<h4>Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Unwee Gifts</h4>


    Author’s pov


    Alpha Xavier’s jaw was so tight, it could’ve cracked a granite countertop.


    Tension practically radiated off him like a walking storm of testosterone.


    An hour ago, someone had sent him a lovely little gift: a full-color photo spread of his mother cozying up to the boy toy she’d been secretly dating.


    He’d gone to all that trouble using Alpha Sebastian to get rid of Cici - only to end up with an even more chaos-wielding woman in their lives.


    Karma was truly a bitch with impable timing.


    Cici had wanted freedom that the White family couldn’t provide, so she’d sold her secrets to Maggie Locke.


    One mistake had snowballed into this mess - like a tick you couldn’t shake off once ittched onto you.


    Alpha Xavier took a seat across from Maggie, his face cold as winter in the Rockies. "What exactly do you want, Mrs. Locke? For me to rescue someone?"


    His voice dropped to a dangerous register. "Sorry, but that’s beyond my capabilities. I can’t help you."


    Maggie stroked her daughter’s hair, her movements calcted despite their apparent gentleness. "Xenia, sweetie, don’t you think this guy looks handsome?" she asked, pointing at Alpha Xavier .


    Xenia stared at Alpha Xavier with vacant eyes, looking confused by his sudden appearance.


    Alpha Xavier ’s brow furrowed with annoyance.


    But something shifted in his expression when he looked at the girl more carefully.


    For just a moment, recognition sh across his face - the girl’s confused expression reminded him of Cecilia’s sleepy, vulnerable morning face.


    "Don’t you think this guy looks very handsome too?" Maggie patiently asked when her daughter didn’t respond.


    Xenia nodded obediently but then lowered her head and whispered, "But that other guy looks better."


    Maggie’s smile tightened at her daughter’s preference.


    The temperature in Xavier’s eyes dropped several degrees.


    What exactly was this woman trying to aplish?


    ----


    Outside the restaurant, Alpha Yardley invited Zane Locke to continue their conversation at his office.


    As soon as the invitation was extended, Cassian shed that trouble-making grin of his. "I’d love to visit Sebastian’s office too," he drawled. "Maybe take a little nap while I’m there." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.


    Alpha Yardley froze. Literally froze. If looks could kill, Cassian would’ve been a smudge on the pavement.


    Sensing imminent death, Cassian backpedaled faster than a politician caught on a hot mic.


    "Kidding! Kidding. I’m not going. I’m gone."


    Then, leaning toward Sebastian, he stage-whispered, "But tell me that wasn’t the most genius distraction of all time. That’s all I got, though. You’re on your own now, bro."


    With that, he spun on his heel, tossed Sebastian a dramatic air-kiss like he was bidding farewell from a Broadway stage.


    " Sebastian by, I left you a present in your office! When I’m back from Australia, I’ll take you on vacation!"


    "CASSIAN LOCKE, YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Alpha Yardley bellowed.


    "Goodbye, Father," Alpha Sebastian said coolly, then nodded toward Zane Locke. "Mr. Locke."


    And then he gestured for Cecilia to follow.


    Cecilia respectfully said goodbye to both senior before hurrying after Alpha Sebastian.


    Zane Locke’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, something unreadable in his eyes.


    "She’s young enough to be your daughter," Alpha Yardley muttered while changing shoes. "Having inappropriate thoughts would be truly despicable."


    He clearly suspected the worst - first Zane had mentioned histe wife, now he was staring after Cecilia. It looked suspicious.


    "I would never..." Zaneughed, though there was something sad in it. "I simply find the child endearing. She genuinely does resemble Reba."


    "Cut the crap about Reba," Alpha Yardley snapped. "She’s been dead for years. She can’t see or hear your sentimental performance anymore."


    Cecilia’s pov


    On the way back, I was dying to ask about the Locke family.


    The tension from dinner still lingered in the air like a stubborn perfume.


    I stole a nce in the rearview mirror.


    Alpha Sebastian had his eyes closed, his strong profile rxed in what appeared to be meditation.


    But I was afraid he would take the opportunity to bring up other things...


    Stop it, Cecilia. Just stop.


    The Silver Peak Tower came into view, its ss facade gleaming in the afternoon sun.


    I remained tense the entire journey from car to elevator to his office door.


    Because he remained silent, his face unreadable.


    When I finally escaped to my own office, I copsed into my chair with the grace of a deting balloon.


    I had just begun to rx when my phone vibrated on the desk. A smile touched my lips when I saw the caller ID.


    "Miss Gossip Queen herself," I answeredzily. "Calling for thetest drama, I presume?"


    "The entire Denver supernaturalmunity is howling about Cici getting arrested in Boulder!" Yvonne’s voice practically vibrated with excitement. "Spill everything, girl. I want first dibs on this juicy story before it hits the pack grapevine."


    Since lunch break wasn’t over yet, I shared the details.


    The news would spread through pack channels regardless - might as well give the urate version.


    After hearing the full story, Yvonne whistled low. "Thank the Moon Goddess they locked her up. That psycho would have been trouble even if she had mated with Alpha Xavier. If he didn’t satisfy her crazy standards, she probably would have slit his throat during a full moon."


    I thought to myself: You’re underestimating Xavier. But none of that mattered now. Xavier was probably at home celebrating with his mother, raising champagne sses to Cici’s downfall.


    "Let’s hope justice is served this time," I said.


    "Why do you sound so drained?" Yvonne asked suddenly. "Wait - don’t tell me. It’s been too long since you had sex, hasn’t it? That’s why you sound so... pent-up."


    I nearly choked on air. "Excuse me?!"


    Seriously, was there a tone in my voice that screamed sexually deprived or something?


    Yvonne cackled so hard I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "Oh honey, you’re adorable. But you’ve got a whole walking, talking Alpha solution right in front of you, and you’re not using it. That’s just reckless."


    "New topic, please," I groaned, my face so hot I was probably steaming like a microwaved burrito.


    But Yvonne was already in full older-sister mode - relentless, inappropriate, and somehow always right.


    "I’m just saying, don’t be ashamed of your needs! Alpha Sebastian looks like he could - "


    "Stop. Right. There," I cut in, holding up my hand even though she couldn’t see me. "Fine. You win. I’m not ignoring my needs, okay? I’m... handling them."


    There was a pause. Then Yvonne’sugh turned lower. Silkier. More evil.


    "Ohhh. You mean you’re handling them yourself. Self-care queen. I get it."


    I buried my face in a throw pillow and prayed for the Earth to open up and swallow me whole.


    "Look," she continued, voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper like we were nning a heist, "if you’re gonna do it yourself, at least do it right. Want me to take you shopping? You clearly need some guidance - and babe, for these things, quality matters. Don’t skimp on silicone - quality matters here."


    My face went up in mes.


    My heart was pounding like she’d just suggested we rob a federal bank, not visit an adult boutique with mood lighting and discreet packaging.


    Still, I managed to squeak out, "Dinner’s on me tonight."


    "Oooh. Aren’t we eager?" she teased. "Someone’s feeling extra needy today."


    We quickly arranged a meeting ce.


    I learned that the restaurant was conveniently located near a discreet, high-end toy shop that catered specifically to supernatural clientele, which sent another wave of illicit excitement through me.


    Suddenly my office line rang.


    Seeing it was from the Alpha’s office, I pped my phone down on the desk in panic.


    Two secondster, I picked it up again and spoke with forced calm: "Sure, sounds good. See you then. Gotta go!"


    I hung up and immediately answered the office line. "Yes, Alpha."


    "Falling asleep?" Alpha Sebastian’s smooth voice came through, that slight Alpha timber making my wolf perk up.


    "...Just went to the restroom," I lied, praying he couldn’t somehow smell dishonesty through the phone.


    "Come to my office."


    Could I decline? Obviously not.


    With a pained expression, I responded professionally, "Of course, I’ll be right there."


    After hanging up, I let my forehead drop to my desk for three seconds of silent despair before standing up.


    I straightened my hair, grabbed my phone, and left my office.


    Before pushing open the Alpha’s door, I mentally prepared myself.


    When I entered, Alpha Sebastian was standing at the doorway of his private rest area, his expression unusually serious.


    He looked a little confused.


    "What’s wrong?" I asked, walking over and peering into the room.


    Alpha Sebastian ced his hand on my shoulder, drawing me closer.


    The heat of his touch sent shivers down my spine as he pointed toward the bed and whispered near my ear, "Something crawled under the bed. Would you check it out?"