LOGINAuthor's povAfter calming VanDyck down and making sure her mother was comfortable, Cecilia and her friends finally left Esther's hospital room.Then they found a nearby hotel.Her father stayed at the hospital to watch over Esther.Cecilia finally collapsed into bed. She was so tired she fell asleep right away.Later that morning at ten, they went back to the hospital.Esther was awake but sleepy from pain medicine.VanDyck looked terrible. His clothes were wrinkled from sleeping in a hospital chair all night."How are you feeling, Mom?" Cecilia asked. She took her mother's hand gently.Esther tried to smile. "I've been better, sweetheart. But don't worry about me.""The doctor says she needs to stay another day or two," VanDyck said. His voice sounded tired and rough. "The wound was deeper than they first thought."Cecilia nodded.For the next few hours, they stayed with Esther.They kept the conversation light and avoided talking about Alpha Sebastian or werewolves.Harper left to ta
Author's povThe moment Liam finished cleaning the kitchen, he saw the three women standing there looking worried.He walked over, sensing something was wrong."What's happened?" he asked, his voice calm but concerned."My mom's been hurt. I need to go to her," Cecilia replied, already heading inside to get her things.Liam's face immediately became serious.His eyes narrowed as he asked for details, and Harper quickly told him about the phone call they'd just received."I see," Liam nodded thoughtfully before going to his bedroom, clearly thinking through something.As Cecilia hurried downstairs with Harper and Yvonne, waiting for Yvonne's bodyguards to arrive, she saw someone who absolutely should not have been there—Tang, standing beside a car in the garage."Cecilia," Tang greeted her with obvious guilt in his voice."You—!" Cecilia felt her anger spike as she realized the truth.Alpha Sebastian had lied. He hadn't taken Tang with him at all.But she couldn't focus on her anger rig
Author's povThe new secretary was York.Alpha Sebastian knew that York had finally gotten over his emotional problems and didn't want him sitting around doing nothing.He planned to personally train York, taking him under his guidance.After York took over her job as Alpha Sebastian's secretary, Cecilia settled into a peaceful life before the baby came.The days were so peaceful that she felt like everything was back to normal.All those scary, confusing events seemed like nothing more than a strange dream.Even finding out she was the Locke family heiress felt unreal now.Her days became wonderfully routine: watching Alpha Sebastian leave for work each morning, spending time with her girlfriends, catching up on office drama from her former coworkers.Aside from quitting her job and being pregnant, her life hadn't changed much from what she'd always planned.Alpha Sebastian went with her to her doctor's appointment.Cecilia had been nervous, but maybe because she'd been feeling so muc
Author's povXenia'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 S
Author'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
Cecilia's povMy suggestion hung between us, and I watched as Sebastian's eyes shifted--from intense to something darker, hungrier. Almost feral.His Adam's apple bobbed in a slow, deliberate swallow that seemed to echo in the sudden silence. He didn't speak, didn't warn me--his hand came to my face
Cecilia's pov"I'm not entirely sure either," Yvonne replied, shaking her head slightly, a faint frown forming.Harper, who'd mostly come along for the adventure and the free champagne, looked around the room with zero recognition.Even without the masks, she wouldn't have known most of these women
Cecilia's povThe whiskey on his tongue made me feel dizzy and bold, my mouth opening for him without a single thought in my head.I was just a body against his, pliant and willing, letting him do whatever the fuck he wanted.My arms hung loose around his neck before tightening their hold."Upstairs
Cecilia's povThe second chime still rang in my ears as Mom crossed the room, muttering, "That must be Peggy."Peggy?My stomach did a small, suspicious somersault.Peggy Foster--my mother's longtime coworker and our neighbor. Sweet woman.The door swung open, and Peggy walked in with her warm smile







