LOGINAuthor’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
Author's povTang stood frozen for a moment, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm, the last traces of lethal energy still clinging to his skin like static after a storm.At the sound of their concerned voices, the sharp edge in his eyes dulled, and the tension slowly drained from his shoulders."I'm fine," he said flatly, his voice low but clipped, the kind of tone that made everyone hesitate to press further.Cecilia pointed at the crimson stains on his clothes, her finger shaking. "Then whose blood is that?""Someone else’s," Tang replied, his face carefully blank.Only the tightness around his jaw betrayed the lie he clearly didn’t want to explain."Thank the goddess," Cecilia breathed out, pressing a hand to her chest. "What about the two guards protecting my grandmother? Are they alright?"A flicker of darkness crossed Tang’s eyes, but his tone stayed deliberately calm. "Nothing serious. They’re injured, but not fatally. They’ll need time to recover, that’s all."Cecilia
Cecilia's povThe guests began to drift out of the main house, their cars already waiting along the circular drive.The elders boarded first, while family representatives traded polite goodbyes with Cassian, who was coordinating everyone’s departure.Soon the driveway was thinning out, headlights winking into the distance.The Cole family’s cars were the first to roll out, followed by the Lawson convoy. Sebastian had arranged for his parents and siblings to leave ahead of us and made sure Helena had a private ride back to her hotel."Grandmother," I said, leaning toward her window, "I’ll visit you in the morning."Helena smiled, her eyes soft. "Sweetheart, don’t worry about us. Have breakfast with Martha instead. She’s missed you for years.""But Grandmother—""Hush." Her smile deepened, lines crinkling at the corners. "Spending time with the Lockes doesn’t change who you are. You’ll always be our family. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters."My eyes stung unexpectedly."W
Cecilia's povThe tension in the car was suffocating, thick enough to cut through.I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching the jagged skyline blur past, pretending I couldn't feel Sebastian sitting inches away, silent and unreadable.By the time we pulled up to the house, I practically jumped o
Sebastian's povI watched her for a long moment, my expression flat despite the war going on just beneath the surface."My arm's getting tired," I said, tone even."No, it's not," she murmured, eyes half-lidded."The water's cold now.""Nope," she insisted softly, her head lolling against the edge o
Cecilia's povThe guests who had followed us descended into panic the moment they realized we couldn't exit."Mrs. Dahlia!" The Real VIP exploded, her usual poise gone. "What exactly is this? Are you trying to kidnap us?"Harper glanced up, her jaw set with tension. "Looks like kidnapping was the pl
Cecilia's povI watched as Evelyn and Vance approached, and to my surprise, I felt myself tense up a little.Evelyn always had this unsettling grace--like she knew everyone's secrets and kept them in alphabetical order.Evelyn didn't hesitate. She walked straight up and said, "Sebastian, I'm so sorr







