Chapter Four

Celine's POV

Clouds. Beautiful clouds drifting away, soft, weightless, pregnant with beauty. I traced invisible lines on the window, a feeling of nostalgia towards the city beneath us as the airplane approached the airport.

Last time I was in a plane like this, my heart was heavy, full of grief, hurt, bitterness and uncertainty but today, returning back to the place I left months ago, I shared the characteristics of the clouds-weightless, beautiful and alive.

“Are you ready?” A masculine voice asked, softly.

I smiled at him in response and nodded softly. “It's good to be back.”

A fleet of cars was awaiting us when we alighted and they greeted us with a magnitude of respect. Half an hour later, we checked in at the hotel we'd be staying at and I ordered some berry parfait, Greek yogurt and honey to deal with the jet lag.

“Are you sure you're ready for this? I can do it on your behalf, you know.”

I chuckled slightly as I scooped another spoonful of my yoghurt. “How long do you want to keep on keeping tabs on me like a baby Jerome? I can handle this.” I assured him.

“I know, I just don't know if you should be there before the official annual meeting.” He replied, worry lines caressing his forehead.

“I need this, if I am to handle such delicate businesses in the future, I've got to start big.” I assured him.

“You've closed more business deals in few months than I ever did in years.”

“That's because I'm a natural.” I joked and we both laughed, suddenly, he went silent.

“He's going to be there, you think you'll be fine?”

I paused for a moment, memories flooding my head.

“Why won't I?” I asked, meaningfully.

Jerome heaved a heavy sigh. “I'll pick you up by eight. Be ready.”

*****************

Everyone knew me as the orphan-the one found in the woods near the pack's boundary. I had no identity save for the the pendant the Alpha found on me. He raised me as his own and was elated when the goddess established a bond between his son and I but the truth remained that I had no identity of my own, I wasn't one of them.

What no one knew was that when I was thirteen, I wandered away from the pack, bullied and desperate to find my roots and I threw myself in front of a moving car but someone stepped out of the car and touched my forehead.

I remembered his smile and him hushing me to sleep but not without giving me a number, to call whenever I needed help.

“You look absolutely stunning Astra.” Jerome's voice jolted me out of my train of reminisce.

I smirked, proudly. “I know.”

He tuts and ushered me into a limousine. “We don't wanna be late.”

All through the ride, I stared out the window, every tree and object reminding me of the place I once called home, the pain, the laughter, the joy, the betrayal.

“Childhood memories?” Jerome said as we got to a crossroad. He pointed at a certain spot and nudged my shoulders. “Remember this place?”

“It's where we met for the first time, you almost ran me over.” I retorted, playfully.

“You threw yourself in front of the car.” He threw back and we laughed, softly.

“Why did it take you so long to reach out to me?” I asked, meaningfully.

“Oh, I did watch over you Astra, from the moment you were dropped in the woods to when you took your first steps and had your first everything.” He replied, quietly.

“My first everything?” I asked, a glint of mischief in my eyes.

He laughed and playfully knocked my head. “Not everything silly girl.”

He looked at me with warmth, with love and I could feel his sincerity, the pain of having to leave me there, of having to watch me suffer in silence and yet he couldn't do anything.

“I'm sorry I should've reached out to you, you suffered greatly as an outcast but I couldn't do anything, it wasn't time to act.”

I placed a hand on his, his tone depicted sorrow and regret. “You helped me when it matters, you're always here for me.”

The car stoped as we had arrived our destination. We both guffawed at the silliness and got off the car.

“This is it Astra, the first step to your identity. They bullied and called you an outcast, a girl without an identity or roots, show them your roots and announce your identity.” Jerome whispered into my ears, energizing and hyping me up.

I smirked mischievously as we walked in, hand-in-hand like a power couple. We were directed by the butler to the private meeting room where the most powerful members of the pack awaited our presence.

“Your Highness, it is this pack's greatest honor to have you-”

They rose to their feet, honoring our entrance and I lazily waved at them. I sat next to Jerome and maintained an imposing composure.

“Where's the alpha and beta of the pack? Their seats are empty, certainly you do not expect us to wait for them?” Jerome interjected, sternly.

“He's caught up in some work, he'll be here in a minute.” A familiar voice retorted and clanging heels rented the atmosphere.

“You are?” Jerome asked, scowling.

“Beta Arianna.” She replied, proudly, extending a hand for a handshake as she halted in front of us.

I graciously sipped my white wine and watched as Jerome's expression darkened. His killing intent increased seeing her face and I placed a hand on his laps, calming him.

“Does your Alpha need a beta to speak for him?” Jerome insulted, ignoring her handshake.

Her expression turned sour but she was saved by her knight in shining armor.

“Does your principles include disrespecting my beta?”

All rose to reverence Trent as he walked in his full glory. He halted in front of Jerome and nodded. He looked just as I remembered but older, it was as if something had plaque him. In his eyes was loss, evident.

The tension between him and Jerome became suffocating.

“We came to discuss business, let's stick with that.” I advised, dismissively.

He scoffed, not sparing me a glance before retreating.

“We're here to offer a business partnership and also officially invite you to the alphas meeting as we would be hosting it. The terms of business are already faxed to your beta, we just need to agree on it in the presence of your pack elites and you sign the contract.” Jerome said, straightforward.

Trent scoffed. “I'm not interested in the meeting and I can't sign the contract.”

I laughed sarcastically and he arched an eyebrow. “Well aren't you too stubborn for someone at the edge of a financial crisis? You've been inactive in the business world.”

He furrowed his brows and hit his hand on the desk. “My economy might be suffering but you expect me to sign a contract with someone who wears a veil? Him I know but what kind of a woman are you? Some long lost heiress found recently? I don't buy that hogwash.”

Jerome curled his fists into a ball, ready to throw a punch but I discouraged him from proceeding.

“Miss Astra, kindly remove the veil.” He insisted, smirking at Jerome.

The veil was a scheme to mask my scent so Trent wouldn't recognize me.

“You asked for it, don't regret it later.” I warned, sing-song.

I slowly removed the veil and watched as his arrogant smirk was replaced with a look of horror.

“Ce-ce-celine?” He stuttered.

“Hello Alpha Jerome, your future business partner, call me Astra.” I introduced, basking in my accomplishment.