Sebastian’s pov
My eyes darkened as I gazed at her sleeping form.
The memory of that kiss in the early morning hours haunted me—her lips, softer than rose petals and sweeter than strawberry cake.
One taste and I knew I’d be addicted.
I shouldn’t be staring.
But I couldn’t help myself as I lingered there, bent over her sleeping form.
The faint scent of honeydew still clung to her breath, mingling with her natural scent that had been driving my wolf crazy for weeks.
[Just one taste,]Soren growled within me. [She’ll never know.]
My fingers tightened on the armrest beside her seat as I fought against the primal urge. This wasn’t right.
Not while she was unconscious, unaware.
But fuck, how I wanted to.
I leaned closer, my lips nearly touching hers before I stopped myself.
Time and air seemed to stand still around us.
Back and forth the battle raged inside me.
After what felt like eternity, I sighed softly and withdrew, returning to my seat. I loosened my tie with one hand and drained a large glass of ice water, trying to cool the fire in my veins.
Cecilia
My heart had been pounding wildly for a good ten minutes, the aftershocks still reverberating through my chest.
It felt like everything in my body had gone weightless except for my thundering heart.
I was simultaneously exhausted and wide awake.
Mentally, I was cursing him.
The man had endless patience for his internal debate, but did he ever consider there was a living, breathing person beneath him?
Did it occur to him I might wake up? I wasn’t Sleeping Beauty, destined to awaken only from his kiss!
I’d been tempted to open my eyes and force him to make a decision.
Talk about torture!
Now that my heart rate had settled, anxiety crept in again.
Could someone please tell me how many days it would take for that aphrodisiac to completely leave his system?
...
The plane landed in Denver.
I pretended to be just waking up. Please ignore my tiredness and slightly numb expression.
Alpha Sebastian glanced at me. "Did you sleep well?"
I smoothed my hair with my hands. "I’m sorry, I was just so tired. You didn’t try to wake me up, did you? I sleep like the dead once I’m out—thunderstorms wouldn’t wake me ."
Something dark flickered briefly in his eyes before he stood. "Now that you’re awake, let’s go."
He left his seat.
I rose slowly, feeling sweaty and slightly weak after being wrapped in the blanket for so long.
The flight attendant brought our luggage down and handed it to Liam, who had come to meet us.
Once in the car, Liam smiled and asked, "How did everything go these past couple days?"
I returned a somewhat complicated smile. "It was... mostly smooth, I suppose."
Liam, "That’s good to hear."
I glanced in the rear view mirror.
Alpha Sebastian sat in the back with his arms crossed, eyes closed, his expression unreadable.
I breathed a small sigh of relief.
When we reached the apartment complex, we walked from the garage toward the entrance.
Just before the security door, a tall figure suddenly appeared.
I swear, I’d experienced more jump scares in the past two days than in any haunted house.
"Finally! You’re back!" Harper exclaimed, clutching her phone, looking frantic.
She acknowledged Alpha Sebastian and Liam with a quick greeting.
I pressed a hand to my racing heart. "Why wait out here? You could have waited inside."
"I’ve been waiting half the evening. Didn’t you say you’d be home by seven?" Harper grabbed my luggage and linked her arm through mine. "Come on, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I’ll tell you inside."
I studied her strange expression, wondering what could be so important.
The four of us entered the building and headed toward the elevators.
Alpha Sebastian walked ahead.
Liam slowed down a little, smiling warmly at Harper and me.
"I made lasagna tonight. Want to come up and grab a bite? Layers of fresh pasta, truffle béchamel, Kobe beef, and a wild mushroom ragù. Took me all afternoon—it turned out pretty damn good."
Harper and I had been about to politely decline—it was late, and we still had things to talk about.
Just lasagna, we thought.
But then he mentioned truffle and mushroom ragù...
"I’m actually starving," I admitted.
Harper gave me a look and nodded. "Let’s eat. I haven’t had real lasagna in forever, and now I’m craving it."
"I made plenty," Liam said, beaming like a proud dad happy to feed a couple of hungry kids. "Eat as much as you like."
Alpha Sebastian gave us a sideways glance.
That look... like he was watching two greedy girls.
He stepped into the elevator.
Harper and I followed, with Liam entering last and pressing the button for the penthouse. He chatted amiably with us, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
...
In the dining room upstairs, Liam served the freshly made lasagna.
Just the aroma told us how delicious they would be.
Alpha Sebastian pushed his bowl toward me. "Weren’t you starving? Have mine too."
His voice was affectionate and teasing.
I froze, unsure how to respond.
Harper glanced between us, her smile impossible to suppress. When I didn’t answer, she couldn’t help but comment,"Alpha Sebastian would rather go hungry himself than see you unsatisfied. You should take it, then."
I mentally screamed: Stop interpreting things!
I pushed the bowl to the middle of the table. "Harper, let’s share. I can’t eat two full portions."
Harper looked at me like I was hopeless.
We bent our heads and began eating.
The flavors were so intense they seemed to reach straight to our souls.
"These are incredible," Harper said, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Best lasagna I’ve ever had."
I didn’t speak, just kept eating.
I took small bites but ate quickly. Harper always said I looked like a hamster when I ate.
By the time we finished, we were both stuffed to capacity.
We politely thanked them for their hospitality.
As we prepared to leave, Alpha Sebastian suddenly spoke,"What was it you wanted to tell Cecilia about, Ms. Harper? Would you mind if I listen as well?"
Harper hesitated. "Well, that’s..."
Alpha Sebastian: "Is it a secret?"
"Not exactly."
After a moment’s hesitation, Harper seemed to decide that his knowing might be beneficial. "I went to the hospital today, disguised as a nurse. I was hoping to find evidence that Cici White was faking her illness with a doctor’s help. Instead, I overheard the nurses saying... Cici is pregnant."
I remained silent.
Alpha Sebastian made a soft sound of acknowledgment, as if understanding something.
"And?" I finally asked.
"And I did some more digging. The nurses mentioned that the Blood Moon Pack has been visiting constantly these past few days, apparently discussing marriage arrangements. Normally, whatever they do wouldn’t concern you, but if those two families join forces, what if Xavier goes back on everything he promised? Once he and Cici start singing the same tune, who knows what lies they’ll tell! This could be very bad for you!"
"That bastard Xavier!" Harper fumed.
"He went on and on about how sorry he was, how much he loved you, how he would never choose Cici... he almost had me believing him. And now look! Just a few days later, he’s getting married."
Harper was furious, but I remained perfectly calm. "His marriages and funerals are none of my business."
"What about Cici? "
"If they get married, she’s coming for you. Especially in Denver. Unless..."
She paused, then glanced at Alpha Sebastian—completely unfazed by the fact that she might be giving me a heart attack.
"You marry him first," she said. "The two of you together? You’d drive those snakes insane."
I just stared at her, completely speechless.