LOGINCeleste’s POVI woke up the next morning with completely renewed energy. I felt unstoppable.I tossed the blankets aside and padded into the small bathroom, flipping on the harsh overhead light. But the second I looked in the mirror, my breath hitched.My eyes went wide, tracing the dark, aggressive purple and red bruises littering my neck, my collarbones, and the tops of my breasts. They were proof of just how ruthlessly Caius had claimed my body. For a split second, and I frantically turned my neck to check the sensitive skin at the crook of my shoulder.Thank the Goddess, I thought, letting out a heavy, shaking sigh of relief. He hadn't marked me. The permanent, soul-binding bite of an Alpha was nowhere to be seen. I was still my own woman."Good morning."I violently jumped, spinning around.Caius was leaning casually against the bathroom doorway, his massive arms crossed over his chest. He was dressed in dark, expensive casual wear, looking devastatingly handsome and completel
Celeste’s POV"Yes," he answered instantly. "Of course.""Then..."I didn't give him time to brace himself. I grabbed the heavy lapels of his jacket and pulled him forward with all the remaining strength I had left. My legs finally gave out. Gravity took over, and we tumbled backward together. I landed heavily against the soft cushions of my couch, and Caius crashed down directly on top of me, his massive hands instantly bracing against the armrests just in time to catch his own weight so he wouldn't crush me.His muscular thighs caged my hips, his chest hovering just an inch above my burning skin. "Hurt me," I begged with a desperate sob.Every muscle in his massive frame instantly locked. "Cece... I can't hurt you.""Do it," I cried underneath him, my hands sliding desperately up his hard chest to grip his shoulders. My inner wolf was screaming, clawing at my chest, completely starved for his Alpha energy. "I want it now so much it hurts... do what you want to do with me. Heal
Celeste’s POVOlivia frantically scanned the ballroom, her eyes darting through the crowd. When she finally realized that Caius was actually gone—that he hadn't stayed to watch her grand entrance—all the arrogant fight instantly drained out of her. She didn't even try to argue with me anymore. She just kept frantically searching the faces of the elite, completely humiliated.I crossed my arms, suddenly exhausted by the petty drama. I turned back to Nathan, offering him a polite, dismissive smile. "What a nice night, but I've had my fun. I have to go."Nathan’s brow furrowed. "You're leaving? Are you sure you can go alone?""Of course I can," I scoffed, raising a delicate eyebrow at him. "What do you think of me, Nathan? A helpless child?"Before he could argue and insist on escorting me, several high-ranking members of his pack approached, demanding his attention for pack business. I didn't wait for him to dismiss them. I simply took the opportunity, excusing myself and slipping
Celeste’s POV"Sure!" Ellie and Shane chimed in unison, entirely too eager.Angela instantly linked her arms through theirs, happily dragging them off toward the crowded edge of the dance floor while throwing a thrilled, knowing glance over her shoulder at Nathan and me.Nathan extended his large hand toward me. I placed my fingers gracefully into his palm. As he led me through the crowd, I flicked my gaze across the room toward the VIP bar. Caius was standing completely still, his stare locked dead onto us. The knuckles of his hand were completely white, gripping a crystal whiskey glass so hard I was shocked it hadn't already shattered into dust.But he didn't take a single step forward. He was actually forcing himself to keep his promise. He was letting me choose.The second we reached the center of the dance floor, Nathan didn't hesitate. He pulled me gently but firmly flush against his solid chest. His large hand slid around my waist, his long fingers resting dangerously close
Celeste’s POV"Caius," I said softly to make him calm down. "Your obsession is completely misplaced. I shouldn't be the thing you are losing your mind over."He let out a ragged breath, his jaw clenching as his grip tightened marginally on the silk at my waist, but I didn't let him interrupt."You are a pureblood Alpha," I continued, speaking to him not as a frightened girl, but as his undeniable equal. "You should be obsessed with your legacy. You should be focused on your territory, your strength, and how to become the toughest Alpha your pack has ever seen. Not reducing yourself to this—cornering me against a wall like a sad, desperate boy, begging a woman to manage your sanity for you."I saw the sharp flash of shock in his eyes. The brutal honesty of my words cut straight through his feral haze like a blade, but I pressed on, my tone softening just enough to show him I wasn't doing this to be cruel."If you think this jealousy is love, or that stripping away my choices is how you
Celeste’s POVI glanced nervously toward the window, where the heavy rain was still lashing against the glass. "But it's pouring," I said softly, looking back at his towering, damp frame. "Are you sure you want to go out to the summer night tradition in this kind of storm?"Caius took a deep breath. "Just wear it. Please."My breath actually caught in my throat. Please? Did he just beg me?Unable to argue with that, I gathered the heavy silk in my arms and retreated into my small bathroom. I slipped out of my clothes and carefully stepped into the burgundy gown. As I pulled the fabric over my shoulders, I couldn't help but stare at my reflection in the mirror. It hugged every single curve of my body.The high slits made my legs look miles long, and the plunging neckline was scandalous but undeniably stunning.I reached around to pull up the delicate hidden zipper running down my lower back, but my fingers could barely grasp the tiny metal tab. I twisted awkwardly, letting out a fru







