Chapter 96

Cecilia’s pov

“Tell her to stop calling you that,” Alpha Sebastian said firmly.

I stared at his back, incredulous. “Fine, I’ll tell her to stop p>

Seriously? His wolf hearing was that sensitive?

What crime had I committed by letting a former colleague call me Secretary Cecilia on the phone? Or by accepting a lunch invitation?

Alpha Sebastian continued walking, disappearing into his office without another glance.

I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of his possessiveness like a physical presence.

Beta Sawyer stood beside me, staring thoughtfully at the closed door of the Alpha Sebastian’s office.

“He might be Beta Sawyer began hesitantly, sexually frustrated p>

I nearly choked.

“It’s not your fault,” he continued with genuine sympathy.

Seeing my bewildered expression, Beta Sawyer added reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you p>

Help me? How exactly? Were we even thinking about the same thing?

At 11:20 AM, I left the Silver Peak building, driving toward my lunch appointment.

The Hidden Spring restaurant was near the Blood Moon Pack territory, about twenty-eight minutes away by car.

It was a Japanese place our team used to frequent for company dinners.

Traffic was heavier than expected, and I arrived right at noon.

The restaurant owner greeted me with a smile as I entered, directing me to the Slumber private room where Jasmine was waiting.

I walked down the hallway, wondering why she’d reserved such a large private room for just the two of us. Something felt off.

As I approached, my hand hesitated before reaching for the door. Before I could decide whether to enter, it slid open.

“Manager Moore,” Jasmine said, pulling me inside.

Just as I thought I might have been paranoid, a figure emerged from behind the decorative screen.

Xavier. Of course.

“Well, well. So this lunch invitation was just bait to lure me for your Alpha,” I said with a cold laugh, turning to leave immediately.

Xavier blocked my path in a few quick strides, then asked Jasmine to leave us.

She cast me an apologetic glance, but I refused to meet her eyes.

“Move,” I demanded, my voice arctic, eyes filled with nothing but ice and hatred.

“I wanted to—” Xavier couldn’t meet my eyes. “—talk to you p>

I glared at him, my voice cold.

“I don’t want to hear whatever excuse you’ve got. But since you forced this little talk, let me be clear—this is war now. Cici’s gonna pay for what she did. As long as I’m in Denver, as long as I’m breathing, she’s not getting away with it p>

I gave him a bitter smile.

“And you? Keep living your sad little life. Some people aren’t dead, but they sure as hell don’t feel alive anymore p>

I took a step back and moved toward the door. But when I grabbed the handle, it wouldn’t budge. Locked.

“Ceceilia Xavier’s voice cracked, like it hurt just to speak. “I thought I could control everything. I thought I could move forward, and maybe—somehow—find my way back to us. But now… I don’t see a way back anymore p>

“Open the damn door!” I shouted, kicking it hard, trying to drown out his pathetic little speech.

He walked up beside me, and finally said what he really came for.

“Write a forgiveness statement for Cici. If you do, she’ll back off—and I’ll stay out of your life for good p>

I froze, staring at him like he’d lost his mind.

“Are you kidding me p>

He didn’t flinch.

“She was just an accomplice in the kidnapping, not the mastermind. If you forgive her—and with her current… condition—she might avoid doing any time. Her lawyer’s already working on it p>

SLAP!

I struck him across the face with all my strength, so furious I could barely breathe.

“Don’t even dream of it. I will never write any such statement. Not only will she go to prison, but I’ll make sure she rots there p>

He simply turned back to face me and continued, “Resolving this peacefully would be better for everyone. You can’t win this fight. In the end, you’ll be the one getting hurt p>

His voice dropped, low and sharp.

“If you’re counting on Alpha Sebastian Black to save you, don’t. If he really wanted to help, he would’ve done it already. He’s not serious about you—he’s just messing around. Now that he’s had you, he’s done p>

My whole body went cold.

He didn’t stop.

“You might not care what happens to you, but think about your parents. Your grandma. Your uncle p>

I stared at him, horrified, stepping back like I was looking at a monster. My hands were shaking. My voice cracked.

“Are you threatening my family p>

I thought I’d already seen the worst in him.

I was wrong.

“Just say yes,” Xavier said, his eyes dark but weirdly calm. Like he was hurting too—but hiding it.

He watched me like he was feeding off my fear. Like my anger was the only piece of me he still had.

I could barely breathe. My chest felt tight, like I was about to fall apart.

I looked around like I was searching for something—anything—to hold onto before I completely broke.

“Open the door.” A cold, commanding voice came from outside.

The sound washed over me like a purifying chant, clearing my mind.

The door opened.

Alpha Sebastian stood there, his imposing figure filling the door frame.

Behind him were a surprised Beta Sawyer and a guilt-stricken Jasmine.

Xavier turned to look, his eyes dead and empty.

I turned too, unable to hide my pale, desperate expression. The helplessness in my eyes must have been obvious—I felt like a small animal cornered by a forest fire.

“Strange way to have lunch behind locked doors,” Alpha Sebastian remarked coolly as he entered, stepping behind me and placing a steadying hand on my lower back. “Are you still hungry p>

I shook my head slightly.

The warmth of his palm against my back anchored me, making me feel like I was on solid ground again.

Steadying myself, I walked out.

“Are you okay?” Beta Sawyer asked quietly, concern evident in his voice.

I shook my head again and continued walking slowly down the hallway.

Beta Sawyer followed close behind.

Alpha Sebastian gave Xavier—who stood there like a walking corpse—a contemptuous glance. “And you still call yourself an alpha? After what you’ve done… you’re some piece of work p>

He turned and exited the room, taking long strides to reach me quickly. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

I shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the public display. “I’m fine p>

“What, are you competing for first place in stubbornness?” Alpha Sebastian interrupted, looking down at me as he tightened his hold.