<h4>Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Not My Idea</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    "Not at all excited!" I wanted to scream. What did his dating life have to do with me?


    Instead, I stered on my most professional smile and elevated my response to corporate-appropriate titudes.


    "I’m happy for you, Alpha Sebastian. Your happiness is important to Silver Peak Pack. Everyone is looking forward to you finding your mate."


    Alpha Sebastian shut hisptop, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That was quite the speech, Cecilia. Ever work as a wedding officiant?"


    I bit back my irritation. His sarcasm was thick enough to cut.


    Let it go, I told myself. Remember how he helped you this morning.


    Everyone has ws, and his happens to be a razor-sharp tongue. I maintained my smile without responding.


    Alpha Sebastian rose and headed for the door. I followed at a respectful distance.


    We stepped into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, silence settled between us, heavy and awkward. The kind of silence that filled every inch of space and left no room to breathe.


    I kept my eyes on the numbers blinking overhead, counting down the floors like a lifeline.


    Then, without warning, a low, pained groan broke the stillness.


    Startled, I looked up.


    Alpha Sebastian swayed forward slightly, shoulders tense, his hand bracing against the wall. For a split second, I thought he might copse.


    I rushed forward to support him, genuine concern flooding through me. "Alpha Sebastian, what’s wrong?"


    He lowered his gaze to meet mine, his expression contorted with what appeared to be unbearable pain. "Did you poison that pin before you stabbed me?"


    I stared at him in disbelief, so speechless I could have swallowed my own tongue.


    "If you’re trying to avoid your arranged mating," I finally managed, forcing augh, "please don’t use me as your excuse."


    Alpha Sebastian frowned. "Cecilia, I see now that your concern for me is entirely fabricated."


    I remained silent for two beats, then sighed. "I can’t be your shield. If you don’t want to go, talk to your mother yourself. My shift is ending anyway."


    He held my gaze until the elevator doors opened.


    Then he straightened, resuming his aristocratic bearing as he walked out, murmuring just loudly enough for me to hear, "So determined to send me off to this mating, aren’t you?"


    [Seriously? How many times did I need to repeat myself? It was his MOTHER’S idea, not mine! Why was he so insistent on making this my responsibility?


    Being the boss didn’t give him the right to be unreasonable!]


    In the parking garage, Tang was waiting by the car.


    Once we were inside, he asked, "Back to the apartment, Alpha Sebastian?"


    "No, Alpha Sebastian has a mating arrangement tonight," I answered, giving him the restaurant address.


    Tang’s eyes widenedically in the rearview mirror. "A mating arrangement? And you’re... going with him?"


    I simply smiled and gestured for him to drive.


    Alpha Sebastian closed his eyes as soon as he settled into the backseat.


    His pale, handsome face seemed surrounded by a cial mist—like a reluctant aristocrat forced into a social engagement: mournful, yet unable to refuse.


    I felt genuinely helpless.


    This morning I had nned to exin things to Wiley, who assured me everything was fine.


    Yet somehow the gossip had reached Luna Regina and Alpha Yardley, and now we were in this situation.


    My phone vibrated.


    Harper had sent me an audio recording.


    This girl was absolutely eager to share her findings.


    I put in my earbuds and pressed y.


    "This is from Madam Amber," Mrs. White’s voice came through, tight and serious. "It’s meant to keep you grounded. Wear it, Cici. Just... wear it."


    Cici scoffed. "That looks like something you’d find at the bottom of a thrift store bargain bin. I’m not wearing it."


    "It’s not about how it looks," her mother snapped. "It’s about protecting you. After what happened with Mason—"


    "Oh my God," Cici cut her off. "Not this again. Mason is dead. That Chapter is closed."


    "No, it’s not," Mrs. White said, her voice lowering. "You think what you did doesn’t leave a trace? People talk. Families remember. idents like that don’t stay buried forever."


    There was a pause. You could hear tension crackling through the silence.


    "I’m asking you to be careful," Mrs. White continued. "If you want a future with the Blood Moon Pack—if you want them to trust you—you can’t afford any more mistakes. Just wear the damn charm."


    Another pause.


    Then Cici replied, her voice t. "Fine. I’ll wear it. Happy?"


    Then she added, colder this time: "But if anyone tries toe after me—Mason’s family, his friends, whoever—I won’t just defend myself. I’ll end it. I did it once. I’ll do it again."


    The recording stopped.


    So his name was Mason.


    And her? A girl with no remorse. A maniptor, maybe worse.


    I texted Harper back,pletely absorbed in our conversation.


    "Cecilia! Cecilia!" Tang called urgently from the front seat.


    I looked up. "Yes, Tang? What is it?"


    Tang darted his eyes meaningfully toward the rearview mirror. "Maybe you should put away your phone and... enjoy the view outside?"


    I frowned in confusion before understanding dawned.


    I quickly tucked my phone into my purse.


    A nce in the rearview mirror confirmed my suspicion—Alpha Sebastian was now wide awake, watching me with stormy eyes.


    Ten minutester, we arrived at the restaurant.


    After exiting the car, I reminded Alpha Sebastian of Miss Hazel’s name and their table reservation.


    "I have the memory of a goldfish, Cecilia," he replied coolly. "Perhaps you should remind me every three seconds, lest I get lost in the restaurant."


    I closed my mouth. Clearly, today I could do nothing right in his eyes.


    I waited a minute after he entered before following, selecting a table not too far from his.


    Alpha Sebastian had already reached their designated spot.


    Across from him sat a woman in a nude-colored evening dress, with waist-length golden hair that flowed like silk.


    Her demeanor was refined and graceful—clearly a well-bred woman from a prestigious family.


    Luna Regina had excellent taste.


    Alpha Sebastian was ordering, politely inquiring about his date’s preferences.


    Every gesture exuded effortless elegance.


    Hazel’s eyes sparkled with excitement, though she maintained aposed exterior, responding with dignified restraint.


    After ordering, she initiated conversation.


    Alpha Sebastian engaged with gracious attentiveness, humble and gentlemanly in his responses.


    Hazel appearedpletely enchanted. She was smitten.


    I watched her discreetly snap a photo of him, likely nning to show it off to her friendster.


    Meanwhile, I ordered an abundance of food.


    My morning anxiety over Alpha Yardley potentially summoning me had ruined my appetite at lunch, but now that I was past caring, I could finally eat properly.


    I enjoyed my meal at a leisurely pace, asionally ncing their way.


    Things seemed to be progressing smoothly.


    My phone buzzed again with another message from Harper. Apparently, Cici had arrived at Xavier’s ce and was behaving erratically again.


    Harper: I think Xavier is being threatened. What if this psycho eventually kills him too?


    I couldn’t be bothered to form an opinion.


    Whether he was being threatened, imprisoned, or ughtered, I had more sympathy for a stray dog than for him.


    I continued eating and texting,pletely neglecting my forced role as dating consultant.


    Alpha Sebastian cast a nce in my direction. I was happily eating while scrolling through my phone.


    My mouth wasn’t idle, my hands weren’t idle, and my eyes weren’t idle—I was too busy to pay him any attention.He sighed inwardly.


    "Alpha Sebastian," Hazel said, leaning forward slightly, "there’s an art exhibition this Saturday. Would you have time to attend with me? I’d love for us to go together."


    Her invitation was direct. Clearly, she had no intention of letting such a perfect specimen slip away.