His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 176

**Chapter 175: Unexpected Revelations**

**Author’s POV**

Almost three decades had slipped by like whispers in the wind, yet the moment their eyes locked, Esther Moore felt an undeniable recognition wash over her.

Zane Locke.

Time had etched fine lines across his once-smooth features and sprinkled silver through his hair, but his bearing remained as dignified as ever. He exuded an aura that commanded attention, a quiet authority that still made conversations falter when he entered a room.

And there he was, standing amidst a chaotic array of jasmine rice and organic quinoa, gazing at her as if she were a specter from a distant past—a life that lingered in his memory like a forgotten melody.

Zane Locke.

He was the eldest scion of the Locke dynasty, a name that resonated with both reverence and intrigue in political circles, and, in hushed tones, among those who navigated the delicate balance between the werewolf clans and the human realm.

VanDyck and Cecilia, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around them, exchanged glances, each sensing an inexplicable tension crackling in the air.

Esther felt her throat constrict, an instinctual response to the weight of the moment.

Her mother, Helena, had been a live-in housekeeper for the Lockes, spending countless years within their walls before Esther left for college in Denver. Yet, Helena had never breathed a word about knowing Zane personally to her daughter.

The electric atmosphere between them was palpable, an invisible thread connecting their past to the present.

VanDyck and Cecilia’s eyes darted between each other, both acutely aware that something was amiss.

“You’re Helena’s daughter… E… Emma?” Zane’s voice was tentative, as if he were sifting through the fog of his memories to find the right name for the youthful face he once knew.

Esther felt the color drain from her cheeks, her heart racing as if trying to escape her chest.

“No,” she corrected him, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. “My name is Esther.”

“Ah, right, Esther. My apologies,” Zane replied, his embarrassment evident in the slight flush that crept across his face. “It’s been so many years. How is your mother these days?”

“She’s well,” Esther managed, her voice steady yet strained, as if she were walking a tightrope of emotions.

Zane’s attention shifted toward Cecilia, his gaze scrutinizing her features with an intensity that felt almost invasive.

“Miss Moore is your daughter?” he inquired, his tone layered with curiosity.

“Yes, she’s my daughter,” Esther affirmed, grappling with the urge to shield Cecilia from Zane’s penetrating stare.

Cecilia, observing her mother’s unusual demeanor, recalled Mr. Locke’s peculiar reaction during their previous encounter at the restaurant weeks ago.

Her eyes flickered toward her father, but his expression remained inscrutable, a mask of calm amidst the storm brewing around them.

“Your daughter is beautiful,” Zane remarked, his eyes assessing Cecilia with a sharpness that made her feel both flattered and exposed.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Esther replied, offering a thin smile that barely concealed her unease.

Finally, VanDyck stepped in, positioning himself protectively in front of his wife and daughter, a subtle yet unmistakable gesture of defense. “Mr. Locke, we need to finish our shopping. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Zane nodded, his politeness unwavering. “Likewise.”

They exchanged brief farewells, and the Moore family hurriedly pushed their cart away, the air still thick with unspoken words.

Cecilia glanced back once, catching sight of Zane Locke, who remained rooted in place, his gaze lingering on them with an unreadable expression.

The remainder of their shopping trip unfolded in a heavy silence, an awkwardness that clung to them like a second skin.

VanDyck absentmindedly grabbed a bag of millet instead of the rice he had intended to buy, while Esther, who had initially expressed a desire for milk, returned with two boxes of frozen lasagna, the irony of her choices not lost on her.

Beside Harper stood Sebastian, a striking figure who seemed to command the room effortlessly, even in casual attire that likely cost more than my monthly rent. He held an elegantly wrapped gift box, a gesture that sent my stomach into a nervous flutter. What on earth was he doing here?

“Good evening, Mrs. Moore,” he greeted, his voice smooth and calm, imbued with an authority that made one instinctively straighten their posture.

My mother blinked, momentarily taken aback, but she quickly regained her composure, her poise that of a seasoned hostess ready to tackle any situation. “Well, hello there. Harper, is this your boyfriend?”

Harper let out a theatrical groan, a sound that could have secured her a role in an off-Broadway play. “Oh, Aunt Esther, please. If I ever got that lucky, I’d be humble about it for at least five minutes.”

Mom tilted her head, clearly perplexed. “Then who is he?”

Harper, relishing the moment, drew out the suspense as if she were unveiling a grand plot twist.

“He’s Cecilia’s…” She let the pause linger, watching as Mom’s face paled, her mind racing through a myriad of scandalous possibilities.

“…new boss,” Harper concluded sweetly, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I could almost hear her unspoken addition: *I was going to say new mate, but that might be too shocking.*

Mom finally nodded, blinking back her surprise. “Right. New employer. Cecilia did mention someone new at the office.”

But the real question loomed large in my mind—why was my boss at our family dinner?

I stepped out of the kitchen just in time, having turned the stove down to avoid any culinary disasters.

When I spotted Sebastian standing in our living room, all six-foot-something of him clad in a sleek black cashmere sweater, I halted mid-step.

“Mr. Black—what are you doing here?” The title slipped from my lips before my brain could catch up, the surprise evident in my tone.

“I invited him,” Harper quickly took the reins, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Since he helped resolve everything so smoothly, I thought it would be wonderful for him to join us in celebration.”