<h4>Chapter 389: Chapter 389 Alpha Family Dynamics</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    After ending the call with Mom and Grandma, I sat on the edge of the bed, mind racing through my limited options.


    The situation was aplete nightmare. With Grandma’s stubborn determination, having Sebastian order the security team to escort them home would be disastrous. She’d spill everything about my connection to the Locke family before Sebastian could even get the words out.


    Not happening.


    What about trying to convince them over the phone ? Try to convince them I wanted nothing to do with Zane ? Yeah, right. If they could be talked out of this, they wouldn’t have made the trip to Colorado Springs in the first ce. I’d already tried reasoning with them and gotten nowhere.


    So here I was, backed into a corner with only one way out. That left exactly one option : meet them tomorrow as requested, then somehow prevent them from crashing Martha’s birthday party.


    The n was simple, even if it wasn’t pretty. If they were determined to drag me to the Locke estate, I’d just have to be more determined to keep them away. Even if I had to drug their coffee and have them driven back to Denver while they were out cold.


    As for what came after... I’d cross that bridge when I got there.


    Mind made up, I tucked my phone away and rejoined Harper in the bedroom.


    She twirled in a sleek ck evening gown that hugged her curves perfectly. "What do you think of this one ?"


    "Gorgeous,"I replied, my voicecking its usual enthusiasm.


    We each selected a dress to keep, and as night fell, Harper retreated to her room while Sebastian came to mine.


    I was already in bed, freshly showered and half-asleep.


    I’d assumed he’d sleep in his own room on the second floor tonight, given thete hour.


    When I heard him enter, I kept my eyes closed, feigning sleep. The less I interacted with this man who seemed to read my thoughts, the better my chances of executing tomorrow’s secret mission.


    Sebastian approached the bed, looked down at my "sleeping"form, and left without disturbing me.


    The next morning, he left early with Beta Sawyer. When I heard them returning around noon, I scrambled back to bed and started my performance.


    Sebastian entered the room to find me still in bed. He sat beside me and sighed, gently pinching my cheek. "Did Sleeping Beauty move in today ?"


    I faked a cough, furrowing my brow and opening my eyes with an exaggerated disy of weakness. "I think I’ve caught a cold."


    His gaze flicked briefly to the half-eaten apple I’d hastily hidden behind the nightstand, and I realized toote that my breath probably still smelled like fruit.


    Fighting back what looked like a smile, he leaned forward and pressed his palm against my forehead, checking for a fever with mock seriousness. "Let me guess... headache, fatigue, nausea, the works ? Looks like my Cece won’t be attending tonight’s party after all."


    His warm breath fanned across my face as he spoke, and I could see the yful glint in his eyes.


    My pitiful expression dissolved into a deadpan stare. I pushed his hand away. "Exactly. You got it."


    I rolled over, turning my back to him.


    Sebastian leaned close to my ear and gave my rear a light pat. "Fine, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I’ll make your excuses."


    I rolled back to face him, suddenly hopeful. "Really ?"


    "I’ll tell them you’re pregnant,"he said casually. "You’ve been exhausted these past few days, and an evening full of family drama isn’t good for you right now."


    I exhaled in relief. "You could have just said that from the beginning."


    Sebastian leaned down, his breath hovering close to my lips, eyes darkening. "Now that you’re miraculously cured, do you have enough energy to... "


    I pressed my finger against his lips. "No energy whatsoever. My legs hurt, my arms ache. Take pity on me."


    He kissed my fingertips, then trailed his lips along my hand to my neck and ear, sending shivers of pleasure through my body until my temperature genuinely started to rise.


    "I was only going to ask if you had enough energy... to give me a kiss."


    My breathing quickened.


    "A kiss ? Like this ?"I pecked his cheek innocently.


    Sebastian shook his head. "Not quite. Let me show you how it’s done."


    The next moment, our lips came together in a kiss that filled me with contentment and longing.


    We stayed wrapped up in each other until well past lunchtime.


    Author’s pov


    By evening, Alpha Sebastian had put on his formal wear. The stunning ck tuxedo looked magnificent even hanging on the rack.


    When he leaned over the bed to retrieve his watch, Cecilia’s heart raced involuntarily.The guy was seriously dangerous to her self-control.


    "I’ll try toe back early,"he said, affectionately stroking her hair before cing a kiss on her forehead. "If you get bored, have Harper and Tang take you for a walk in the garden."


    She had to admit it. She waspletely gone for this man.


    As Alpha Sebastian straightened up, his phone rang. It was Luna Regina.


    He answered, and Cecilia could hear her asking if they were ready to leave.


    "Cece has a cold. She can’t make it,"he replied smoothly.


    "A cold ! How could you let your mate get sick ?"Luna Regina’s voice came through clearly, full of concern. "I’ll call a doctor. She absolutely cannot take just any medication in her condition !"


    Her words made Alpha Yardley and Zaria turn their heads in surprise.


    Sebastian’s voice remained calm. "No need to worry. The doctor has already been here. We’ll proceed as nned."


    "But... we’re just going to leave Cece alone in the house ? That doesn’t seem right !"Luna Regina protested.


    "Tang and Harper will keep herpany. That’s final."Alpha Sebastian replied firmly.


    His tone left no room for argument as he ended the call, leaving Luna Regina and Alpha Yardley to exchange bewildered nces.


    Cecilia watched this exchange with admiration, giving him a thumbs-up.


    Alpha Sebastian definitely knew how to handle his family.


    "I’m leaving now. Behave yourself, and don’t wander off, all three of you,"Alpha Sebastian said, stealing another kiss before heading out.


    She grabbed his arm, struck by a sudden inspiration. "Actually, I’ve been thinking... maybe Harper should go with you."


    "You don’t want her to keep youpany ?"Sebastian’s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Her stomach fluttered nervously, but she pressed on with her carefully prepared excuse.


    "I do, but I can’t be selfish. You saw how many dresses Harper tried on yesterday. She didn’t say anything, but I could tell she really wants to go out and socialize.


    She’s been stuck here with me these past weeks.


    Besides,Beta Sawyer will be there. They can keep each otherpany."


    Alpha Sebastian’s suspicious look softened. "If that’s what you want, and she wants to go, then she can join us."


    "Oh, she definitely wants to go,"Cecilia said quickly. "She was so disappointed when I said I wouldn’t attend. I’ll tell her to get ready right away."


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