Chapter 318

Cecilia’s pov

I woke up before dawn, eyes gritty from a night of tossing and turning.

I dreamed about those two pink lines all night.

One dark, one light. But both meant the same thing.

I was pregnant.

The morning routine felt like walking through fog. Shower. Breakfast. Office.

My body went through the motions automatically, but my mind was stuck in a loop of panic.

At meetings, I nodded at the right times. On calls, I said what I had to say.

But in every quiet moment, my thoughts circled back to the same terrifying truth.

That second line was faint, which meant this was recent. Really recent.

My brain immediately rewound to that night I’d told Sebastian not to use protection.

One night where everything felt so right, so intimate, that nothing else seemed to matter.

What the hell was I thinking?

My heart pounded just thinking about it. His body on mine. The way he looked at me like nothing else existed.

It didn’t feel reckless then. It felt natural. Like it was always going to happen.

I sat alone in my office, fingers tangled in my hair until it stuck out in all directions.

I caught my reflection in the black laptop screen. Wide eyes. Pale face. Total panic.

“Nice going, Cecilia,” I muttered. “One night of no barriers and now p>

I pressed both hands against my still-flat stomach.

What would Sebastian do if he found out?

The Alpha of the Silver Peak Pack, learning his human assistant was carrying his child?

I didn’t hate the idea of motherhood. Someday.

What scared me was how fast everything would change.

But maybe… maybe this wasn’t the end of the world.

I had my own money, my career, my tability. I didn’t need a partner to raise a child

Plenty of women raised kids on their own. Some even selected donors for optimal traits

And Sebastian? Let’s be real–he’s the blueprint. Strength, intelligence, that jawline. The genetic lottery’s poster boy.

I let out a short, breathy laugh.

“Good genes, terrible timing p>

Even if we didn’t work out, I could do this.

I’d faced worse. I’d survived heartbreak, betrayal, and office politics that could eat you alive.

This was just… a new kind of challenge.

One I hadn’t prepared for, but maybe one I was strong enough to handle.

I was so deep in thought, I didn’t hear the door open.

“These need your signature,” Sebastian said, his voice low and calm.

I jumped. “Sorry,” I said quickly, smoothing my hair.

“Just thinking about the quarterly projections p>

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Bring them to my office when you’re done,” he said, leaving the folder on my desk.

An hour later, I knocked on his door, heart thudding harder than it should.

“Come in p>

I stepped in and dropped the signed papers on his desk.

As I turned to leave, I stole a quick look at him. Strong jaw. Focused. Eyes you don’t forget.

Would our baby have those eyes?

“Has your period started yet?” he asked, still reading.

I froze. “Um, yeah. A little uncomfortable, but normal p>

He looked up. “I’m going to lie down for a bit. You should too. You look pale p>

I swallowed, nodding.

“Okay p>

His hand brushed against my lower back, just for a second.

My pulse stuttered. Could he feel it? Smell it?

I took a step away, keeping my tone even.

“That’s not exactly workplace-appropriate,” I said. “You rest. I’ve got work to finish p>

I walked out, trying not to run, but I could feel his eyes on me the entire way.

Once outside, I leaned against the wall and replayed the moment in my head.

We’d talked about pregnancy before… what if he was already connecting the dots?

Wolves had heightened senses. Could he smell it this early?

My hand drifted to my stomach.

This tiny maybe-baby was already turning my life upside down.

My career. My future.

I’d handled cheating exes, office politics, and even a three-month waitlist for a Birkin.

But this? This felt like trying to solve a puzzle with the pieces still missing.

Logic and emotion were at war. Past and future, crashing into each other.

I rubbed my temples and tried to focus.

My family was flying in today. Sebastian had arranged everything.

I called my mom to check in.

“We’re still on the road,” she said. “Don’t worry, we’re good p>

“Text me when you get there, okay p>

“Of course, honey p>

Two minutes later, my phone rang again.

Zaria’s name popped up, and my stomach did that weird flip it always did around her.

“Hey, Zaria p>

“Cecilia, are you free tonight?” she asked, all cheerful and upbeat.

Another dinner at the Black family estate? Great. Just what I needed.

“I’m not sure if your brother needs me to stay late,” I said, already hedging.

“I asked him. He said no p>

“Then I guess I’m free p>

“Perfect! My mom’s cooking tonight. We felt awful about last time—your first dinner and it turned into chaos. We want a redo p>

“Maybe we should skip it,” I said, not loving the idea of another awkward encounter with the Alpha’s mother.

“Oh, come on,” Zaria laughed.

“Come on, you’ve gotta eat somewhere. You’re seeing my brother, not signing a contract. It’s just dinner. Chill. Worst case, it’s one awkward night and then it’s over p>

Before I could come up with another excuse, she added,

“Harper and Yvonne are coming too. They already said yes. You’re kind of out of options now p>

I groaned. “Fine p>

“Great! See you tonight p>

“Yeah. Great,” I echoed, already bracing for whatever weird energy was waiting at that dinner table.

As I hung up, my hand drifted back to my stomach.

Would there ever be a night when I brought Sebastian’s child to one of these family dinners?

Would the Black family welcome a half-human baby into their fold?

Or would it just be me and the baby, figuring it out on our own?