<h4>Chapter 310: Chapter 310 Tense Meeting</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    Sebastian nced at my phone and let out a soft chuckle.


    "Yep, that’s Zaria’s number. Looks like my mom’s finally surrendering."


    I took my phone back, giving him a look that screamed, Don’t get cocky.


    "Don’t celebrate just yet. Could just be a disguised business meeting."


    I bit my lip and muttered under my breath,


    "Or a softunch for emotional warfare."


    "Maybe she’ll slide a check across the table like we’re in some legal drama. I wonder what she thinks I’m worth."


    Sebastian stood, leaned down, and tapped my forehead lightly.


    "So, between me and a nk check, you’d pick the money?"


    I raised my brows and gave him my best "are-you-for-real" face.


    It clearly said: Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t take the cash?


    Then Iughed, softening the mood. I poked him in the chest with one finger.


    "Oh, don’t ask me questions like that. Would you even believe whatever answer I gave you?"


    I cleared my throat, lifted my chin, and put on my most dramatic voice.


    I even ced a hand on my chest like a martyr about to deliver her final speech.


    "Absolutely not! I have zero interest in money. Why settle for financial freedom when I can have your charming personality and emotional baggage?"


    His eyes narrowed, yful, but his mouth curved into a smirk that said he was seconds away fromunching a wittyeback.


    Before he coulde up with a smart reply, I was already halfway down the hall, his deepugh following me like a shadow.


    --


    By evening, the sky was all red and gold. It looked like it was lifted straight from a disaster movie.


    The kind where everything looks beautiful right before it burns.


    I sat stiffly in the car next to Sebastian, spine straight, hands folded in myp like some kind of debutante.


    My posture was wless, but itpletely betrayed how nervous I actually felt.


    My stomach had tied itself into three knots, and no amount of deep breathing was helping.


    I kept reying every possible conversation opener his mom might throw at me.


    "Cece, want a Coke?" Sebastian tilted his head toward me, a trace of concern behind his usual smirk.


    It took me a second to register the question.


    "No, thanks. I’m good," I said, trying to sound breezy but failing miserably.


    He reached into the mini fridge, grabbed a can of Coke, and poured it into a ss like some overly trained hotel waiter.


    "Drink it anyway," Sebastian said, cing the ss gently in my hand."You’ll need the sugar in case my mom goes full Luna mode."I took the drink, let out a dramatic sigh, and stared at the bubbles like they had answers.


    If it weren’t for him, I’d probably be lounging on my apartment couch, single, rich, and sipping overpriced cocktails—blissfully unaware of any werewolf drama.


    But here I was, heading into a house full of power ys and polite threats.


    I took a long sip, already bracing myself.


    So this is love, huh?


    --


    Half an hourter, we pulled up to the ck family’s ce.


    The house itself was mostly white, sleek and modern, but softened by sculptures, ivy-covered archways, and a garden that looked like it had been designed by someone who’d grown up reading fairy tales. It gave off serious Alice in Wondend energy.


    I stared out the window, taking it all in.


    "Your home is kind of magical," I said honestly.


    "Do you like it?" Sebastian asked, ncing at me.


    I nodded. "I do. I mean, I love minimalism, but fantasy has its charm too. This ce has both."


    As we talked, Liam drove around a fountain with a small angel statue in the middle and parked right at the entrance.


    I stepped out, trying to look calm, but my nerves were buzzing like a phone on vibrate. No turning back now.


    Liam popped the trunk and grabbed the gift bags Sebastian had picked up from my ce earlier.


    Honestly, showing up empty-handed wasn’t an option. Not when his mom might be judging my entire existence.


    Sebastian reached over and took my hand. His palm was warm, steady. I squeezed back, just for a second.


    The front door opened before we even rang the bell.


    Zaria came bounding down the hallway barefoot, wearing a flowy, backless dress and holding a half-melted ice cream cone.


    "Cecilia! You’re here! Want some ice cream?"


    I smiled for real this time. "Maybeter."


    Of all the Silver Peak Pack members, Zaria was the easiest to be around—zero drama, zero attitude. Just vibes.


    Before I could say more, footsteps echoed from the staircase.


    Luna Regina, Alpha Yardley, and York wereing down together, all dressed like they’d just stepped out of a political campaign photo.


    Without thinking, I slipped my hand out of Sebastian’s and stood straighter.


    My back went ramrod straight, my chin lifted half an inch, and I forced a polite smile onto my face.


    "Good to see you again, Alpha Yardley. Luna Regina. Mr. York."


    I kept my tone polite, formal. My cheeks were already warming.


    I wasn’t sure if I was blushing from nerves or from the sudden panic that I might trip over my words.


    Alpha Yardley gave a warm smile. "Cecilia , why so serious? You’re not in court. Just call me Yardley when we’re at home."


    Luna Regina offered a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Come in. Please, sit."


    I nodded, trying to seem rxed. "Thank you."


    My heart was pounding like crazy, but I kept my posture perfect.


    This dinner could turn into a warm family chat or a serious negotiation.


    Either way, I was ready to stand my ground.