<h4>Chapter 425: Chapter 425 The Voice in the Dark</h4>


    Author’s pov


    The new secretary was York.


    Alpha Sebastian knew that York had finally gotten over his emotional problems and didn’t want him sitting around doing nothing.


    He nned to personally train York, taking him under his guidance.


    After York took over her job as Alpha Sebastian’s secretary, Cecilia settled into a peaceful life before the baby came.


    The days were so peaceful that she felt like everything was back to normal.


    All those scary, confusing events seemed like nothing more than a strange dream.


    Even finding out she was the Locke family heiress felt unreal now.


    Her days became wonderfully routine: watching Alpha Sebastian leave for work each morning, spending time with her girlfriends, catching up on office drama from her former coworkers.


    Aside from quitting her job and being pregnant, her life hadn’t changed much from what she’d always nned.


    Alpha Sebastian went with her to her doctor’s appointment.


    Cecilia had been nervous, but maybe because she’d been feeling so much bettertely, the results were perfect.


    The baby was developing beautifully, finally putting her worries to rest.


    She was thinking about visiting grandmother Helena over the weekend when Alpha Sebastian dropped some news that evening.


    "I need to go to Colorado Springs on Friday," he said casually.


    Friday... Cecilia swallowed her suggestion about visiting grandmother together. "This Friday? Okay, I’ll pack some things."


    "You don’t need toe," Alpha Sebastian said, pulling her onto hisp and gently touching her cheek. "Your morning sickness has finally stopped and you’ve been in such good spirits. No need to mess that up with travel. There’s nothing particrly important happening in Colorado Springs, and I’ll be back by Monday."


    "If it’s nothing important, then what is it?" Cecilia asked. She didn’t believe his casual act for a second. He had a habit of making dangerous situations sound like no big deal.


    Seeing her mood getting darker, Alpha Sebastian leaned down to kiss her softly. "Cassian wants me to discuss some business matters. It’s nothing like what you’re thinking."


    Cecilia wasn’t sure if she should believe him.


    "You’re going alone? Beta Sawyer isn’ting?"


    Alpha Sebastianughed. "Didn’t you say Beta Sawyer was working too hard? Let’s give him the weekend off."


    "Then let Tang go with you," Cecilia immediately said. "He’s not doing anything anyway."


    "If I’m away, Tang needs to stay here even more," Alpha Sebastian argued.


    "I’ll stay home all weekend. I won’t even step outside," Cecilia insisted, her voice getting louder. "I don’t need Tang’s protection. Take him with you!"


    Alpha Sebastian didn’t argue about who needed Tang more. "Fine, if you want me to take him, I will. It’s unusual for you to worry about me this much."


    "What do you mean ’unusual’?" Cecilia punched his chest lightly. "I’ve always cared about you. You absolutely cannot get hurt."


    "I won’t let anything happen to me," he promised.


    --


    Late that night, with the bedroom lights off for hours, Cecilia rolled over.


    She was suddenly woken up by a low voice.


    The sound was muffled but familiar, seeming toe from behind the wall while also echoing inside her head.


    "The child... belongs to me."


    She sat up quickly, cold sweat on her forehead.


    Moonlight came through the windows, cold and white, spreading across the floor like thin ice.


    She looked around the room. It was so quiet she could only hear her own breathing.


    She thought about waking Alpha Sebastian but remembered he had an early flight. Better to let him sleep.


    That voice was still ringing in her ears.


    Looking up at the empty ceiling, she briefly saw a shadow appear—a woman’s face with a twisted smile.


    A chill ran up her arms and settled in her chest.


    Cecilia blinked, and the image disappeared.


    "Just a hallucination," she whispered to herself. "Don’t overthink it."


    But her heart kept pounding hard.


    --


    Early the next morning, Alpha Sebastian left for the airport.


    Cecilia saw him off at the entrance, watching as Tang drove them away. No matter what Alpha Sebastian was doing, she knew he could handle himself, but having Tang with him made her feel better.


    What she didn’t know was that Tang only drove Alpha Sebastian to the airport beforeing back home.


    The ones who got on the ne with Alpha Sebastian were actually Alpha Xavier and Alpha Gavin.


    And they weren’t flying to Colorado Springs at all, but to a three-day party organized by the Moonveil Ascendancy.


    With Alpha Sebastian gone, Harper and Yvonne rushed over to keep Ceciliapany.


    Liam prepared a delicious, fancy meal for them.


    As their girls’ night was ending, Yvonne suddenly remembered Cecilia’s earlier ns. "Oh right! Since Alpha Sebastian is away, that means the three of us can visit grandmother Helena tomorrow!"


    She pped her hands excitedly. "Perfect! I was worried Alpha Sebastian might kick me out if he saw me."


    "We’re not going tomorrow," Cecilia said tly.


    Yvonne’s face dropped with disappointment. "Why not? You don’t need Alpha Sebastian ’s bodyguards—I have my own! I can protect both of you."


    Harper had already guessed Cecilia would cancel the trip. "Tang went with Alpha Sebastian, so naturally he wouldn’t want Cece going to her grandmother’s alone... and by the way, in his eyes, we’re basically useless for protection."


    Yvonne pouted.


    Despite her disappointment, she didn’t dare try talking Cecilia into going anyway. If anything happened, she couldn’t handle that responsibility.


    "We’ll go next week," Cecilia suggested with a smile.


    Yvonne nodded, epting thepromise.


    After dinner, Liam served them fruit and dessert.


    The three women were enjoying their treats outside when Muffin started rubbing against their legs, identally inviting a storm of petting that the cat soon wished it hadn’t.


    While scratching behind Muffin’s ears, Cecilia’s phone rang. Seeing it was VanDyck, she immediately answered.


    "Dad?"


    "Cece, your mom’s been hurt. She stepped on a nail and her foot is bleeding everywhere. The nail waspletely rusted..." VanDyck’s voice shook with anger and worry.


    Cecilia’s heart jumped with panic. "Is she at the hospital? Which area was it? Did you check the security cameras?"


    "We’re heading to the hospital now. Unfortunately, there were no cameras in that area, but I’ve already called the police. We’ll find the jerk who left those nails around!"


    "Good, I’m d you’re going to the hospital. I’lle right away. Is Mom there? Let me talk to her."


    After a moment, a weak voice came through the phone. "Cece, honey, I’m fine. You don’t need toe."


    Cecilia’s eyes instantly filled with tears. "Mom, hang in there. I’ming right now. I’ll find whoever did this!"


    "Really, don’te. It’s nothing," Esther insisted. "Your father is overreacting as usual..."


    "If you don’t tell her now, she’ll feel guilty when she finds outter," VanDyck’s voice came from the background.


    "Dad’s right," Cecilia said firmly. "I’m leaving now. Mom, wait for me."


    She hung up and immediately stood.


    Harper and Yvonne, who had heard everything, got up with her.


    "Cece, I’lle with you," Harper offered.


    "Don’t worry, I’ll have my bodyguards pick us up," Yvonne said, rubbing Cecilia’s back gently.