–
Stepping onto the third-level deck, the night air was crisp and cool. I approached the circular sofas arranged invitingly under the soft glow of overhead lights.
Then, as I turned, I was completely unprepared for the sight before me.
Two figures appeared locked in a kiss.
Sebastian had his back to me, while Amara stood on tiptoe, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
My throat tightened, and I choked on my water in shock.
“Oh my god…” I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away.
Celina
I fought back a sudden cough that threatened to escape, quickly covering my mouth with my hand. Without hesitation, I turned on my heel and hurried away, trying to be as silent as possible-but my efforts fell short. Although the deck was carpeted, the soft padding failed to fully absorb the sharp sound of my hurried footsteps.
From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Sebastian stirring. His head snapped around sharply, as if he had sensed something. But before he could pinpoint the source, I was already disappearing from view.
My heart pounded fiercely against my chest as I fled. The image of the Alpha, arms wrapped around another woman, ignited a strange, unwelcome ache deep inside me-a feeling I was unwilling to admit even to myself.
Once I reached the card room, I slipped quickly into the seat beside Sawyer. I had toyed with the idea of finding somewhere else to hide, but uncertainty gnawed at me. Had Sebastian noticed me? If he returned and I wasn’t there, he’d immediately realize who had interrupted them.
The card room felt like the safest refuge.
“Alpha Sebastian, you’re back,” Beta Sawyer greeted him with palpable relief as Sebastian entered moments later.
I had observed how tense Sawyer had been during the game-the way his shoulders stiffened when I had considered going all-in. It was clear the stakes felt personal to him.
Sawyer stood up instantly, and I followed suit without thinking.
“Stay seated,” Sebastian commanded, his voice cool and laced with that unmistakable Alpha authority that made my wolf instinctively bow her head.
“I… what?” I stammered, half-rising. “I should check on Ms. Amara.”
“She’s resting in her room. Your presence isn’t necessary.” His tone bore a hint of displeasure.
I watched him take his seat, confusion swirling through my mind. Why was he upset that I wanted to check on Amara?
Unless…
Had he misunderstood the moment when I put my arm around Amara earlier? Did he think I was making a move on her? The thought was absurd-I wasn’t interested in women, especially not his apparent mate! How could he possibly jump to that conclusion?
“Looks like Sawyer’s the lucky one tonight,” Sebastian remarked, his eyes drifting over the steadily growing pile of chips.
I offered a faint, noncommittal smile, but one of the sharply dressed businessmen at the table leaned in with a grin.
“The luck clearly belongs to your stunning companion,” he said smoothly. “Alpha Sebastian, where did you find someone so gorgeous and clever? I’m honestly envious.”
His gaze didn’t meet mine; instead, it slid downward, lingering far too long on the neckline of my tender blouse.
That look was slow, deliberate, possessive even-as if he were trying to undress me with his eyes.
I had seen that expression before-too many times to count-and it always made my skin crawl.
Still, I maintained my thin smile.
In both human and wolf society, women learned early on how much they had to endure.
The air around the table grew heavier, colder.
“Mr. Zhuo,” Sebastian said smoothly, his voice low and even, “perhaps you should focus less on admiring beauty… and more on not losing everything you brought to the table.”
Though his words were polite, the threat beneath them was unmistakable.
Mr. Zhuo swallowed hard, his face draining of color as he looked away.
The other men straightened in their seats, suddenly absorbed in their cards.
Any fantasies they’d entertained about me vanished with that single sentence.
Because I wasn’t just a beautiful woman.
I was sitting beside an Alpha.
And to them, that meant I belonged to him.
While I appreciated Sebastian’s protective stance, it didn’t surprise me. He was honorable by nature-an Alpha defending someone under his temporary care, nothing more.
We played a few more rounds before the game finally ended.
As the yacht pulled back into the dock, Vivian approached Sebastian, asking for his contact information. He directed her instead to Beta Sawyer.
Getting the contact details wasn’t difficult-Keith already had them-but receiving them personally versus through an assistant carried an entirely different message. By delegating to Sawyer, Sebastian was clearly signaling to the Keiths and Vivian that their relationship would remain strictly professional.
Vivian’s disappointment flashed across her face, but she quickly masked it and cheerfully accepted Sawyer’s number.
Just because he wasn’t interested now didn’t mean she had no chance later.
I could almost hear Sawyer’s internal sigh: another woman hopelessly falling for the Alpha.
I found her quite charming, actually. Both were single, and she had no idea about Sebastian and Amara’s relationship. Why shouldn’t she try?
Still, disappointment awaited her.
Amara appeared then, supported by two female staff members. Despite her nap, she looked no more sober.
As we disembarked, Beta Sawyer and I exchanged hesitant glances, wary of another accusation of impropriety. Our silent communication was clear: let Sebastian handle Amara. Our eyes pleaded with him-please take care of this yourself.
Sebastian’s expression said everything words could not.
Amara leaned heavily against his arm, clearly intending to collapse if he didn’t support her.
He couldn’t abandon his branch manager in front of everyone, so he had no choice but to help her off the yacht.
At the dock, his driver had the car door open and waiting.
“Where’s your car?” Sebastian asked, adjusting Amara, who was draping her full weight against him.
“I don’t know,” she murmured, eyes closed, deliberately pressing against his chest.
Sebastian gripped her shoulders firmly, careful to keep her at a slight distance. “We’re not going the same way. Either call a driver or get a taxi.”
Beta Sawyer and I exchanged shocked looks.
He wasn’t going to take her home? That seemed harsh!
I thought silently: And they were just kissing.
Sebastian frowned at us. “Don’t just stand there-get her a taxi!”
Both Sawyer and I scrambled for our phones, frantically opening ride-sharing apps.
I couldn’t help but speak up. “Alpha Sebastian, I don’t think it’s safe for Ms. Amara to go home alone in this condition. Maybe we should take her to the hotel?”
“Ah, what a helpful suggestion,” Sebastian replied with a cold laugh.
It really wasn’t safe. Even for a wolf, intoxication dulls the senses and weakens defenses.
After a brief pause, Sebastian’s voice dropped low and absolute.
“Since it was your idea, you’ll be responsible for her at the hotel.”
He didn’t wait for a response.
With steady, practiced movements, he helped Amara into the car as if she weighed nothing, then slid in beside her, his expression unreadable.
I stood there, stunned.
What just happened?
Beta Sawyer shot me a look-half exasperated, half amused.
It clearly said: You overstepped. Now deal with it.
I opened my mouth, ready to protest.
I hadn’t meant to interfere. I only spoke out of genuine concern.
But what concern could ever outweigh an Alpha’s decision?
They were like wolves locked in a private battle-circling, biting, pulling each other close, then tearing away again.
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