<h4>Chapter 400: Chapter 400 The Unveiling</h4>
Author’s pov
The tension in the ballroom grew heavier as Elder Luna ck made her way toward Sebastian, tugging Jessica and Liora along like unwilling props.
"Sebastian,"she greeted him with her well rehearsed smile, "this is Jessica Locke. You two should... "
"We’ve met,"Alpha Sebastian cut her off, his tone cool and sharp.
Elder Luna ck drew in a breath to recover, but Alpha Sebastian was faster. "Excuse me, I have an urgent call to take, "he said smoothly.
His gaze slid past Jessica without so much as a flicker of interest. "Maybe you can keep thempany, Father. "
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off, leaving a wall of silence in his wake.
Despite his polite words, the chill in his eyes and the way he refused to even look at Jessica said everything.
Elder Luna ck started after him, but Alpha Yardley stepped in with practiced ease. "Pack business, "he said with a pleasant smile. "I’m sure we can entertain Jessica just fine. "
He turned his attention to Liora and Jessica.
Liora’s smile was tight, while Jessica’s face flickered between pale embarrassment and barely contained anger.
Jessica’s fingers clenched around her clutch, the diamonds digging into her palm. She forced her lips into a smile, but her jaw trembled slightly.
"Of course, "Liora managed. "Workes first. "
Her voice was steady, but her eyes darted toward Jessica, silently pleading for her to stayposed.
Jessica tried to keep her chin up, but her blush gave her away.
Seeing her n slipping through her fingers, Elder Luna ck hurried to smooth things over. "Sebastian’s always been a bit of a workaholic, dear. Don’t take it personally. "
Jessica forced a polite smile. "It’s fine. We can talk when Alpha Sebastian isn’t so busy. There’s still time. "
Her tone was calm, but there was steel underneath. She refused to look defeated. If anything, her pride only hardened. She lifted her chin a little higher, meeting a few lingering gazes head on as if daring anyone to pity her.
Elder Luna ck’s shoulders rxed. "Wonderful. I knew you’d understand. "
Alpha Yardley cleared his throat. "Miss Jessica, I should probably mention that Sebastian is already seeing someone. It’s serious. "
Jessica didn’t flinch. "I know, Alpha Yardley. Elder Luna ck told me. But until there’s a formal mate bond, fairpetition is still fair, right ? "
Her voice was smooth now, confident even. The sh in her eyes made it clear she wasn’t backing down.
A few nearby guests exchanged nces, sensing the challenge in her words.
Alpha Yardley raised a brow, caught between surprise and irritation.
--
Outside the ballroom, Alpha Sebastian yanked his tie loose, frustration shing across his face. He paused for a moment and reached for his phone, but it lit up with an iing call.
The name shing across the screen made his expression soften instantly.
A minuteter, he was striding back into the ballroom, his expression hard again, his steps sharp and focused. The crowd, already sensitive to the tension in the air, turned to watch him move straight toward Zane.
"Sebastian, any word from Cassian ? "Zane asked, his voice tight with worry as he hurried over.
Behind him, Maggie’s gaze locked on Alpha Sebastian, sharp and calcting, like a cat waiting to pounce.
"Yes, I have news, "Alpha Sebastian said, his tone calm but heavy. "Cassian is... "
He paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch. The air seemed to hold its breath.
A faint, knowing smile tugged at Maggie’s lips.
Zane’s face twisted with fear, his voice cracking. "Cassian is... is what ? "
"He’s home, "Alpha Sebastian said atst, his tone low and even, almost too calm.
For a moment, no one breathed. The words hung in the air like a verdict.
Maggie’s heart skipped. A slow smile curved her lips, faint but unmistakable.
Home. The word echoed in her mind, sweet and final. Cassian was gone. Truly gone.
Zane blinked, confusion flickering into panic. "Home ? What do you mean, home ? He’s not here ! "
Hisposure brokepletely. "What the hell does that mean ? ! "
Maggie pressed a hand to his chest, her voice soft, perfectly controlled. "Zane, please. Not here. People are watching. "
Zane turned on her, eyes wild with suspicion and anger. Maggie stepped back just enough to look frightened, but inside she was calm.
Across the room, Alpha Sebastian nced at his watch, his face unreadable.
The faintest glint in his eyes hinted that he knew exactly what everyone was thinking.
Then, a voice sliced through the tension.
"Why the long faces ? Don’t tell me the champagne’s that bad. "
Every head turned toward the side entrance.
Cassian stood there, sharp in a dark green suit that fit him like it had been tailored by the gods. He looked effortlessly confident, azy smirk tugging at his lips as he grabbed a ss from a passing tray and took a slow sip.
"Cassian ! "someone gasped. The sound rippled through the room.
Maggie’s heart mmed against her ribs. He was alive. Her relief was pure performance, her smile perfectly staged.
She approached him with open arms. "Thank goodness you’re back. Everyone’s been worried sick. Where have you and Poppy been ? And where’s Martha ? "
Cassian looked down at her, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Aunt Maggie, with acting skills like that, Hollywood’s missing out. "
"Always the jokester, "she said lightly, though her jaw tightened.
"I’m just being honest, "he replied, his tone deceptively easy, his smile never touching his eyes.
"Enough jokes, "Maggie said, her voice firming. "We have guests. Where is Martha ? Everyone’s waiting for her. "
Cassian’s smirk disappeared. "Oh, I know, "he said. "You’ve really missed her. Don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of her tonight. "
Maggie’s stomach sank. Martha was back, and that was bad news.
If Martha had figured anything out, Maggie’s perfect act could fall apart in front of everyone.
Cassian tilted his head slightly, voice casual again. "And on the way to pick up Grandmother, she asked me to bring a friend of hers and her granddaughter. She said she wanted to introduce them properly tonight. "