81 Celene The cheerful chirping of birds was the first thing I noticed, but it barely registered over the pounding of my heart. The second was the blood rushing to my head, and the third was the warm, rich scent of cocoa and earth— of Mondrian that wrapped around me. Pulling me into comfort. His chest cradled my head as if it were the safest place in the world, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to melt into his embrace. Clearing my throat, I shifted slightly, placing my hands against him to create some distance. I expected him to let go, but instead, another arm slid around my waist, pulling me even closer. My breath hitched in surprise, my body now fully pressed against his. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured, his breath breath brushing my ears as his deep voice vibrated through his chest, scattering my thoughts. “We met last night,” I managed to reply, my voice barely steady. My fingers twitched against his chest, betraying the war inside me—the urge to lean into him and le
83 Mondrian The sound of hurried footsteps approaching shattered the moment between Celene and me. I stilled turning around to face the threat pushing Celene behind me. She looked up at me, her wide eyes full of curiosity and concern, but I had no time to explain. A soldier emerged from the corner, his face tinted with worry and his breathing ragged. This could have been avoided if he'd warped towards me, but I had the wizards cast a spell voiding the warping magic from working for this practice. I wanted to make sure Celene was protected in every way. Watching the soldier run towards me reassures my decision. I immediately straightened, my senses sharpening at the sight of him. “Alpha Mondrian,” he said, bowing slightly, his voice taut with confusion. “You’re needed at the gate. There’s... trouble?.” “Trouble?” The word hung in the air and I pondered over his tone. “What's going on?” The soldier bowed, his emotions flashing on his face with confusion evident, “Alpha I
84 Celene The training ground grew quiet after Mondrian left, the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds do little to fill the space he left behind as he rushes away. I stayed exactly where he told me to, searching around I settled down sitting cross-legged on the soft earth of the training ground, my arms resting on my knees. Despite my curiosity about what was happening, I decided to follow his instructions. He’d seemed... worried, and I didn’t want to add to his burden besides I felt it would be a good opportunity to trust in him. Still, my mind raced with questions. What could be so urgent that it pulled him away like that? And why had the soldier looked so tensed and confused when he had approached us? I sighed, brushing a wisp of my hair that had escaped my hair band back from my face. Focus, Celene. This was my chance to work on what we had started earlier. Maybe this time around my wolf would listen and I could turn. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting
85 Mondrian A sudden silence engulfed the area, my voice echoing through the trees, the rogues in tandem reacted to Celene's name, causing the warriors around to stand on guard. Alex’s head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing. “Are you sure?” “Look at them,” I said, gesturing to the rogues. “They aren't attacking. Barely doing anything but the moment they heard her name. See how they acted—wild. See their eyes, it's not on us is it?” Alex shook his head, turning to access the rogues. The longer I thought the surer I felt, “When I arrived we thought they were staring at me. We were wrong— they were staring behind me. And when they reacted the first time, it must have been to Celene's scent.” Alex cursed under his breath, his fists clenching. “What do you want to do, Alpha?” “Protect Celene at all times,” I said without hesitation. “Even if there's no chance of them getting to her, I want her protected. Issue a guard to follow her in hiding at all times.” Alex nodded, already
86 Celene The singing birds and Zara’s presence seem so far away, the once bright day and thoughts of hope dashed with the heaviness of pecan words. She was right. Her meaning was evident between the lines of words she never said, and yet I heard it. I had brought my terrible luck to White Fire, putting its people in danger. “Are you okay?” Zara's words of concern break into my thoughts drawing me out of the sadness that was quickly engulfing me, “I don't know what she said, but you shouldn't be listening to Pecan, Celene she is filled with spite. You know that don't you?” She asked, covering the space between us in large strides, her face etched with concern. Tears, large and hot well in my eyes ready to fall at any second, pecans eyes widened, pulling me Into a hug, “ Oh Celene. No. Don't cry. Whatever it is she said, you shouldn't believe her. Pecan is nothing but a manipulating wit—” “Is it true?” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “Is what true?” Zara asked, her chin pr
87 Celene Trust. It was such an easy word to say, yet so heavy. A word that could either make or break the toughest of situations. A word I had given freely and had gotten punished for it, Although I had learned my lesson with Ella and Christoff I find myself staring into the warm grey eyes of Alpha Mondrian. Thinking would it be wrong to trust one more time? Although the tension between Mondrian and me eased after the kiss, Although I couldn’t ignore the pain and guilt I had felt at Pecan's accusations, the need to defend myself grew deep within my heart. I couldn’t ignore the sincerity in his eyes when Mondrian held onto me, begging me to trust in him. Something about it all felt too real, or maybe It was my heart yearning for the warmth of a mate, the hope that this time around it would be different. Either way, I decided—throwing caution to the wind—to trust him. After all, hadn’t I clung to hurt and mistrust for long enough? Ella’s venomous words and Christoff’s betray
88 Celene This wasn't what I had in mind when I suggested you rest Celene,” Alera my wolf and now accomplice huffed at me as I sneaked out of my room and into white Fire's library. The library was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that pressed on my ears and made my footsteps feel too loud. I shouldn’t have been here, sneaking around without Mondrian knowing, but something deep within me urged me on. I was restless, the incomplete story of my mother, a constant hum urging me to uncover the mystery behind it all. What would have pushed my mother into giving it all up for another and why after everything the white wolves had done for the people, they are feared and cursed? Stepping into the library, a huge burden I didn't know I had is lifted from my shoulder as if it were welcoming me, wrapping me in an invisible embrace. Rows upon rows of books stretched before me, greeting me, their spines marked with titles that hinted at centuries of knowledge. At that moment I knew, I wo
89 Celene The Book holding the History of the Silver Wolves felt heavy in my hands, as I took it away from Alex, my breath caught in my chest as I flipped open the first page. Each word sprung to life as though they had wanted this from the very beginning. To be ready and pondered over, Alex raised his brows in amusement when I stumble on my feet, in my haste to sit. “Are you okay?” His tone light, holding me up with one of his arms, I quickly shake my head, my eyes never once leaving the pages. “Calm down Celene, the book..it's not going anywhere.” I didn't bother answering him, he couldn't possibly understand what was at stake, I would finally understand what had happened to my people, why my mother had made the decision she had…I could finally understand my true nature…everything. The book looked unassuming tightly wrapped with a dark red clothed cover, embossed on it, a wolf painted silver, excitedly I slowly unwrapped its cover. The rhythmic pounding of my heart is a test
CHAPTER 115 MONDRIAN POVThe door to my office opened, Alex walked in furious. “This is a mistake! You can’t let her go, She is all you have Mondrian do something.”“First of all, knock next time, secondly, I can’t do anything to change her mind, her mind is already made up” I tried to remain calm, and hope Alex doesn’t push me too hard, or else I might snap at him.. “There must be something you can do, maybe you did not beg her enough” he sounded desperate I know Alex was only trying to help, but he is pushing me to the wall, I have been trying to keep my cool, but I am almost at my breaking point right now. Taking a deep breath, I said. “If you were me, what would you have done huh!?”“Would you have wanted me to force her into staying here?” “Or maybe lock her in the cellar, and beg her to be mine before I release her?”“Do you think if there was anything else left, I would not have done it??” “It kills me,but I can’t force her to stay with me, or the curse would not be
114BeckyI walked out of the pack house with my head held high and my luggage rolling by my side. Zara stood by my side with a solemn expression.“Cheer up, Zara it's not like anybody died” I laughed, trying to cheer her up.“You are right. This is much more worse.” The laugh is been meaning to laugh turns into a dry chuckle before dying down into a sigh. She turned to me, “What happens next? Where will you go?”I shrugged at her words, looking away and into the horizon, “I'll make something up. I'm sure it will work out in the end.”“You can't put all your hope on fate Celene, “ she chastised, looking at me with anxiousness, “There is so much danger out there. You have to have a plan.”I chuckled, patting her shoulders, “It's okay I'm aware. I'll find a place to stay. I'm an adult I can take care of myself.”She hesitated, before heaving out a huge sigh, “Fine. If you say so.” she replied, swallowing what she had planned to sayI watched her expression switch with a myriad of emotio
113MondrianI flinched at her words, but I didn't show it, instead, I turned to an anxious-looking Alex, “It's okay you can go back.”Alex doesn't move his eyes switching between me and Celene, and annoyance flushes through me, “Go back, Alex.” I repeated, through gritted teeth.Alex looked as though he was contemplating his options, he took a deep breath and stared at me“Mondrian you have to tell her the truth. She had to know! This is a matter of life—”“Shut your damn mouth,” I roared, interrupting his sentence, Alex frowns but keeps his mouth shut. “I told you to stay out of it. I'll handle it okay?”He shuffles for a while longer before expelling a long sigh, “If you say so, Mondrian. I'll listen. But she has to stay. She can't leave, we need—”“Okay!” Zara cut through whatever he had planned to say, and from his eyes, I knew he wasn't pleased by her interruption as she continued, “It looks like you both have a lot to talk about.” She gave me a pointed stare and I was grateful
112Author’sBeta Alex stood before the two pairs of eyes glaring at him, his shoulders tensed over the sudden pressure, he could understand Celene's anger, but for the life of him didn't know why Zara was glaring daggers into his back.Ignoring this development his eyes glance over the pack's bags and arranged things and back at the woman who owned them. Expressing a deep breath, he finally spoke, “Princess Celene I need to talk to you.”If there's anything you have to say, you can do it here. I have nothing to hide.” She answered folding away a piece of clothing, Alex's brows rose, his teeth gritting.“It's about the Alpha.” Celene's arms froze midway, and she slowly turned towards him, her voice cold and firm, “Then I have nothing to say to you. I've heard all I need to about Mondrian. I don't need you to tell me anymore.”Alex gritted his teeth, taking a step into the room, “You don't understand, Celene. This is important. Mondrian has a reason for —-”I told you I don't want to t
111 Celene My legs moved on their own accord taking me farther away from the crowd and into the west gardens, a place I’d passed through a few times to get away from the bustle of the pack. In its way, it was a haven, and the goddess knew I needed it now. I heard Mondrian call for me but I didn't answer, I cannot. Tears fall freely down my cheeks as thoughts of the past months flit through my mind like some horror movie. If everything Ella had said to be true then I truly had been betrayed by everyone I knew, my father, my friends, and now Mondrian. At the thought of him, my heart twinged with pain, and along with it came an anger that almost seemed to consume me, and I screamed, punching a tree trunk, “That bastard! He used me! He did this to me!” The more I shouted the more rage I felt, I had never felt this way for another person not for Violet Ella, or even my father, their betrayal I had always expected, but not from Mondrian. Not him. Why him? “Celene, calm down, let'
Chapter 110 Celene Anger washed through me at her words without thinking I walked towards her and slapped her, “You have some nerves.” I spat grabbing her jaw, “After everything you've done. You come to my pack and accuse people. How dare you?” Her eyes widened in shock at the attack, Ella had never seen me get angry or use force, “it's true I'd never lie!” She shouted struggling against the guards “You have to listen to me Celene, Your so-called Alpha is the devil. He sent me after—” “Shut up!” Mondrian ordered shocking us both, confused I turned to find him glaring at Ella, “If you know what's good for you, then you better keep your mouth shut.” Ella laughed at his words, “or else what? You'll kill me? Maim me. Celene can't you see, he's threatening me to protect his image.” Confused I looked over at Mondrian, his eyes refusing to meet mine, but the trust I had for him was overwhelming scoffing I stepped away from Ella, “It's good to know that the leopard never changes its s
CHAPTER 109 Celene POV. “Celene i….” Mondrian was about to say the reason why he brought me out before we heard the alarm bell ringing. Immediately Mondrian hands stretched into claws, pulling me behind him. “stay here, while I go, check it out” he said sharply. “If you think for a second, I'm going to stay here like a fucking damsel in distress while the pack is under attack, then you'll have to think again” I snapped, pulling his claws away from me, “I am going with you whether you like it or not.” I added, raising my chin to meet his. His eyes darkened, and he growled. “Are you out of your damn mind, definitely not I forbid it,” “And who is going to stop me,” I asked, crossing my arms, “I'm going to follow behind whether you like it or not.” “No! Celene, it could be dangerous out there,” he reasoned, his voice lower than before, “ and I don’t want you getting hurt, I won't be able to forgive myself should any harm come your way.” I leaned into his warmth, my skin ting
CHAPTER 108 CELENE P.O.V Nothing prepared me for the aftermath of transformation. I could feel the energy within me surging, my senses heightened and my power flowed freely. I had never felt this way, not when I'd attacked Purple Pack or when I had transformed in front of Mondrian. It was as though the full moon was enhancing every part of me. Without thinking I raised my head and howled to the moon. One became two and soon everyone was howling along. With a chuckle I turned, my eyes searching for Mondrian, only to find his eyes already on me, his lips tugged up in a smirk and something flashed within his eyes— pride. Before I could speak he stepped back and began his transformation, his bones breaking and rearranging until he stood before me on all fours, big and beautiful with beautiful red–orage fur that looks as though on fire. The moment our eyes clashed, the attraction was instant, his scent wafted into my nose, pulling me into a feathery embrace. My wolf jumped in excite
CHAPTER 107 MONDRIAN P.O.V As the full moon festival drew closer, I could feel my power growing, my senses heightened, I could feel the moon's power calling me, stirring my instinct. Increasing my strength and speed. I have been busy making preparations for the full moon festival, our defense has been strengthened, it was a special time for my pack, and I needed to make everything perfect. My mind raced, as I wondered how Celene was faring, I had been so busy as the head of the pack, making arrangements, and giving out instructions that I hadn't had the time to see Celene in a while. If I have been sincere, I have been avoiding her. I can’t seem to see her right now, not after everything. I need to make it right first, to build a new relationship with trust. “Your Highness” Alex walked in. The scouts are ready for the hunt,” It was the tradition of the pack, that the leader of the pack leads the scouts to hunt for meat used for the festivities. “Okay, and the decorations