<h4>Chapter 85: Chapter 85 Twilight Games</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    "I’ll let him know," I said, firing off a quick text to Marcus with Alpha Sebastian’s response.


    Part of me wanted to warn Alpha Sebastian that Remy was up to no good.


    The sleazy older wolf clearly wanted to drag the powerful Silver Peak Alpha into his debauchery pit.


    But then again, Alpha Sebastian wasn’t exactly a naive pup who needed my protection.


    His intelligence far outweighed my concerns.


    "It’s still early. Let’s take a walk," Alpha Sebastian suggested, his deep voice breaking my concentration.


    I looked up from my phone, momentarily confused. "Oh, I’d rather stay in. It’s almost dark, and wandering alone in these mountains is pretty creepy. I’ll just hang out in the vi ."


    When I caught his expression—something between amusement and subtle disappointment—I suddenly realized what he meant. "Wait... you want to go for a walk together?"


    "One person wandering alone would be quite frightening," he replied, his tone deliberately mncholic.


    "...I’lle with you," I managed, my smile feeling more like a grimace.


    Seriously? Would it kill him to just say, "I’d like to go for a walk. Would you join me?"


    Like a normal person? Having a conversation with him was like solving a riddle—thinking you’ve got the right answer only to find out youpletely missed the point.


    His eyes swept over my pencil skirt and heels. "Change into somethingfortable and different shoes."


    Iplied without argument, heading to my guest room to switch into loose-fitting clothes and ts. When I returned, we set out around five o’clock.


    The mountain twilight was breathtaking.


    The setting sun painted the distant peaks in shimmering gold—nature’s own masterpiece unfolding before us.


    I followed behind Alpha Sebastian, surprised that despite his long legs, he maintained a leisurely pace that allowed me to enjoy our surroundings.


    "Have you ever heard of a particr legend?" His smooth voice drifted back to me as we walked.


    "What legend?" I asked, genuinely curious.


    "They say twilight is a supernatural hour—the witching hour. Creatures hiding in darkness emerge then, shape-shifting into human form or possessing actual humans who walk among us." His rich, velvety voice flowed like dark chocte, making even this eerie tale enthralling. "These creatures might suddenly call your name. If you answer them, they’ll devour your soul..."


    The mountain wind carried his words with mysterious undertones that sent a delicious shiver down my spine.


    I paused for a few seconds, then decided to go along with it.


    "Oh my god, that’s so creepy!"


    "There’s no need to be scared," he said casually. "It’s just an old story I thought you might find interesting."


    "It is interesting," I said. "But do they have to say your full name? What if they use a nickname or a title? Like—if a demon called out ’Mom’ and someone’s mother answered, would that still work?"


    I realized I sounded like a kid getting too excited during a campfire story.


    Alpha Sebastian smiled slightly.


    "Of course it would count," he said. "These creatures don’t just take over your body—they can also look like people you trust, just to trick you. Then they wait for the perfect moment to take your soul."


    "Stop, stop!" I eximed with exaggerated fear.


    He fell silent, seeming satisfied with my reaction.


    Internally, I rolled my eyes.


    Humoring the boss wasn’t beneath me.


    We continued walking.


    By now, the sun had sunk lower, spreading magnificent red and orange hues across the sky that made me momentarily forget everything else.


    Lost in the sunset’s glow, I barely heard Alpha Sebastian call my name.


    "Cecilia."


    His voice was unusually soft. I almost replied—then stopped, remembering the legend he’d just shared. My mouth opened, then shut.


    He waved a hand in front of me. "Hey. You okay?"


    I kept my gaze down, silent.


    "Cecilia?"


    "Ceci?"


    "I’m talking to you, Cecilia. What happened to your voice? Did a mountain lion steal your tongue?" He cupped my face with both hands, his voice yful and coaxing.


    "Why are you ignoring me? Oh, you’re not taking that legend seriously, are you?"


    I squeezed my eyes shut. Nice try, but he wasn’t going to trick me that easily.


    This was just a game, but I was determined not to lose. It was like ying red light, green light—all about endurance.


    Suddenly Alpha Sebastian started moving. My heart beat inexplicably fastened.


    His warm breath caressed my temple, then my nose, finally hovering at the corner of my mouth. His voice dropped to a husky whisper that the wind carried like a sensual promise.


    "Even if you don’t answer, I could still devour you... swallow you whole."


    Wait—that’s changing the rules!


    I opened my eyes in protest and found his devastatingly handsome face mere inches from mine, bathed in crimson sunset light.


    Something powerful held me in ce—my breathing spiraled out of control.


    We remained that way, so close that the slightest movement would bring our lips together.


    After what felt like an eternity, Alpha Sebastian straightened with what looked like reluctance, releasing my face.


    "You’re too difficult to fool," he sighed.


    He turned away, his eyes fixed on the dying sunset.


    Who said the witching hour was just a legend?


    My legs felt like jelly as I copsed onto a nearby bench.


    I touched my heated cheeks, my heart still pounding wildly in my chest.


    The man’spetitive streak was unbelievable! He’d stop at nothing to win!


    Thest sliver of light vanished beneath the horizon, and the temperature dropped suddenly.


    Alpha Sebastian turned to face me. "Let’s go. Time to meet the so-called real monsters."


    I rose unsteadily from the bench, thinking that after the scare he’d just given me, I hardly had energy left to deal with actual demons like Remy.


    Did this count as workce harassment?


    ...


    We returned to our vi and at 6:40 PM headed toward Remy’s residence.


    At the entrance, I stepped forward to ring the bell.


    Shortly after, someone opened the door—Remy’s female secretary whom we’d met during the previous dinner.


    Even the simple act of greeting guests seemed deliberately seductiveing from her.


    "Alpha Sebastian, pleasee in," she purred.


    Alpha Sebastian walked past without acknowledging her, while I exchanged polite smiles as we followed her inside.


    She led us to the vi’s central area—a massive hall big enough for dozens of people, connected to a mysterious garden and a heated infinity pool outside.


    The moment we entered, we were engulfed in a cloud of stale air—cigarette smoke, alcohol fumes, expensive perfume, and other less identifiable odors all mingled together.


    Alpha Sebastian’s brow creased slightly.


    "My dear Sebastian!" Remy rose from his seat, arms wide open. "Finally, you’ve arrived! I’ve been waiting with bated breath!"


    He approached us with excessive enthusiasm, his hand already moving to p Alpha Sebastian on the shoulder.


    This time, Alpha Sebastian smoothly sidestepped, causing Remy’s hand to grasp nothing but air.


    Remy’s face registered momentary embarrassment.


    Alpha Sebastianoffered a sardonic smile. "You’re certainly in high spirits, Remy. Brought quite the entourage with you.Must be exhausting—I heard you couldn’t even get out of bed today. Do take better care of your health."


    The color in Remy’s face shifted through various shades.


    His gaze shifted to me standing behind Alpha Sebastian, his smile turning calcting. "Cecilia, your Alpha isn’t feeling under the weather today, is he? Can he handle his drinks?"


    I returned his look with a professional smile. "That’s entirely for Alpha Sebastian to decide, Mr. Remy."


    "Well, I’m determined to get him properly drunk tonight," Remy dered.


    He gestured broadly. "Come, sit down. Let me introduce you to some friends."


    The FRIENDS he mentioned had all risen the moment Alpha Sebastian entered.


    These so-called industry elites now wore expressions of transparent sycophancy.


    The young women apanying them also recognized the powerful Alpha in their midst—especially one as young and handsome as Alpha Sebastian.


    They stood , while a few by the ss-enclosed heated pool peered in curiously in their swimwear.


    I discreetly surveyed the scene.


    I counted the women Marcus had mentioned—but there were only nine including Remy’s secretary.


    Where was the tenth?


    There she was—half-hidden by poolside greenery, like she just happened tond there without meaning to.


    White heels, smooth legs, and that practiced stillness of someone who knew exactly how she looked from every angle.


    Innocent? Maybe.