<h4>Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Testing the Waters</h4>


    Author’s pov


    For the entire afternoon, Sebastian remained like a cier--unmoved, unthawed, relentlessly focused on work.


    He didn’t take his usual power nap, instead plowing through documents and calls with ruthless efficiency.


    Anyone who ventured into his office that afternoon--besides his still-recovering assistant and secretary--was met with a punishing wall of cold,pressed Alpha energy that sent them scurrying back out with their tails between their legs.


    By evening, he decided to visit his family.


    His father, Alpha Yardley, was in the study when he arrived.


    His mother, Luna Regina, was enjoying the cool evening air in the third-floor garden terrace.


    When she spotted her son, Luna Regina stood up, her face brightening. "What brings you here tonight? Did your father tell you? About bringing Amara back? You must be thrilled."


    Sebastian’s face remained expressionless. Not quite furious, but theplete absence of emotion coupled with those dark, prating eyes was unsettling enough.


    "Sebastian, why are you looking at me like that?" Luna Regina touched her face self-consciously.


    Sebastian gestured politely. "Please, sit."


    As his mother settled back into her seat, Sebastian joined her, perching on the edge of the chair opposite.


    "Have you eaten dinner? Would you like some honeydew?" She speared a piece of melon from the fruit tter and offered it to him.


    "Mother, I’ve found my mate," Sebastian said abruptly. "But I suspect you already know this."


    Luna Regina’s hand froze mid-air.


    Mother and son locked eyes.


    After several seconds of silence, Luna Regina nodded, forcing a smile. "Your father mentioned you and Secretary Moore are dating. I told him not to spread such rumors--the poor girl just got divorced. Gossip like this could damage her reputation."


    "Indeed," Sebastian agreed coolly. "Pursuing her, making her fall for me, and then failing to im her properly would be uneptable. That’s why I fully intend to make her my Luna."


    His final statement wasn’t posed as a question. It was a deration.


    Sebastian leaned back in his chair, his gaze dark and unwavering.


    Luna Regina sat frozen, as if her blood had stopped flowing.


    After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke.


    "Sebastian."


    His mother’s voice was calm, but it carried the weight of centuries.


    "I’m d you’ve found someone who stirs something in you. That’s rare. But since you’ve brought her to my attention, I feel it’s only fair I speak inly."


    She folded her hands, regal as ever.


    "Secretary Moore is beautiful. Polished. Your father says she’s sharp. And I’m sure she is."


    She paused. Long enough to let the next wordsnd like a blow.


    "But she’s human, Sebastian."


    No venom. Just fact.


    "She doesn’t understand our world. She can’t. She doesn’t know what it means to shift beneath a moon or to feel a bond wing at your spine."


    "You are heir to the ck bloodline. You carry the weight of the oldest pack in North America. And you think the world isn’t watching?"


    "We can’t afford to make mistakes. Not now. Not when the Council is already restless."


    Sebastian said nothing. He simply leaned forward, speared a piece of melon with his fork, and held it out to her.


    "So," he asked, voice cold as ice, "you’re saying she’s a mistake?"


    Luna Regina epted the fork and ate the melon slowly. "Truthfully, I know that even if I disapprove, you won’t listen. When you set your mind to something, nothing stops you."


    "And?" Sebastian pressed, his patience unending.


    "And so your mother is helpless," Luna Regina sighed. "Before you arrived today, I didn’t realize your feelings for Secretary Moore were genuine. I thought it was just rumors. You’ve suddenly presented me with such a big decision on me--surely you’ll allow me some time to process this."


    "You only learned about this today? Then why did you summon Amara back?" Sebastian’s gaze sharpened dangerously.


    Luna Regina’s eyes widened. "I didn’t summon her. She wanted to return herself--she’s been pestering your father about it for ages. Sebastian, you don’t actually think I called Amara back to cause trouble for Secretary Moore, do you?"


    "Didn’t you?"


    "Of course not! Amara wanted toe back on her own ord. Are we supposed to chain her legs and keep her away? Besides, if you care for Secretary Moore, then Amara means nothing to you now. You’ve moved on from her. What are you afraid of?"


    Sebastian gave a low, coldugh. "You’re right."


    He stood up, stretching slightly, and said with casual menace, "Now that we’ve reached this point, let me make my position clear. I hope you’ll convey this message to her--consider it a friendly warning."


    He turned to face his mother directly. "If she dares to cause any trouble, if she dares to harm Cecilia in any way, I will ensure she’s banished from Denver permanently."


    Luna Regina’s face paled. "Why are you being so cruel to her? You two used to be close. She only loves you--that’s not a crime."


    Sebastian didn’t bother arguing further.


    "I came today to hear your thoughts and gauge your position. Now I have my answer. I’ll be leaving." He turned and walked away.


    As he left his mother’s presence, his expression grew grave.


    This situation was moreplicated than he’d anticipated.


    On his way downstairs, Sebastian encountered Alpha Yardley emerging from the study.


    "Sebastian! Come join me for a game of chess," his father said cheerfully, reaching to p his son’s shoulder.


    Sebastian gave him an icy smile, brushing off his hand and continuing down the stairs without a word.


    Alpha Yardley froze in ce.


    His son rarely showed such open coldness toward him.


    This had to be about Secretary Moore!


    He nced downstairs, then hurried up to the third floor.


    Luna Regina sat there looking worried and upset.


    When she saw her husband, she went to him, burying herself in his embrace. "He threatened me."


    Alpha Yardley held her close andforted her before saying, "That boy is too clever. He knows perfectly well you called Amara back to interfere. Why not be straightforward with him? Tell him we disapprove, put pressure on him together."


    Luna Regina looked up at her husband. "We need to be smarter. We can’t confront him head-on. If we push, he’ll push twice as hard."


    "I’ve thought this through. We can’t force him. Secretary Moore seems more rational and clear-headed than our son. Let’s pretend to stay neutral while creating circumstances that make her realize the reality of the situation and leave Sebastian on her own."


    "Trust me, nothing we say will separate them. Only if Secretary Moore decides to end things will he have no recourse."


    He hesitated.


    Personally, Alpha Yardley didn’t think it was the worst thing in the world.


    If Sebastian was this far gone over someone, maybe they should just let him be happy.


    But he wasn’t about to say that out loud.


    Not unless he wanted to sleep in the guest room for the next month.


    So he cleared his throat and said, "Alright. We’ll do it your way. Just... don’t push it too far. He’s never been like this about anyone before. If we break them up the wrong way, we might break him along with it."


    Luna Regina scoffed, "It’s not that serious. He used to like Amara too, and eventually he stopped paying attention to her."


    At the mention of Amara, Alpha Yardley felt a headache forming.


    That girl was obsessed with Sebastian to an unhealthy degree.


    But now Sebastian was equally obsessed with Secretary Moore.


    This was going to be messy.