LOGINVictor POV " No one has ever done that for me before." Celeste's words cut me deep. I could not control the ache that spread through my heart when I heard that.Just what has my mate gone through? How was her childhood? One thing I know and can tell so far, it wasn't smooth. I can't help but wish there's a way I could erase all the past pain. Maybe that's why she turned into the person she was, always competing and trying to put others down." You have me now. Forget about the past and let's live the moment and the future the moon Goddess has planned for us."I take her face into my hands, my fingers tracing the delicate bones of her jaw. I want to kiss her, to erase the memory of Jerald's ugly words with the touch of my lips.But I hold back. This is not the right time. This is not the right place. She's been through a lot tonight, and the last thing I want is to push her." Let's get you home," I say, my voice soft.She nods, her eyes never leaving mine. I can see the trust in th
Celeste pov Jerald stood before us like a bad dream, one that I was desperate to get rid of. He looked nothing like the Jerald I knew two months ago. His face, which was once graceful now just looked ugly and twisted. His eyes were dark and narrowed and held a familiar venom. He was dressed casually… too casually I'd say for someone's who was always very mindful of their looks. "Jerald," I called, my voice cold. My earlier vulnerability that I showed Victor instantly crystallized into a familiar, protective armor. I let go of Victor's hand, taking a half-step forward and placing myself between him and my ex husband. This was my mess, my past. I wouldn't let it touch him or be tainted by it. "The whore finally speaks," Jerald sneered, taking a swig from a bottle I didn't see initially. The smell of cheap liquor wafted over us and I scrunched my nose. "Did you tell your new friend here how you operate? Lure them in with that pretty face and that tight body, then sink your claw
CelesteI had been anxious the whole day and I didn't know why. Scrap that, I did know why. Victor was taking me out to dinner. My mate was asking me out on a date and I was fucking excited yet scared that I might mess it.This was my second chance and I didn't want to ruin it for myself. I deserved it, right?I was putting on a red shade of lipstick and I couldn't help but wonder if it was too much. I mean, I had changed shades three times. Same thing with the dress, even the lingerie ... I knew, it was even stupid since Victor might not even have been interested in anything intimate with me that night.But what if he was?I took a deep breath, my gaze fixed on my reflection. The woman staring back at me was a stranger to my eyes.Her hair was styled in soft waves, her makeup was flawless, and the deep green dress she was wearing clung to her curves in all the right places. She looked... confident and desirable.I took one last look at myself and nodded. That was it. That was the new
Celeste povIt has been three days after Victor left with the Alpha, Alpha Lucian to what he described as a pack related meeting. I have been staying here at the pack, helping out where I can and getting to know the people here. I have to say, the pack members have been good to me. Or maybe I am just the nasty one who would have given someone new a hard time considering what I did to Katy. They have not judged me, not even asked about my relationship with Jessica even when I know they already know about it. I get to sleep, eat and train with the others as a family. A family. The name tastes familiar yet unfamiliar in my tongue. I used to have a family back at my previous pack. A family that thrived at comparing each other and fighting to be recognized. Maybe that is what brewed the enmity I felt towards Katy.I have to admit that stealing jerald from Katy even when I knew he was her fated mate was my way of proving that I was better than her. I am not proud of that though. Look
Lucian pov Katy falls asleep not long after her head hits the bed. I watch her sleep in my arms, my heart swelling with love. I think about what would have happened if I hadn't met her. Where would I be right now? I would probably be that man I was, drinking, whoring around and being miserable. Meeting Katy changed my life, it gave me a new purpose. A purpose to live. A purpose to love. She was my second chance and it still makes me mad that I almost messed it up. Gently, I brush a stray strand of hair from her forehead, my fingers lingering on the soft skin of her cheek. She stirs but doesn't wake, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She looks so peaceful and innocent, completely unaware of the turmoil she's endured tonight. A new wave of anger cuts through my lingering guilt. Serena. She did this. She waltzed back into my life like she owned it and used a past I had forgotten to stain my present and future. My hands clench into fists at my sides. The urge to hunt her dow
Lucian povI hurt her this time. I did the thing I promised to never do to Katy. Seeing that look of pain in her eyes... It shattered me.I should have told her about Serena before but I would be lying if I said I even remembered that woman. She was nobody significant in my life, just a woman who was unlucky enough to sleep with me and get pregnant. When we lost the child and she left, I couldn't describe that feeling as pain or heartache.. If anything, I felt... relieved. I felt like a free man who could finally think straight again.Maybe this was the universe's way of punishing me for being so selfish and not considering the feelings of that woman.But did I deserve to lose Katy over it?No, absolutely not. I wasn't going to let this come between us.I'd give her the space she needed but not too much. A few minutes, an hour at most. I wasn't going to let her sleep in a different room and let this doubt fester overnight. This was a wound that had to be cleaned out now, no matter
KatyThe walk toward the assembled pack felt like it took forever and no time at all.Every step brought us closer to the raised platform where the elders stood, their faces expressionless as they watched our approach.I recognized some faces in the crowd…pack members I'd seen around, people from L
Katy The crowd went silent, everyone turning to stare at her.Lucian tensed beside me, ready to intervene but I placed my hand on his arm."Let me handle this," I said quietly.He looked at me, surprised, then nodded and stepped back.I just promised to be the Luna they needed so how could I accep
Katy pov"What red set are you two talking about?"The deep, warm voice came from behind us and Nova's entire face lit up like the sun breaking through clouds."Darvis!" She spun around, practically launching herself into the arms of a tall, broad-shouldered man with kind eyes and an easy smile.Da
Katy povThere was a long moment of silence. Then Celeste let out a sob. Not a laugh of mockery like I expected but a sob. "Oh, Katy," she whispered. "You don't have to lie to protect yourself.” She said, her voice filled with kind fakeness, a ploy to make her appear loving and caring to my parent







