<h4>Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Campus Memories</h4>
Cecilia’s pov
"You - " I gasped, feeling a sudden flutter of panic in my chest.
Xavier’s face darkened to a dangerous shade.
His jaw clenched so hard I could almost hear his teeth grinding.
Was he seriously this threatened by Sebastian? The thought sent a strange thrill through me.
"Not him," Xavier growled. "Anyone but him."
I gathered myself quickly. "Yes, him."
"He’s off-limits!" Xavier’s eyes shed amber.
"He’s perfectly suitable," I countered evenly.
"Suitable? How the hell is he suitable?" Xavier’s voice rose, attracting nces from passersby.
"In every way that matters," I replied, my voice deliberately light and airy.
Something wild shed across Xavier’s face.
His hands flexed at his sides like he was imagining them around someone’s throat.
I took two cautious steps back.
Yes, Sebastian’s arrival had emboldened me, but Xavier in this state was still dangerous.
If I had the physical strength to match him, I wouldn’t be dancing around his ego like this.
But beneath myposed exterior, fear still pulsed through my veins.
A warm, strong hand settled against my lower back.
Sebastian had appeared beside me, his palm sliding protectively around my waist, pulling me slightly toward him.
His face remained cold, but his voice softened a fraction when he spoke to me.
"Don’t put weight on your injured foot," he murmured, the concern in his voice genuine.
My heart skipped a beat.
I tilted my head back to look at him just as he lowered his gaze to mine.
Our eyes met, and something electric passed between us.
"Lean on me," he continued, his voice a low rumble meant only for me. "Then we can discuss with Alpha Xavier exactly why I’m perfectly suitable."
I pressed my lips together, fighting a smile as warmth bloomed across my cheeks. The heat rising to my face felt as obvious as if I’d been ced over an open me.
Xavier looked ready to shift and tear something apart.
"Alpha Xavier appears to have lost interest in this little field trip," Sebastian observed casually. "The sun’s setting anyway. There’s really no point now." Without warning, he bent down and swept me into his arms.
In the middle of a public street!
My mind screamed in embarrassment even as my body betrayed me by melting against his chest.
"I can walk - " I protested weakly.
"You’re too slow," he replied simply.
Well... I couldn’t argue with that.
Sebastian turned and began walking away with me in his arms, his stride confident and unhurried.
Xavier’s voice rang out behind us, dripping with mockery. "Did I miss the memo? Since when does Alpha Sebastian turn in before midnight? Thought you were the type to chase the dawn, not hide from it."
Sebastian paused mid-step.
I shot him a look that said: * I told you this overgrown wolf wouldn’t give up easily.*
"Perhaps we should humor him," Sebastian suggested, his tone almostpassionate. "Mr. Green seems fixated on this. I’d hate for him to do something... regrettable."
He turned back to Xavier. "If you’reing, let’s go. We’ll take my car. It’s more spacious."
Without waiting for a response, he continued toward his vehicle, carrying me as effortlessly as if I weighed nothing.
Xavier stalked after us, his scent still agitated.
Sebastian opened the passenger door and gently lowered me inside, closing it with care before walking around to the back seat.
Xavier yanked open the door on the opposite side and climbed in, practically radiating hostility.
The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating.
I caught Sawyer’s panicked eyes in the rearview mirror.
On Moon Goddess, I wanted to escape too.
"Drive to the school next door," Sebastian instructed from the back seat.
"Yes, Alpha," Sawyer replied, starting the engine and carefully steering toward the high school.
After some discussion at the entrance gate and contacting a former teacher, we were permitted entry with strict instructions not to disturb the students.
The tree-lined pathway through campus felt eerily different at night.
The aged buildings and towering trees created an almost supernatural atmosphere in the darkness.
Combined with the tension inside our vehicle...
As we glided slowly past the shadowy buildings, I half expected something sinister to emerge from the darkness.
The silence was finally broken by Xavier’s low, pointedment, "Cecilia and I used to walk this path together every day."
Sebastian let out a softugh. The kind ofugh that came with a dagger.
"Oh? What, did the other students take an underground tunnel to avoid the awkward third-wheeling?"
Xavier’s scent spiked with irritation. "What I mean is that we were each other’s first loves. We fell for each other right here."
"How poetic." Sebastian replied with elegant disdain. " And here I thought your strategy was to lead with facts, not nostalgia and teenage hormones."
The two Alphas locked eyes in the darkness of the backseat, the air between them practically crackling with hostility.
I sat rigidly in my seat, saying nothing.
Sawyer gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles whitened.
"STOP THE CAR!" Xavier suddenly bellowed.
Sawyer flinched, the vehicle jerking slightly, but he didn’t stop.
He was waiting for his Alpha’smand, not Xavier’s.
I twisted in my seat, my voice ice-cold. "Xavier, cut the theatrics. You’re on school property, not the set of a teen soap. You’re the CEO of Blood Moon, not a toddler pitching a fit in Target."
He leaned forward like he was about to try charm for a change. Big mistake.
"I just want to walk around a little,"he said, all fake-sweet. "The academic buildings are right up ahead - I could carry you, if you’re tired. Remember how we used to - "
"No," I snapped. "I don’t remember anything."
My voice was sharp enough to slice through steel.
"Xavier. That past died a long time ago."
"You’re just a faded photograph in my brain, and honestly, I should’ve burned it."
The words hit him like a p. He reached for me - fingers curling like he didn’t quite know if he wanted to hold me or hurt me.
"Cecilia,"he said hoarsely. "How can you be so heartless?"
Before he could touch me, Sebastian intercepted his hand.
I startled, instinctively shrinking toward the door.
Sebastian firmly gripped Xavier’s wrist. "Even if you forced her into submission, she would never love you again."
"Why can’t you ept reality, Alpha Xavier ?" Sebastian’s voice was dangerously calm.
Xavier snarled and violently wrenched his arm free, causing Sebastian’s hand to m against the window with a sharp crack.
The sound made me flinch.
I whirled around, fear and anger colliding in my chest. "Stop it right now!"
I was terrified Xavier might attack Sebastian.
Once wolves started fighting, someone always got hurt.
I couldn’t bear the thought of Sebastian being injured.
Furious but trying to be reasonable, I addressed Xavier directly. "Didn’t you promise we would just drive through like old ssmates? Didn’t I agree to that? Can’t you keep your word for once? Can you control your temper for five minutes?"
Sebastian was rubbing his wrist in the backseat.
When he saw me defending him, a subtle smile curved his lips, his eyes warming in a way that made my heart skip.z
Xavier had no response to my usations.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain hisposure.
This clearly wasn’t how he’d imagined this little trip would unfold.
He took me back to where we first fell for each other and wanted those memories would soften my resolve.
He truly believed I couldn’t havepletely let go of our past.
I had loved him once. We had been in love. But that was just the past.
By now, the car had glided past the tree-lined path.
Xavier nced out the window and spotted arge artificialke.
Something flickered across his face, and he insisted that Sawyer stop the car.
This time, Sebastian nodded his permission to Sawyer.
"Alpha Xavier," Sebastian said with false cordiality, "this is the finalndmark on campus. Beyond this point, we’ll need to turn around. If you have anyst wishes - pardon me - requests, please state them now. Otherwise, it’s time to head back."