Chapter 424 Unexpected Tension

Author’s pov

Xenia’s voice rang out clear and pleading. “Pretty brother is leaving…”

Maggie caught Xavier’s eye from across the table, giving him a pointed look.

Finally understanding what was expected of him, Alpha Xavier reached out and grasped Xenia’s small wrist, pulling her back to her seat.

“Xenia, you haven’t finished your breakfast,” he said firmly.

“But I want to go to the garden too,” she whispered, her eyes still fixed on Alpha Sebastian’s retreating form.

“You can go after you finish eating.”

“No! I want to go now!” Her voice rose with childish determination.

Alpha Xavier struggled with the increasingly agitated child.

Eventually, he gave in to her persistence and allowed her to pull him toward the garden.

Within moments, they had disappeared through the doorway.

Alpha Gavin seized the opportunity, mumbling something about needing fresh air before making his own quick exit.

—

In the garden, Cecilia walked arm-in-arm with Martha, enjoying the peaceful morning air.

Alpha Sebastian strolled leisurely behind them, keeping a protective distance while watching over his mate.

They had been walking the garden path for several minutes when suddenly, a small white blur came charging around the corner directly toward Cecilia.

She had no time to dodge, only instinctively moving her hands to protect her abdomen.

“Thud!”

The sound of impact reached her ears, but she felt no collision.

Alpha Sebastian had moved with lightning speed, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

After making sure Cecilia was safe, Alpha Sebastian turned toward the intruder, his eyes flashing with dangerous alpha power.

“Get away from her. NOW!” The command carried the full weight of an Alpha’s authority.

Xenia, who had been smiling innocently up at them, froze in shock at his fierce tone, her little face going blank with fear.

“Are you alright?” Alpha Sebastian’s voice changed completely when he turned back to Cecilia, becoming gentle and concerned.

“A little startled,” Cecilia replied softly, “but I’m fine now.”

Alpha Sebastian visibly relaxed at her reassurance.

Behind them, Alpha Xavier pulled the stunned Xenia back a few steps and called out, “Cecilia, are you okay?”

Cecilia couldn’t shake the feeling that Alpha Xavier had deliberately let Xenia rush at her.

“What do you think?” she snapped. “After nearly being knocked down by a charging child, how would I be?”

Alpha Xavier flinched at her sharp response.

Martha had recovered from her initial shock and moved to shield Cecilia, her displeasure evident. “What are you doing here, Xenia? Did Maggie send you to corner us in the garden?”

“Xenia wanted to see Alpha Sebastian,” Alpha Xavier explained. “She ran off before I could stop her.”

Alpha Sebastian let out a cold laugh. “Can’t catch a little girl, Xavier? How convenient.”

Alpha Xavier didn’t argue. “To be honest, I’m puzzled myself by how quickly she ran.”

Both Alpha Sebastian and Cecilia exchanged meaningful glances at this comment, finding it strange.

“Take her away,” Martha demanded.

Alpha Xavier looked down at Xenia. “Come on, they want us to leave.”

But the moment they started walking away, Xenia darted after Sebastian again with surprising speed.

Alpha Xavier reached out to grab her but caught nothing but air.

Cecilia felt her blood run cold. The way Xenia chased them felt wrong, almost like a predator stalking prey.

Her instincts screamed at her to never turn her back on danger. She spun around and barked, “Xenia!”

Xenia stopped abruptly.

Cecilia pressed a hand to her racing heart, then pointed ahead. “Xavier, you both walk in front of us.”

Martha led them quickly back toward the house.

As they approached, Cassian was just arriving from his own residence.

Hearing about Xenia’s strange obsession with Alpha Sebastian, he laughed heartily, completely unfazed by the situation.

“Xenia, come here,” he called.

Xenia obediently went to him. “Brother, play with me.”

Cassian patted her head affectionately. “Would you like some ice cream?”

“Yes!”

“I brought your favorite chocolate ice cream and put it in your playroom. Go enjoy it.”

“Brother eat too,” she insisted.

“I already had some. Now it’s Xenia’s turn. After you finish, I’ll come play with you, okay?”

Xenia nodded sweetly. “Okay.”

“Please take Miss Xenia back to her room,” Cassian instructed the maid who was specifically assigned to look after Xenia.

The maid promptly took Xenia’s hand and led her away.

—

Martha called Cecilia away for refreshments while Cassian led Alpha Sebastian and Alpha Xavier to the living room.

The three men chatted easily.

Alpha Gavin, who had disappeared after breakfast to explore the garden, finally returned after an hour and a half.

By then, the men had run out of conversation.

Soon after Alpha Gavin returned, a servant arrived with Maggie’s message requesting Alpha Xavier and Gavin’s presence.

By mid-morning, Alpha Sebastian and Cecilia were ready to leave.

Cassian, having promised to spend time with Xenia, walked in that direction after seeing the couple off.

However, instead of going to find Xenia, he boldly pushed open Maggie’s study door without knocking.

He caught the end of a sentence: “…when the time comes, you’ll both go together…”

“Who’s there!” Maggie snapped.

Cassian smiled without shame. “I’m looking for Xenia. I promised to play with her. Thought she might be here.”

After a tense moment, Maggie forced a smile. “Xenia has been waiting downstairs. She’s probably wandered off by now. Why don’t you go find her?”

“Sure.

Just as he was closing the door, he suddenly pushed it open again. “Oh, I heard you asking Alpha Xavier and Gavin to go somewhere. Could I join them?”

“You want to come?” Maggie raised an eyebrow.

“It’s a good networking opportunity. Could benefit the Locke family.”

Maggie’s eyes lit up. “How about this—I’ll tell my friend to add one more guest. The three of you can go together.”

“Excellent!” Cassian agreed. “Where are we going?”

“A friend is taking a boat trip. I thought I’d introduce them to him.” Maggie smiled thinly. “Still interested?”

“I love sailing! Count me in.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Cassian waved and left.

—

That evening, Alpha Sebastian completed his remaining business appointments in Colorado Springs.

After finishing his work, he and Cassian had a brief but intense conversation.

Following their discussion, Cassian said goodbye to Alpha Sebastian’s party, which included Cecilia, Harper, Tang, and Beta Sawyer. T

he group then returned to Denver.

The day after they got back to Denver, to avoid potential assassination attempts from Maggie and Belinda, Cecilia went to formally resign from her position.

Alpha Sebastian had already arranged for her replacement as his secretary.