<h4>Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Tensions and Apologies</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    "Of course not. I understand," I said with a perfectly practiced smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.


    Beta Sawyer nodded in agreement. "I have no objections either."


    As if our opinions actually mattered.


    Alpha Sebastian had always done exactly as he pleased—that was simply how things worked in his world.


    I watched as his gaze darkened slightly, lingering on my face for a moment too long.


    He could probably see right through my fake smile.


    After what felt like an eternity, he waved his hand dismissively. "Both of you may go."


    Beta Sawyer and I turned to leave, almost reaching the door when Alpha Sebastian’smanding voice stopped us.


    "We’ll be workingte tonight. Beta Sawyer, order dinner. Cecilia, bring yourptop to my office shortly."


    We both froze in our tracks.


    Seriously? This high-energy day wasn’t over yet?


    I wondered if Vice President Wiley had left the building—I could use one of those heart pills right about now.


    Once outside, Beta Sawyer leaned toward me. "Prepare yourself mentally," he whispered. "Based on his usual overtime habits, don’t expect to leave before midnight."


    I smiled thinly. "I don’t mind workingte."


    What I minded was workingte with him.


    I massaged my temples, feeling the psychological pressure mounting.


    In a desperate attempt to stay alert, I downed another cup of coffee, ignoring my stomach’s immediate protest.


    Author’s pov


    As twilight fell over Denver, the city lights began to twinkle outside the windows of Silver Peak Pack headquarters, illuminating the urbanndscape below.


    Beta Sawyer returned with the food and arranged them in the break area.


    "Call Cecilia to join us for dinner," Alpha Sebastian instructed casually, not looking up from his documents.


    "Right away," Beta Sawyer responded, heading toward Cecilia’s office.


    When he extended the invitation, Cecilia’s expression twisted ufortably. "Actually... I’m on a diet," she offeredmely.


    Beta Sawyer gave her a knowing look—who would willingly choose to eat with their intimidating boss?


    "You should eat something," he advised. "Otherwise, he’ll ask questions."


    Cecilia’s pov


    The break room was stifling, the silence between the three of us thick and heavy.


    I pushed a piece of roasted chicken around my te, the sight of it making my already knotted stomach turn.


    That earlier Iced Americano was a mistake, leaving a sour, anxious pool in my stomach.


    His gaze—intense and always watching—felt like a physical weight on my barely touched food.


    "Not hungry tonight, Cecilia?"


    Alpha Sebastian’s voice cut through the quiet. I flinched internally.


    Just y along, I told myself. "...Just a bit. I had a gran bar earlier," I lied, the words feeling flimsy.


    To prove the point, I carved out a too-big bite of chicken and forced it down.


    It was like chewing on cardboard, each swallow a conscious, difficult effort against my rebellious stomach.


    The pressure in my abdomen tightened like a vise.


    Why are you doing this? a voice screamed in my head. Since when do you perform for him like a trained pet?


    The self-annoyance was sharp and sudden.


    I dropped my fork with a tter that was louder than I intended." I’m full. Please, continue without me."


    I didn’t wait for a response.


    I rose so quickly my chair legs scraped the floor, and I headed straight for the sanctuary of my office.


    Back in my office, I sipped water to settle my stomach, but it only made things worse.


    Each swallow felt like it might trigger the gag reflex that stubbornly refused to activate.


    When the clock indicated it was time, I reluctantly gathered myptop and made my way to the Alpha Sebastian’s office.


    His space was minimalist but elegant—arge executive desk and a set of leather meeting couches.


    I chose the couch, keeping as much distance between us as professionally possible.


    Alpha Sebastian worked me like a machine, passing files in an endless stream.


    Just as I finished reviewing financial statements, legal documents appeared before me. The work never stopped.


    By 11:30 PM, my eyes were burning. I discreetly reached for my eye drops, tilting my head back to administer them.


    "Cecilia," his voice suddenly called out.


    I startled violently, causing the eye drops to stream down my cheek just as I turned to look at him.


    Alpha Sebastian nced up with a document in his outstretched hand, catching sight of the liquid trailing down my face. His expression softened momentarily at what he misinterpreted as tears.


    "You don’t need to cry just because we’re workingte," he said with an unexpected gentleness in his voice.


    "I’m not crying!" I protested, mortified. "It’s eye drops!"


    "Ah," he acknowledged with understanding. "Here, review this next."


    I rose to take the document from him. As I reached for the papers, he said something that stopped me cold.


    "Cecilia."


    "Yes?" I answered automatically.


    Alpha Sebastian leaned back in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his fox-like eyes deep and unfathomable.


    He’d called my name but remained silent for what felt like an eternity.


    "I behaved inappropriatelyst night," he finally said. "I apologize for frightening you. Please don’t dwell on it."


    My fingers tightened around the document’s edge. My heart raced as I struggled to formte a response.


    "I apppreciate your apology," I finally managed, trying to sound natural.


    Azy smile curved his lips. "I haven’t made you ufortable at work, have I?"


    I forced myself to smile back. "Not particrly."


    "Don’t be afraid," he continued. "I’m not some criminal forcing himself on you. I won’t pressure you into anything you don’t want. If my actions caused you any difort, I apologize again. Can we pretend it never happened?"


    I nodded repeatedly, words tumbling out. "Yes, of course, that’s fine, yes, good."


    I retreated hastily to the couch with the document, suddenly understanding why he’d asked me to stayte. He wanted to clear the air between us.


    He’de to his senses, thankfully.


    I silently thanked Miss Hazel for capturing his attention.


    At least I’d misjudged him—he wasn’t trying to pursue multiple women simultaneously.


    He was rational, knew his boundaries, and respected mine.


    I exhaled softly and returned to my work, noticing I’d crumpled the corner of the document in my tight grip.


    I tried smoothing it out, but the wrinkles remained stubbornly visible.


    Oh well. I flipped the page in defeat, choosing to ignore it.


    At exactly midnight, Alpha Sebastian announced we could leave for the day.


    I moved my unfinished work back to my office, stayed a bit longer to organize things, then finally drove home.


    After a hot bath, I climbed into bed, but my stomach still wouldn’t settle.


    I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wishing I could just throw up and get it over with, but my body refused to cooperate.


    I rummaged through my medicine cab for some digestive tablets, finding nothing useful. My frustration doubled.


    In desperation, I changed clothes and headed out to find a pharmacy.


    Surely something would help.


    After driving around the neighborhood, reality set in.


    At 1 AM, no pharmacy would be open.


    I pulled over and rested my forehead against the steering wheel, my frustration giving way to mncholy as I stared out at the quiet night.


    Under the streemp, a swarm of tiny ck insects circled the light, while moths repeatedly crashed into it.


    "So stupid," I murmured, watching their self-destructive dance. "Don’t you know that light is deadly fire for you?"