<h4>Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Seeking Safe Haven</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    "There’s no rush. Just find a hotel tonight and get some rest."Sebastian ’s voice melted into something softer.


    "Yeah, your location got exposed, but it’s not all Harper’s fault. I screwed up too. Tell her not to beat herself up over it. And you, don’t push yourself too hard. Slow down. Take a breath. Get your head straight."


    Then came that voice. That low, velvety tone he used when he meant every word."I’ve got this under control. Do whatever feels right to you."


    My heart fluttered like he’d kissed me through the phone.


    It was ridiculous, but it hit me that hard.


    "Okay," I whispered.


    He gave Harper and Tang a few more instructions.


    His tone stayed calm, even polite, but the message underneath was sharp and cold.


    When the call ended, Harper rubbed the back of her neck.


    Tang tried to lighten the mood. "Harper, this isn’t all on you. We should’ve gone straight to theke house. If we hadn’t stopped for lunch, Alpha Xavier wouldn’t have had the chance to call. It’s on me too."


    Harper gave him a small smile.


    "You don’t need to take the fall for my screw-up, Tang. I’m not some fragile little thing. I know when I mess up, and I can take the heat.


    But let’s be honest, you got dragged into this. I made the mistake, and now you’re the one cleaning it up and getting yelled at with me. That’s not fair, and I’m sorry."


    Tang just shook his head. "It’s not a big deal."


    I cleared my throat, trying to break up the guilt spiral."So... when do you think Xavier and Henry will wake up?"


    "Three hours, maybe more," Tang said. "Plenty of time to vanish."


    I hated that word.


    Disappearing. Hiding. Running. But that’s exactly what we were doing.


    Once Xavier got a scent, he wouldn’t let go.


    I knew Sebastian and Cassian were already busy handling Maggie Locke. I didn’t want to be another fire they had to put out.


    We were already talking about Xavier, so I looked at Harper."What did that bastard actually say to you?"


    Harper rolled her eyes."What do you think? The usual crap. He wanted me to talk you into ending the pregnancy."


    She paused.


    "But honestly? That wasn’t the real goal. He just needed me to stay on the line long enough to track us."


    I scoffed. "He can’t do a single decent thing. All he does is stir up chaos."


    Harper straightened up.


    "And who the hell does he think he is? Acting like he has some sort of authority over you? "


    She narrowed her eyes. "Don’t tell me he’s still hoping to get back together with you."


    I went quiet for a second.


    "I think he’s just bored out of his mind.Or maybe he really believes he still has a say in my life. "


    "Okay, that’s not even remotely funny."


    That killed the conversation.


    Harper leaned her head back and shut her eyes.


    I let myself rx too, just for a moment.


    Tang had called in a car not long after the call ended.


    This one was unmarked, a in ck SUV with a driver who didn’t ask questions.


    It wasn’t exactlyfortable, but it felt safer. At least for now.


    I stared out the window at the endless ck, my thoughts spiraling.


    Far off in the mountains, a small light blinked. It looked like a star sitting on the ground. It was tiny and far away, but I couldn’t look away.


    Something shifted inside me.


    A cold feeling spread through my chest. It felt like fate.


    Not the fairytale kind. The kind that waits in the dark and doesn’t care how far you try to run.


    I swallowed hard and sat up straighter. My hands clenched in myp.


    Whatever was out there, I wasn’t going to run from it.


    Let ite. I was done being afraid.


    --


    By eleven that night, we finally reached a small mountain hotel.


    We checked in separately, pretending not to know one another, and booked three different rooms.


    Once we got upstairs, we met in one suite and locked the door behind us.


    I pulled out my phone and called Sebastian.


    "I’ve thought about it," I said. "Cassian’s trying to help, and it’d feel rude to shut that down. He’s experienced, confident, and probably three steps ahead of Xavier. I’m not thrilled about Colorado Springs, but it’s the best move right now."


    I had a bad feeling Xavier would find us no matter where Sebastian sent us. He was watching too closely. Tracking everything he did.


    But Cassian was different. Xavier wouldn’t expect him. That made him the wildcard.


    "Good," Sebastian said calmly. "The helicopter will pick you up in the morning."


    "Okay." I was about to hang up, but I stopped myself.


    I didn’t want the call to end. Not yet.


    "When this is over... remember to let me know," I said.


    I almost said ‘Come get me.’ But Harper and Tang were listening, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it. So I backed off.


    Sebastian chuckled.


    "I’ll be sure to inform you... in person. Just be patient, and take care of yourself."


    I smiled. My cheeks felt warm.


    I cleared my throat. "Fine. I’ll defer to your schedule."


    His tone shifted, yful and low.


    "Why so formal all of a sudden?"


    "I take this situation seriously," I said, trying to sound calm. "It deserves a serious tone."


    "Oh, really?" His voice dropped another notch.


    "Then let’s talk about something personal. I heard you haven’t been sleeping. That you whisper my name in your dreams and beg me toe hold you."


    My back snapped straight.


    "What? Where did you hear that ridiculous story?"


    He didn’t hesitate.


    "Let’s just say... I choose to believe it."


    I stared at the phone.


    "That is absolutely not true!"


    I shot a re at Tang, silently asking if it was him.


    He raised both hands, wide-eyed, like he had no idea what was going on.


    The line went quiet.


    Just when I thought the call had ended, Sebastian’s voice came back.


    A soft murmur, like it brushed right against my skin.


    "I miss you."


    "That part’s real."