MasukAuthor's povThe next morning was bright and clear in Colorado Springs.Alpha Sebastian and Cecilia got up early and reached the Locke family house by seven.Martha Locke, the family elder, was already awake.When Alpha Sebastian and Cecilia walked into the dining room, they found Martha and Zane already sitting at the table.The air between mother and son felt ice cold. They clearly hadn't spoken a word to each other.The table was full of breakfast food. Fresh bread, fruit, and hot dishes filled the room with good smells.Martha's whole face lit up when she saw them. "Cece, Sebastian, you're here!" Her voice was warm and happy, completely different from the frozen silence before."Good morning, Grandmother," Cecilia said politely."Good morning, Grandmother," Alpha Sebastian said beside her.His voice sounded even more natural and loving than Cecilia's.Martha practically glowed with happiness.She looked at the beautiful pair in front of her. They looked like they belonged in a maga
Author's povCecilia’s patience snapped.She met his stare with eyes that held a cool, dangerous glint."There’s nothing to discuss, Xavier. I know what you’re going to say—that I should leave Sebastian, that you can offer me something better." She leaned forward, her voice low but clear."My answer is no. I love Sebastian. Only Sebastian. Accept that, and move on."Alpha Sebastian’s eyes glinted with satisfaction as he deliberately ignored Alpha Xavier ’s barely contained fury and smoothly changed the subject."Tang," he said, "what are your thoughts about last night’s events?"Tang looked up from the fruit platter on the coffee table, a piece of honeydew melon poised between his fingers.Last night’s events?Except for Cecilia and Cassian, everyone else seemed confused about which particular incident Alpha Sebastian was referring to.After all, last night had been a chaotic blur of ambushes and betrayals."I believe the ambush against Cassian and the kidnapping of Martha weren't done
Author’s pov"Besides working with you, I have no other options," he said, his gaze moving between Alpha Sebastian and Cassian.The desperation in his plea for alliance was unmistakable.Alpha Sebastian’s smile was warm and welcoming. "Alpha Gavin is a smart man. I’ve always thought highly of him."Surprisingly, Cassian, who was usually more friendly, did not smile this time.His face showed a little anger. "Let’s just hope he’s not too clever and tries to trick us.""I trust Alpha Gavin," Alpha Sebastian said clearly."I don’t," Cassian replied simply.Their different attitudes were very clear.Alpha Sebastian and Cassian were very close, so it was clear they were working together.They were playing good cop, bad cop.Alpha Gavin understood the game at once. "Thank you for your trust, Alpha Sebastian. And Mr. Locke’s worries are fair. I just want to know what I can do to earn your trust.""Trust is not a simple recipe," Cassian said slowly. "Building trust between us would be as hard
Author's povCecilia’s heart gave a sharp, hot thump."Then maybe I should warm my back instead," she teased softly, her voice barely above a whisper.She turned and buried her face against Sebastian’s chest, breathing in the clean scent that always clung to him.Her arms slipped around his waist, almost on their own.The sun stood high above them, but the real warmth came from him. It was not the kind that touched her skin. It sank deep into her bones.Alpha Sebastian ran his fingers through her hair. His voice was soft and calm."Stay like this for a while," he said quietly. "A bit of sunshine is good for you."--By noon, everyone had gathered in the dining room.The house, once quiet, now buzzed with voices and the sound of dishes.When Cecilia walked in, every head turned toward her."Cece, sit here," Luna Regina called with a smile. Her tone was gentle, and her eyes still showed a trace of emotion from earlier.That morning, Luna Regina had woken before sunrise and asked her husb
Cecilia's povWhen we reached our room, I collapsed onto the bed, my body finally surrendering to fatigue.Sebastian immediately knelt down, taking my feet in his hands to slip off my heels and replace them with comfortable slippers.As he did, one large hand gripped my calf while the other traced the curve of my waist, his tall frame moving over me.His palm cradled the back of my neck, and as I tilted my head up, his warm lips claimed mine.After only a second of surprise, I wrapped my arms around his neck, arching further into the kiss as our tongues tangled.I loved the way he kissed me. What had started as pure physical attraction had evolved into something more, silently seeping into my heart with each passing day."Mmm..." I moaned softly as he broke the kiss.I whimpered in protest, opening my water-glazed eyes and pulling him back by his shirt collar, pressing our lips together once more.Our breathing grew heavier, more urgent.Sebastian's long fingers, veins prominent with r
Cecilia's pov"Next time, please refrain from being so... creative," I said coldly, each word clipped, the edge in my voice sharper than I intended.What was she thinking?Harper’s loyalty was never in question, but her impulsiveness could get her killed.Xavier wasn’t someone you invited into your plans; he was the kind of man who turned alliances into weapons.And now Alpha Gavin was here too—proof that Xavier still kept one foot firmly in the White family’s camp, no matter what lines had been drawn.Xavier caught my guarded expression and seemed to read my thoughts.His jaw flexed once, and for a moment, something almost human flickered in his gaze."She's your best friend. I wouldn't harm her," he said quietly.I let out a cold laugh, ignoring his attempt at reassurance."What I'm curious about," I said, leaning back against the couch, arms folded across my chest, "is why Alpha Gavin decided to join your little expedition."The sound came out low and humorless.Xavier hesitated, hi
Cecilia's povI raised an eyebrow as I spotted her.So this was Remy's game.Alpha Sebastian walked toward the gathering.I hung back deliberately, knowing better than to follow too closely.This was supposed to be a wine tasting, but inserting myself would seem strange.One misstep and I might find
Harper's povMy heart pounded against my ribs as I raced toward Cecilia's apartment complex. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my stomach since our call disconnected.Unable to wait any longer, I called Alpha Sebastian again, knowing full well he wasn't a miracle worker and t
Cecilia's povBeta Sawyer's expression turned sheepish as he continued explaining my duties."You won't need to clean, of course. We just need to make coffee, steam suits, wake him up sometimes...""Wait," I held up my hand, my professional smile vanishing."Wake him up?Am I supposed to care about h
Cecilia's povI closed the door behind me with a soft click, my heartbeat quickening.I approached the large bed, stopping about three feet away, trying my best to appear professionally concerned. "How is your wound, Alpha Sebastian?"But my question hung in the air, unanswered.I stood there awkwar







