached Yvonne, she immediately turned her charm toward him. ” Alpha Sebastian,” she greeted warmly.

He acknowledged her and engaged in some casual conversation.

I seized the opportunity to grab two drinks from a passing waiter, handing one to Alpha Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jude approached. After exchanging a few words with Alpha Sebastian, he invited him to a more private area.

Before leaving, Alpha Sebastian turned to Yvonne and said, “Take care of Cecilia for me, will you p>

“Absolutely! I’ll look after her perfectly,” Yvonne replied with a grin.

As Alpha Sebastian walked away, I became acutely aware of the stares around me. I felt like a T-Rex—why else would everyone look so terrified?

Yvonne linked her arm through mine, her expression proud. “Sweetheart, how did you turn a narrow path into a golf course? This is spectacular p>

“Sure thing~” she chirped.

We made our way to the terrace.

In the distance, I noticed a couple of mutual friends I shared with Xavier. They smiled and raised their glasses in greeting but didn’t approach.

“That’s actually pretty decent of them,” Yvonne said, patting my hand reassuringly. “Without Alpha Sebastian in the picture, do you think they’d even acknowledge your existence? The fact that they’re not pretending you’re invisible shows they still have some decency p>

She was right. Without Alpha Sebastian’s influence, they probably wouldn’t have spared me even a smile. Being ignored would have been the best-case scenario.

“I’m benefiting from his influence,” I admitted with a small smile.

“These people are shrewd. Can’t really blame them though—who knows which of the Blood Moon Pack or the Shadow Pack loyalists might be watching tonight?” Yvonne tilted her chin toward a woman in a purple top across the terrace. “Speaking of which p>

Following her gaze, I spotted Ana.

“Her husband’s business depends entirely on the Shadow Pack’s support. She has no choice but to bark on command,” Yvonne whispered.

As if sensing our attention, Ana turned and noticed me. Her face immediately registered discomfort.

We didn’t have any personal animosity—we’d actually been on good terms before. But after Xavier cheated with Cici, Ana had deliberately invited me to her club to overhear that painful conversation.

Barking on command—how fitting.

I took a cold sip of my drink, allowing myself a bitter smile.

Yvonne and I found a small table on the terrace.

Soon after, we overheard voices from the floor below.

“Sure, Alpha Sebastian Black is into her now… but give it a minute p>

“Exactly! Remember Alpha Xavier? He went full Romeo, defied his whole bloodline for her—and still cheated. Men like that always get bored p>

“Alpha Sebastian’s just going through a phase. She’s not Luna material p>

“I heard she’s trying to become the Luna of Silver Peak Pack p>

“Please. The whole damn packs know her drama. Silver Peak has standards. She’s not it p>

Yvonne slammed her hand on the table and started to rise, fire in her eyes.

I caught her wrist and pulled her back down. “Relax. Let them talk. Their mouths are attached to their faces, not our problem p>

She blinked at me, then chuckled. “You’re way too calm for someone being publicly roasted p>

I shrugged. “If I started caring about every opinion in the room, I’d never get anything done p>

We sat back down. I barely lifted my glass when a voice overhead piped up—loud enough for half the room to hear:

“I hear Alpha Sebastian’s completely obsessed with her. Like… can’t function without her. They say he’s been physically exhausted. You know… from all the late-night activities p>

Cue dramatic choking.

I nearly spat out my drink. “Seriously?” I muttered under my breath. “Do these rumors never end or what p>

I started to rise, irritation bubbling over, but Yvonne tugged me back into my seat, smirking.

“Let them talk,” she said sweetly, tossing my own words back at me. Then she leaned in. “So… is he really exhausted p>

I stared at her. “How would I know p>

Yvonne covered her mouth, laughing like she’d just won a bet.

“I didn’t realize the two of you were still in the innocent glances and paperwork stage p>

“I’m his secretary,” I said flatly. “Not his mistress p>

“Tell that to the people writing the fanfiction,” she shot back. “Especially after everything he’s done for you. The way he stood by you with the Blood Moon Pack and the Shadow Pack drama? And let’s not forget how he basically followed you around all night like a loyal wolfdog p>

I sighed. “Great. So now I’m a homewrecker with magical powers. Love that for me p>

Yvonne nudged me playfully. “Come on, being linked to Alpha Sebastian isn’t the worst thing in the world p>

“Oh, for sure,” I said with a sarcastic smile. “I’m thinking of printing T-shirts. Seduced the Alpha. Ask me how p>

Sebastian’s pov

In the private room, I faced Mr. Jude with a knowing smile.

“Is he here?” I asked directly.

Mr. Jude nodded. “Of course. Why else would I have called you on such short notice p>

My lips curved into a satisfied smile. “I appreciate this favor. I won’t forget it. If you ever need anything, just ask p>

“I won’t go easy on you for this favor,” Mr. Jude said with a playful gleam in his eyes.

He clapped my shoulder lightly before turning to leave.

The private room had two doors. Behind the inner one waited the person Mr. Jude had tracked down for me – someone connected to the Shadow Pack.

I entered the second room, my senses immediately registering the scent of medications and despair.

Seated in a worn armchair was a woman with prematurely white hair.

Her hollowed features and gaunt frame spoke of prolonged suffering.

Though middle-aged, she appeared decades older, withered by whatever hardships she’d endured.

“My son was handsome like you,” she finally said, the non-sequitur hanging in the air between us.

I offered her a gentle smile.”Thank you for the compliment,” I replied softly.