<h4>Chapter 402: Chapter 402 The Revtions Begin</h4>
Author’s pov
Alpha Sebastian broke free from Cassian’s hold after checking the message on his phone.
He didn’t hesitate. He walked straight to the side entrance, every step full of purpose. Just as he reached the door, it swung open, and he ran right into Ceciliaing from the other side.
Their eyes met.
Cecilia froze, feeling dozens of curious stares on her.
"Martha, what a pleasure to see you, "Alpha Sebastian said smoothly, shifting his attention away from Cecilia. His voice sounded calm, easy, like nothing was out of ce.
Martha’s smile lit up the hall. "I’m so sorry we’rete. I went to pick up Cece myself. "She squeezed Cecilia’s hand, her eyes glittering with a secret only she knew.
They spoke quietly by the entrance, their words too low for anyone else to catch, but the sight of them together was enough to stir the whole room.
Conversations stopped as guests turned to watch, curiosity rippling through the crowd.
Maggie’s calcting gaze flicked between Cecilia and Zane.
Her sharp eyes narrowed, reading every twitch, every nce, as if she could piece together the story from bodynguage alone.
Zane looked lost, a mix of exhaustion and confusion written across his face, like he was trying to solve a puzzle missing half its pieces.
He rubbed the back of his neck, his jaw tightening as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Members of the ck and Lawson families exchanged uneasy looks.
A low murmur ran through them, the kind of restless sound that meant questions were multiplying faster than answers.
[ Wasn’t Cecilia supposed to be home sick ? How on earth had she shown up with Martha Locke ? ]
"Xavier, is that really Cecilia ? "Alpha ude asked, squinting across the room.
Alpha Xavier took a beat before answering. "Yeah. That’s her. "
Luna Dora’s jaw dropped. "How is she with Martha ? You don’t think... "she lowered her voice, "she’s trying to get in with the Locke family now that Elder Luna ck refused her spot in Silver Peak Pack ? "
"Enough, "Alpha ude snapped. "Watch your mouth. "His eyes shed with anger.
Only an idiot would gossip like that in a room full of werewolves with sharper hearing than radar.
If Alpha Sebastian caught wind of it, their fragile peace with Silver Peak Pack would go up in smoke.
And honestly, whether Cecilia sided with the cks or the Lockes wasn’t Blood Moon Pack’s problem anymore.
Luna Dora shrank back, stung by the rebuke.
Her painted smile faltered, and she turned away, pretending to sip her drink while her cheeks burned.
Alpha Xavier ignored his parentspletely. His eyes stayed locked on Cecilia.
The sight of her standing next to another Alpha hit him like a punch to the chest. His wolf let out a low, aching howl inside, wing at the edges of his control. He masked it with a cold expression, but his knuckles were white against his ss.
By now, the ballroom had split into two camps : those who knew Cecilia and those who didn’t.
Colorado Springs wasn’t Denver, and not everyone kept up with the city’s social gossip.
The people who knew her, and the messy history between Blood Moon Pack, Shadow Pack, and Silver Peak Pack, acted like they didn’t see her. Nobody wanted to upset Alpha Sebastian or bring up old drama.
They exchanged polite smiles, but their eyes flicked back to her again and again, curiosity winning out over caution.
The guests who didn’t recognize her just wondered why Martha Locke had arrived with such a striking young woman.
They shot questioning looks toward the other Lockes, who looked just as puzzled.
Some leaned toward their partners, whispering behind champagne sses, while others simply stared, waiting for someone to break the silence.
The air grew heavier as whispers spread through the crowd.
Theories flew fast, and the most popr one was that Cecilia might be Martha’s pick for Cassian’s future mate—a rumor that caught fire almost instantly on the Colorado Springs grapevine.
--
Cecilia kept her smile steady, looking calm on the outside while panic buzzed under her skin. She hadn’t expected her first step into the ballroom tond her right in Alpha Sebastian’s path.
It was a tricky situation. She couldn’t act like she didn’t know him, but she couldn’t act like his girlfriend either, not with a room full of family, rivals, and social climbers watching.
Every look felt like a camera sh waiting to catch her next move.
Her safest y was silence.
She kept her face neutral, her expression unreadable, while inside she scrambled to keep her bnce.
Alpha Sebastian kept talking with Martha, his tone smooth and casual.
But anyone really paying attention could tell there was more behind his words, like they were having a private talk in in sight.
Helena seemed to be the only one who got it.
"I understand, Sebastian, "Martha said finally, smiling in that knowing way of hers. "And I’m d it’s you in the end. You’ll get exactly what you’ve been looking for. "
Her gaze drifted between Cecilia and Alpha Sebastian, soft but full of meaning.
Alpha Sebastian’s expression sharpened, his decision crystal clear.
Cecilia managed a shaky half-smile.
The truth hanging over her felt heavy. She’d always been proud of being a professor’s daughter, not some hidden branch of a rich family tree. Now that old confidence felt paper-thin.
"I’m here, "Alpha Sebastian said quietly, reading the panic in her eyes. "You’re not alone. "
His voice had that calm authority that could steady a storm.
The tension in her chest eased, soothed by him in a way she couldn’t exin.
"Okay, "she whispered back.
The fear left her voice, reced by real relief.
Martha and Helena exchanged a quick, satisfied look.
Clearly, Alpha Sebastian had passed whatever test they’d set for him.
"They’re waiting for us, "Martha said, steering Cecilia farther into the ballroom.
Helena hung back, giving Alpha Sebastian room to walk beside her. He leaned in slightly, his low voice meant only for her. The closeness helped, grounding her in the chaos.