3. MOVING ON

CELESTE

“What the actual fuck?!” A familiar voice rang out as she stepped into my room, and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

Hilary.

If anyone would yell at a heartbroken woman on sight, it would be my best friend.

Her heels clicked against the floor as she pushed the curtain open. “One would think your husband died, not just cheated on you,” she muttered under her breath, sinking her weight next to me.

I didn’t respond.

A week had passed since Declan signed the papers. I hadn’t stepped out of my room once, let alone spoken to anyone. The curtains stayed drawn, and the air felt heavy. Even breathing felt like too much effort.

My eyes were dry as a desert. No tears left, no anger either. Just… nothing.

“I can’t believe you allowed that bastard to do this to you,” Hilary said, clenching her teeth. “He should thank the moons that I wasn’t around when it happened. By the moons, if I come anywhere near him, I’ll be the one to send him to an early grave.”

I felt nothing. Not even the urge to stop her. Hilary had always been the wild one between us. She was crazy. Unhinged. And as a Gamma, she could be reckless when she wanted to be.

“Are you really going to let this be the end of you?” she asked, staring at me with a worried look. “You need to get yourself back. You are Celeste Raven Harrington for a reason. Girl, act like one!”

A small smile curved my lips at the mention of my full name. Sometimes, I even forgot how powerful it sounded, especially with a last name like mine.

“Your father called me over because he thinks you have mourned enough. It’s about time you rise to be the queen you are raised to be.”

Declan had been my dream. Heck, my whole life revolved around him so starting afresh felt impossible. But Hilary was right. I can no longer stay here, mourning what was never truly mine. Declan made his choice. It’s about time I make mine and avenge the death of my baby who never got the chance to live.

I sat up, taking Hilary by surprise. My gaze drifted to the mirror, and when I caught a reflection of myself, something broke inside me.

Declan was right. 

I was a weak defect who couldn't even shift. If it weren't for my father’s influence, I would be nothing.

That was what they all thought. That a werewolf without her powers was useless. If only I had stayed at home that night…

My wolf might be broken, gone even, but it shouldn't reduce my worth. True power shouldn't come from our supernatural abilities, and it's about time I prove it to the world.

I'm a Harrington. I was born ready, and no one can stop me now.

…..

“I want a position at the company,” I said to my father, dressed in a pantsuit, determined to make a name for myself.

My father dropped the pen in his hands, looking stunned into silence.

“You're ready…?” He asked carefully, and I could see the pride that swelled in his eyes.

“I'd also like you to introduce me to your friends,” I added. “I'll need a few connections to run a business.”

His lips curved into a smile as he nodded.

“You came at the right time. How about you attend the gala tonight on my behalf? You can take Hilary with you since she has more experience, and I’ll have my secretary guide you.”

I wasn’t prepared for that. Declan and I had just gotten divorced, and I was sure the whole pack were already talking about it. The last thing I needed was to run into him, or have anyone mention his name beside me.

I hesitated for a while, shifting my weight from one leg to another, weighing my options. If I were to take over my father’s business, there was no way I could avoid meeting him in the future, so why not now?

“It’s okay if you’re not ready. We can just skip tonight…”

“No, I will go,” I said, taking my father by surprise.

He arched his brows, studying my face before choosing his next word. “People would be watching tonight,” he started. “Declan is already taking the Alpha’s duty because his father is too weak to do that now. Can you handle the pressure?”

My father might be a powerful and well respected elder in the council and a successful businessman, but at home, he is just a father who would do anything for his daughter. Maybe I got too comfortable with that and relied on him a bit too much, but even that was about to change.

“Let them talk. I can handle it.”

He nodded. “Get ready by Seven. Tristan will escort you.”

I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as I stepped out of my father’s office. Who was I kidding? I might be his daughter, but I didn’t possess half of his confidence. Going to that gala tonight could shatter me completely, but I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try.

Hilary didn’t wait for my call before she stepped into my room with a handful of bags. She threw them across the bed, panting slightly.

“Try them on,” she ordered.

I looked between the bags that took over my whole bed and Hilary as if she had grown two heads. “Are you crazy? I don’t have the time to play dressup.”

She walked to my bed, glancing through the bags before shoving one to my chest. “Try this first. You are making your first appearance in public after a year of… marriage,” she snorted. “You have to look your best. Let them gasp at your sight. Give that bastard a show of what he missed and claim your crown.’

She seemed pretty determined that I couldn’t even argue with her.

We spent thirty minutes trying all the dresses, when she finally settled for one.

“Now, this is what I am talking about,” she smirked. 

I turned to check my reflection, and my breath froze.

“H-have you gone mad?!”

The dress clung tightly to my curve, highlighting every inch of my body. My back was bare and the only thing covering it was a strap that crossed behind the dress. It was slit from my hips down to my legs, showing off my long leg, and the chest? The indecent amount of cleavage showing is enough to make me gag.

“I’m trying to be a businesswoman, not an escort,” I snapped.

She placed her hands on her chin, checking me out, and I could swear she wasn’t even listening.

“I knew red would come out nice on you. I got this jacket just for it.”

“Hilary!”

“What?” she snapped, startling me. “You were only married for a year, and you’ve already lost all sense of taste? No one is going to respect you out there unless you demand for it. And the first way to do that is to command the atmosphere through your presence. Let your confidence do the talking, and watch them grovel all over you.”

“I’m not sure this is a good idea…”

“Well, I am. Which is why you’ll wear this dress and show those fuckers that with or without Declan, you are a queen, and you’ll shine brightly.”

It had been so long since I dressed up like this, but when Hilary finished my makeup and styled my hair, I couldn’t help but feel a little reassurance.

“Tonight is all about you, girl,” Hilary said, holding my hands. “Get a few scores with the investors, or even a man to end the night,” she winked,and I slapped her shoulder.

“I’m done with men,” I said sternly.

“Ugh, that is only because you haven’t met a real man.”

Tristan was already waiting outside when we finished. Hilary and I settled in as he drove us to the venue, but I couldn't stop my heart from racing. 

Tonight isn’t just about proving anything, It is to remind myself that I am not weak and begin a new journey.

The camera flashes on our face as soon as we step out of the car. Cars were parked everywhere, reporters shoving their cameras in our faces, barely giving us a space to breathe.

“I am here,” Hilary whispered beside me as she led the way in.

“How can she show up here?”

A voice echoed in a distant. I could feel a piercing gaze on my back without turning, and it felt like I was being watched.

“I guess she’s looking for a new man. After all, her marriage with Declan had crashed.”

“Poor thing.”

“Poor thing? If it weren’t for daddy’s resource, how can a defect dream of becoming the future Luna? How pathetic.”

“That explains why your business failed barely two months after you opened it,” Hilary said, suddenly stopping to face the group of girls talking.

“You fucking bitch!” 

The ladies stepped forward, eyes flashing with rage as they glared at Hilary.

Heads turned towards our direction, and I could see everyone pointing fingers. My nails dug into my skin, as I forced myself to breathe.

“Hilary…”

“No, let them,” she dismissed me. “Haven’t we all heard about how you sleep with older men to fund your business?” Her face flushed, but Hilary didn’t give her time to respond before turning to another girl in their gossip group.

“Don’t you think calling someone a defect is huge, coming from a lowly omega who rose to the top by marrying someone old enough to be her father? If I were you, I would respect myself and get the hell out of here.”

She didn’t need to repeat herself. The ladies hurried away, looking embarrassed.

The camera flashed from different angles. My throat burned and I could feel tears blurring my vision. Their words clung to my skin like poison.

Maybe they were right.

I turned on my heels, rushing down the hallway as Hilary yelled after me.

“Celeste! Celeste wait!”

I didn’t slow down. I grabbed my dress and ran down the hallway until my ankle twisted. A sharp gasp tore from my lips as the world tilted. I braced for the impact, but instead, strong arms wrapped around me like a shelter.

I opened my eyes slowly to see who it was, and my stomach churned.

I didn’t know which was worse. Being saved by a glorified asshole, or his smug expression.

“We meet again, Raven.”