<h4>Chapter 180: Chapter 180 A Woman’s Cry</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    I returned to the dining area, where Sebastian had already set a surprisingly elegant breakfast on the table: a fresh garden sd, perfectly fried eggs with runny yolks, toast with homemade jam, cold milk, and a delicate pastry that looked bakery-fresh.


    "This looks great," I said, sliding into my chair.


    I picked up my fork and knife, taking small, measured bites while trying to ignore the unsettling discoveries I’d made around his vi.


    Sebastian wasn’t eating. He just sat there watching me, his eyes tracking every movement I made.


    At first, I pretended not to notice, focusing on the food and avoiding his gaze.


    But as the silence stretched between us, I couldn’t ignore his unwavering stare.


    I touched my face self-consciously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"


    "I’m wondering why my brilliant secretary isn’t curious about where all this food came from," Sebastian said, his voice low and prating, the Alpha tone slipping into his words.


    Izily scooped a bit of pastry, feigning nonchnce while my heart hammered in my chest. "What’s there to ask? It obviously belongs to whoever lives here--to you."


    "You know I haven’t been here recently," Sebastian countered, his eyes never leaving mine.


    I smiled, the expression not quite reaching my eyes. "Well, you were herest night. You probably had your staff deliver it this morning." I stirred the cream on my pastry, pretending to be fascinated by the swirling patterns.


    "Cecilia!" His tone had shifted, an edge of frost creeping in.


    When I nced up, Sebastian’s expression had turned cold, his Alpha dominance radiating across the table.


    I put down my spoon and sighed dramatically.


    "For Moon’s sake, you’re impossible! I ask, you get mad. I don’t ask, you get mad. What is the winning move here, Sebastian?" The words came out sharper than I intended.


    Sebastian rubbed his brow, a gesture that made him look almost human for a moment. He let out a deep sigh, as if finally surrendering something precious.


    "My sister crashed herest month. That stuff? It’s hers."


    I blinked, genuinely surprised. "Your sister? Seriously?"


    I hadn’t even known he had one.


    For all the intimacy we’d shared, there were still fundamental things about him I didn’t know -- a realization that left me feeling suddenly adrift.


    He raised a challenging brow. "Don’t believe me? Want me to call her and put her on speaker?"


    His phone was already halfway out of his pocket, his thumb hovering over the screen.


    "Whoa, whoa--no need for a family conference call," I said hastily, waving my hands.


    Thest thing I needed was to speak with another ck family member, especially after what had just happened between Sebastian and me.


    His gaze sharpened, predatory and focused. "Then who did you think it belonged to?"


    I swallowed, suddenly feeling like I was the one on trial.


    "I just thought maybe... I don’t know. Maybe it was from a female friend of yours or something." I forced a casual shrug. "I just assumed... I don’t know. That you might have other...panions. It’s not a crime."


    Cold. That’s the only word for the look he gave me. Arctic-level cold.


    "Female friend?" he repeated slowly, like the words were foreign and distasteful on his tongue. "And you think that’s... normal?"


    I threw my hands up in frustration. "Okay, pause. What exactly am I supposed to think when I find a lipstick under your magazines and an earring by the piano? That you’ve taken up a secret hobby in women’s essories?"


    He didn’tugh. Not even a twitch.


    His jaw was locked so tight I could practically hear his mrs grinding, a low rumble building in his chest.


    I sighed, softer this time. "Look. I’m not trying to use you of anything. But if you’re seeing other people, I need to know." I met his gaze directly, summoning all my courage. "Because I don’t do love triangles. I don’t share. And I definitely don’tpete."


    A muscle jumped in his jaw. Once. Twice. The air itself seemed to thicken with the suppressed growl building in his chest, a stark reminder of the predator I was taunting.


    He didn’t say a word--just crooked his finger at me. "Come here."


    I hesitated, feeling the weight of themand. Then stood.


    But instead of walking toward him, I turned toward the door. "I’m gonna call a car, maybe grab some clothes. I need to go."


    I didn’t even make it three steps.


    Suddenly, I was off the ground--one strong arm under my legs, the other around my back--as he swept me up like I weighed nothing.


    "Sebastian! What the hell? Put me down!"


    I smacked his chest, but it was like punching a brick wall.


    He carried me effortlessly to the sofa, depositing me there before leaning down to capture my mouth with his.


    I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to create some distance between us.


    But Sebastian was determined, and my human strength was no match for an Alpha wolf.


    My resistance crumbled as his mint-vored lips pressed against mine, demanding and possessive.


    He was angry. Well, so was I!


    Frustrated, I bit down on his invading tongue.


    Sebastian winced but didn’t pull away. Instead, he deepened the kiss, the metallic tang of blood mingling with our shared breath as he continued to im my mouth.


    I meant to bite him again, to push him away, but something softened inside me, melting my resolve.


    My hands slowly moved to circle his neck, surrendering to the kiss, returning his passion with equal fervor.


    We embraced deeply, the intensity between us electric and addictive.


    Every touch, every taste of him was intoxicating, making me forget why I’d been upset in the first ce.


    "Ahhh--!"


    A woman’s sharp, startled scream suddenly pierced the air.