<h4>Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Trapped with the Alpha</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    I stared at Alpha Sebastian in disbelief, pointing at myself. "Me? You want ME to check?"


    Was he serious?


    Sending a human woman to investigate some unknown creature lurking beneath his bed?


    "Cecilia, I’m scared," he murmured, his deep voice brushing against my ear like velvet.


    His breath was warm against my cheek, and his hand tightened around my shoulder - a strong, powerful Alpha suddenly iming vulnerability.


    The irony wasn’t lost on me. Six-foot-something of pure muscle and supernatural power, and he needed ME for protection?


    "I’m scared too!" I protested, trying to wriggle free from his grip.


    When I managed to break away and turn to escape, his hand caught my wrist. "Don’t run."


    In one swift movement, he pulled me back against his chest, trapping me in a circle of warmth and muscle.


    His broad chest made me feel impossibly small inparison, and his lips were suddenly dangerously close to my ear again.


    "What would I do if you ran away?" he asked, his voice a dangerous whisper. "I’m relying on you to protect me."


    My ears burned red hot. This was ridiculous.


    Someone needed to rein in this neurotic boss of mine.


    "Call Tang," I suggested, reaching for my phone. "He’d take on a bear if you asked him to."


    Before I could dial, Alpha Sebastian smoothly plucked the phone from my fingers and slipped it into his pocket. "He’s not in Denver."


    "Cecilia, be brave," he encouraged, his hands on my shoulders steering me toward the bedroom. "You can do this!"


    My expression must have been pure horror.


    Who knew what could be under that bed?


    My mind conjured images of rats, spiders, centipedes, bats, snakes...


    The rest area was dark, with ckout curtains drawn tight.


    The only light came from the dim sensormp by the bedside and what little filtered in from the doorway.


    Beneath the bed was pitch ck. I couldn’t see anything.


    "Go check," Alpha Sebastian urged, giving my waist a little push.


    I moved forward three inches, then immediately backtracked three and a half.


    He chuckled.


    "Can you at least describe what it looks like?" I asked nervously.


    "It moves," he replied simply.


    Ghosts move too, you know!


    My patience was wearing thin.


    "Wait, let me think..." Alpha Sebastian appeared to be making a genuine effort to recall details. "Furry. And quite small."


    Furry? Small?


    A rat.


    It had to be a rat - one of my greatest fears.


    Taking a deep breath, I grabbed his arm. "Alpha, be brave! Let’s call security!"


    I tried to make another escape, but before my feet could move, his hand firmly held my waist in ce.


    Alpha Sebastian looked at me with exaggerated resignation. "How about we be brave together? I’ll go with you."


    What do you mean you’ll go with me? This is YOUR rest area!


    Seeing he wasn’t going to let this go, I gritted my teeth. "Fine. Let’s go together."


    We both crouched down at the edge of the bed.


    I efficiently removed one of my high heels, gripping it like a weapon.


    My expression was tense and serious.


    Alpha Sebastian pressed his lips together, suppressing augh. "Quite the intimidating weapon you’ve got there."


    I was already nervous, and his teasing pushed me over the edge.


    I red at him, ready to quit this ridiculous task.


    Seeing my puffed-up anger, Alpha Sebastian gently patted my head. "Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you."


    He turned on his phone’s shlight and slowly moved the beam under the bed.


    My heart was in my throat.


    "Meow~"


    A tiny sound came from the darkness.


    There, in the corner, scared by the sudden light, was a little ball of fur.


    A round head with round eyes, a pink nose, short legs, golden fur on its back, and soft white fur from neck to belly.


    I melted instantly.


    Quickly setting down my "weapon," I held out my hand to the kitten, making my voice soft and coaxing. "Here, kitty. Don’t be afraid,e here..."


    The kitten, frightened by the light, refused toe out.


    I stood up from the bedside. "I’ll go buy some treats. When it smells food, it’lle out."


    Alpha Sebastian also rose, casually sitting on the edge of the bed. "Do you like this kitten, Cecilia?"


    "Of course I do. Who could resist such an adorable little creature?"


    I answered matter-of-factly.


    But then confusion set in. "Wait, where did this kittene from?"


    Alpha Sebastian shrugged. "Oh, I’m guessing it’s a gift from Cassian."


    My eyes narrowed slightly. A gift from Cassian to his lover? That man certainly knew how to charm.


    Alpha Sebastian lightly flicked my forehead with his finger. "Don’t overthink things."


    I rubbed my forehead indignantly. How was I overthinking?


    "Cecilia," he called suddenly.


    "Yes?" I looked at him.


    With him sitting down, my gaze could actually look downward for once.


    Those deep, warm eyes were staring right at me, like a swamp infused with sweet bubbles, swallowing me whole without warning, leaving me no escape.


    I felt like I was drowning.


    Any sense of ease instantly vanished.


    My heartbeat elerated from slow to rapid, like a drumbeat picking up tempo.


    "I have confidence in you," he said, his voice light yet captivating. "Do you have confidence you can win against Cassian?"


    My butterfly-like eyshes fluttered carefully, much like my tightrope-walking heart.


    I felt paralyzed.


    The atmosphere turned delicate and charged.


    After what felt like forever:


    "Oh, you’re talking about raising the cat!" I put on a look of sudden realization, but quickly followed with concern. "Actually, I once had a cat before. I raised it to be sleek and beautiful, loved by everyone, but then... it got feline distemper and died."


    "I cremated it myself, and was heartbroken for ages! I’m just no good at this!"


    "I give up!"


    Faking a devastated expression, I covered my face in pretend grief, using the moment to dash out of the rest area.


    I ran outside, leaving his office entirely.


    I went straight to the bathroom, sshing cold water on my face to calm my racing heart.


    One moment of carelessness and I’d fall right into his trap.


    And it was a double trap at that.


    Having confidence or not having confidence was just a smokescreen!


    No matter how I answered, I would’ve been acknowledging the rumors between us... and then I’d bepletely trapped in his verbal logic!


    Returning from the bathroom, I remembered I wanted to buy food for the kitten.


    I reached for my pocket.


    Where was my phone?


    ...Shit! Alpha Sebastian still had it!


    When I’d mentioned calling Tang earlier, Alpha Sebastian had taken it and never returned it.


    I knocked on the CEO’s office door again.


    Alpha Sebastian was sitting on the couch with the kitten in his arms.


    Man and cat were quite peaceful together.


    "Alpha, my phone please," I said, approaching him.


    Alpha Sebastian pulled it out.


    Just as he was about to hand it over, his phone buzzed with a flurry of notifications.


    He frowned. "Cecilia, your phone seems quite busy."


    I was confused too.


    But in the next moment, a flirtatious voice floated through my memory: I’ll have the boss send you some new styles first...