Chapter 80

Cecilia I stood up quickly and reached for the drink with a smile. "Alpha Sebastian has a cold and can't drink. I'll take it for him." As I raised the glass to my lips, a hand intercepted it. "That won't be necessary. Sit down," Alpha Sebastian said. His tone was casual, but there was something protective in it that made my heart skip. Alpha Sebastian placed the glass back on the table, and the private dining room went completely silent. Xavier's grip on his own glass tightened dangerously. I caught the subtle flex of his knuckles, the way his jaw clenched. He looked ready to shatter the crystal in his hand. Around the table, reactions varied. Some exchanged knowing glances, others frowned slightly, while a few pretended not to notice the sudden tension. I lowered myself back into my chair, slightly dazed by Alpha Sebastian's intervention. I wasn't sure what game he was playing, but I instinctively knew to follow his lead. Whatever his intentions were, I'd support them. "Alpha Sebastia