<h4>Chapter 394: Chapter 394 Beneath the Surface</h4>


    Author’s pov


    "Hello, I’m Jessica, "she said with practiced charm.


    Alpha Sebastian’s eyes turned cold, his brow tightening.


    A wave of irritation hit him. It wasn’t about who she was. It was the fact that she’d stepped in his way like she owned the ce.


    Still, his manners held. "Hello. "


    Then he stepped around her and kept walking, showing zero interest in conversation.


    His indifference was sharp enough to cut through the air.


    Jessica froze, stunned by the brush-off.


    After a few steps, Alpha Sebastian stopped. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move.


    A phone stuck out from the restroom doorway, with half a face hiding behind it.


    The faint click of a camera broke the silence. Their eyes met.


    Harper’s stomach dropped. Caught.


    Alpha Sebastian’s gaze narrowed, and she quickly ducked back inside, pretending she hadn’t seen him. A few secondster, she peeked out again.


    She watched as Alpha Sebastian exited through a side door, Jessica trailing after him. Of course she followed.


    And Harper, being Harper, wasn’t about to miss the show.


    Jessica saw Alpha Sebastian stop and smiled,pletely misreading it.She thought he’d changed his mind, maybe ying hard to get.


    With most men, she wouldn’t have bothered. But this was Sebastian ck, the Alpha of Silver Peak Pack. He was tall, handsome, perfectlyposed, and the kind of man who could get away with anything.


    She walked up to him again, her tone suddenly more familiar. "Alpha Sebastian ,I wanted to say hi the moment you arrived. Cassian always talks about you, but we’ve never met before today. I’m d that’s finally changed. "


    Alpha Sebastian didn’t even look at her.


    "You’d be smart not to let Cassian hear you talking like that, "he said tly. "He’d be upset. "


    Jessica blinked. "Upset ? Why would he be ? "


    Alpha Sebastian turned, giving her a faint, icy smile. "Because I’m the one Cassian’s in love with. "


    Jessica’s eyes widened. The blood drained from her face.


    Alpha Sebastian walked off without another word.


    This time, Jessica didn’t follow.


    She stood there in shock for several seconds, then leaned weakly against the wall.


    If being Luna of Silver Peak meant dealing with this kind ofplication, she’d just have to handle it.


    Alpha Sebastian returned to the ballroom.


    A few minutester, Jessica did too.


    Across the room, the Elder Luna ck and Liora watched them closely.


    Liora had already lost patience after hearing Elder Luna ck’s firm stance. She made it clear she would never let someone like Cecilia, a girl with no family background, be Luna of Silver Peak.


    Jessica was the obvious choice. She was polished, well-connected, and exactly the kind of woman Elder Luna wanted for her son.


    Jessica rejoined her mother, still distracted.


    Her eyes followed Alpha Sebastian as he spoke with Julian from the Lawson family. Not far away, a strikingly handsome man stood watching Alpha Sebastian with keen interest.


    Jessica’s unease grew.


    Then the man walked up to Alpha Sebastian, and the two of them stepped aside to talk in private.


    What really shocked her was Alpha Sebastian’s expression. He was smiling.


    That smile was devastatingly charming. A few young women nearby turned to stare.


    Jessica’s stomach twisted. She thought she was watching flirtation.


    But she couldn’t have been more wrong.


    "How’s Cecilia ? "Alpha Xavier asked, his tone clipped and serious.


    "She’s fine, "Alpha Sebastian said lightly. "Our baby’s fine too. You don’t need to worry—she’s not your concern anymore. Maybe focus on your own life for once. "


    Alpha Xavier’s jaw tightened. "...I’ll worry about my ex-wife if I want to. "


    Alpha Sebastian gave a shortugh and pped him on the shoulder. "Easy there, Alpha Xavier . Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Try being civil. "


    Alpha Xavier’s re could have cut ss. "...Civil ? I’d rather rip your head off. "


    "You could try doing something useful instead, "Alpha Sebastian shot back, his voice calm but sharp. "If we’re partners, act like it. I don’t have time to babysit you. "


    Their voices stayed low enough that to anyone watching, they looked like two men having a perfectly pleasant conversation.


    Across the room, Alpha ude, Xavier’s father, watched the scene unfold. Seeing his son and Alpha Sebastian looking friendly brought a clear sense of relief to his face.


    Not long ago, Alpha Sebastian had blocked every loan request from Blood Moon Pack. Rumors about his rtionship with Cecilia had made people think he’d cut ties with them for good.


    But recently, Silver Peak Pack had approved Blood Moon’s project reviews and even joined new ventures with them.


    It was the kind of turnaround that had every Blood Moon member breathing easier.


    Not everyone felt the same way. Members of Shadow Pack, especially those losing business to Blood Moon, were furious.


    Luna White was furious. Every time she thought about it, it felt like needles in her chest. Her daughter was gone, her family’s reputation was ruined, and somehow Blood Moon Pack still came out looking clean.


    Luna Dora was already searching for a new match for her son, as if Cici had never existed. What hurt Luna White most was watching Alpha Xavier talk to Sebastian like nothing had ever happened.


    Most people in Colorado Springs had no idea about the bad blood between Blood Moon and Shadow Pack.


    Everyone kept up appearances, pretending the past had never happened.


    Alpha Yardley assumed his son was just being diplomatic for the sake of business.


    Luna Regina, however, wasn’t buying it.


    She frowned, whispering to her husband, "Isn’t that Cece’s cheating ex-husband ? Why is Sebastian even talking to him ? "


    Just then, Luna Dora approached to greet them.