<h4>Chapter 127: Chapter 127 Could You Ask Him To Leave?</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    No! I couldn’t let myself be enchanted again.


    "I should get going. See you Monday," I said, turning away quickly, desperate to escape the dangerous maic pull of Alpha Sebastian.


    Summer was definitely peak season for the lovestruck, and I was not about to be another casualty.


    I hurried a few steps, frantically waving for Harper and the others to follow.


    We had nearly reached the gate when Alpha Sebastian’s deep voice called out behind us. "Wait."


    Everyone froze in ce.


    Alpha Sebastian approached with measured steps, his dark prating eyes fixed on me. "Running into each other in this little vige must be fate. I’m just sitting around with nothing to do anyway. Why don’t I join you on your visit to your friend’s house?"


    I stared at him, speechless.


    Harper and the others looked equally stunned.


    You’ve got to be kidding me. Of all the times to be bored...


    I desperately hoped he wouldn’te, but who could stop him? Even Tang, who had just threatened a massive dog, turned into apliant puppy around him!


    Nicole peered nervously at Alpha Sebastian from the corner of her eye.


    She tugged at Harper’s sleeve and whispered, "Is the Alphaing with us? Does he know about... our situation?"


    The poor girl was clearly intimidated by Alpha Sebastian’s overwhelming presence. His eyes seemed to see straight through people, dissecting their very souls.


    Harper patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry. He doesn’t know anything. He’ll probably just stay for a little while."


    "But - " Nicole protested weakly.


    "If you don’t want him toe, you’re wee to tell him yourself," Harper challenged.


    Nicole shook her head vigorously. "No, no. It’s fine. He cane."


    Alpha Sebastian’s gaze drifted over to the whispering pair, a knowing half-smile ying on his lips.


    He instructed Beta Sawyer to remain at the farmhouse.


    "Alpha Sebastian, you’lle back for dinner, won’t you?" the farmhouse owner called out. "I’ve prepared some excellent food and wine."


    "Of course," Alpha Sebastian replied smoothly.


    Our group of five had somehow be six as we left the yard. Nicole led the way, while Alpha Sebastian effortlessly glided to my side.


    Levan attempted to wedge himself between us, but Harper yanked him back by his ear.


    "He has his eye on Cecilia," Levan muttered under his breath to his sister.


    Harper dramatically patted her brother’s cheek. "Wow, my little genius finally figured it out. Took you long enough."


    Levan’s face fell.


    Tang pped the dejected young man on the shoulder. "Path’s too narrow, kid. Know when you’re beat."


    Their whispered conversation carried clearly in the quietne - Tang wasn’t even trying to be subtle.


    I kept my eyes fixed ahead, pretending not to hear every word.


    Then Alpha Sebastian leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. "So who are you rooting for?"


    "Rooting for?" I stalled, my mind racing. "In... in what? The annual pumpkin growing contest? I haven’t seen the entries yet!"


    I quickened my pace, putting some much-needed distance between us.


    Author’s pov


    Nicole led us to thest house at the edge of the vige - a weathered two-story structure whose overgrown yard stood in stark contrast to the manicured property we’d just escaped.


    "This is my uncle’s ce," she announced, pushing open the creaking gate first.


    An elderly woman was sitting on the porch steps, methodically peeling a winter squash with a knife. She squinted against the sun, her face breaking into a wide, wrinkled smile when she recognized Nicole. "Well, I’ll be. Is that our Nicole?"


    "Hey, Grandma," Nicole said, her smile softening in a way I hadn’t seen before. "It’s me."


    "What brings you all the way out here? And you’ve broughtpany!" the old woman eximed, wiping her hands on her apron as she rose.


    "Just showing my friends around the countryside," Nicole exined smoothly. "Thought we’d stop by."


    "Well, don’t just stand there in the heat! Come on in, all of you," she insisted, shooing us toward the door with warm, bustling energy.


    They settled around a rustic wooden table with long benches on either side.


    By some unspoken agreement, everyone directed Alpha Sebastian to the seat against the wall facing the doorway - the spot that naturallymanded the room.


    When Levan called for Cecilia to sit by him, Alpha Sebastian smoothly intercepted.


    "Growing boys need their space," he said, steering Cecilia firmly toward the bench beside him instead.


    Shended hard on the narrow nk.


    Ever had the distinct pleasure of having your backside meet a twelve-centimeter-wide wooden board? It felt like being whacked with a paddle.


    Nicole’s grandmother appeared,ying out a spread of proper hospitality - steaming tea, homemade candies, fresh berries, and warm scones.


    The whole scene gave Cecilia a strange sense of déjà vu, reminding her of that wedding she’d attended with her grandmother years ago, where the bride and groom held court from the seat of honor...


    She rubbed her temple, trying to appear rxed despite her difort.


    "These are fresh from the oven - my famous rosemary potato rolls," the grandmother announced, cing a woven basket of steaming, herb-speckled bread on the table.


    Harper’s eyes lit up. "They smell amazing."


    "Weren’t you justining about your stomach?" Cecilia whispered. "Maybe don’t push your luck."


    "Yeah, you’re right," Harper sighed, though her eyes remained fixed on the basket.


    "Oh, they’re quite gentle on the stomach," Nicole assured them. "The rosemary is from our garden, and Grandma’s recipe has been in the family for generations."


    To demonstrate, she took one herself, carefully lowering her mask to take a small bite. The warm, earthy aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.


    A murmur of appreciation moved through the group.


    Cecilia epted one to be polite, cing it on her te but making no move to eat it.


    "Where’s Uncle and the others?" Nicole asked her grandmother.


    "Oh, they went to a wedding banquet in the next town. They won’t be back until veryte."


    "A wedding banquet?" Nicole looked surprised, then exchanged a nce with Harper. "What should we do now?"


    Harper shook her head slightly, indicating it wasn’t a problem.


    She no longer ced their hopes on finding what they needed on their own.


    Mrs. White and Cici were already on their way. Tonight they would wait, but tomorrow night was their deadline. They had to make their move then.


    Still, if they could find something sooner, all the better.


    The grandmother returned to her winter melon in the yard.


    Nicole whispered to Harper, "Since we’re here anyway, maybe I should ask my grandmother?"


    Harper nodded. "Good idea. Should Ie with you?"


    "No need. You all stay and enjoy. I’ll go ask her."


    Nicole went outside while the others remained seated in awkward silence.


    Alpha Sebastian’s gaze wandered to the dust-covered windowsill.


    Cecilia and Harper exchanged meaningful looks.


    Tang excused himself to use the bathroom and promptly disappeared.


    About twenty minutester, Nicole returned, her eyes bright with excitement.


    She whispered to Harper, "My grandmother says there are several ces around here that match the description. She told me everything she knows, and I wrote it all down. Should we go check them out?"


    Harper pulled her to the side door. "How many ces are we talking about? Are they far?"


    "Grandmother knows of three. They’re not far - one is in this vige, and the other two are in nearby viges. I’ve noted down the vige names and general directions. If we hurry, we can see them all before dark."


    Harper took Nicole’s notes and photographed them. "Let’s go then."


    As Harper turned to head back inside, Nicole grabbed her arm, casting a nervous nce toward the house. "What about the Alpha Sebastian? Does he have toe too? Could you ask him to leave? Please? He scares me."