8
1700 Words
CELESTE
When I woke up, I was momentarily disoriented by the soft sheets and the faint hum of voices outside. The servants’ chatter filtered through the slightly open door. They were talking quickly and excitedly.
I sat up slowly. My father must have made it official. Celeste Callahan, the long-lost daughter of the Dark Vine Alpha, was back and would be married off soon. The great Alpha Callahan didn’t waste time. He disliked that I kept my mother’s maiden name, Price, and preferred it to his.
The door creaked open before I could think too much. A pair of young maids entered, their eyes widening as soon as they saw me awake.
“Oh, Lady Celeste! You’re awake!” one of them gasped, nearly tripping over her own feet as she bowed.
“Alpha James said we’re to take care of you,” the other added, wringing her hands nervously. “Breakfast will be ready soon, but he asked us to prepare your bath and—”
“A bath?” I cut in.
They froze, waiting for permission to continue.
I sighed. “Fine. Go on.”
They darted about like busy bees, drawing the curtains, filling the tub, and laying out a silk robe. When the steam began to rise from the bath, I stripped and sank into it. The hot water licked at my bruised skin, easing the aches, thawing the cold that had settled deep in my bones since the poison. I tilted my head back and exhaled.
For the first time in months, I let myself feel… pampered. It was foreign, this indulgence having hands to serve, voices to obey, and comfort at my fingertips. I had missed it more than I wanted to admit.
At Blood Moon, there was no such thing as luxury. At Blood Moon, I served. At Blood Moon, I couldn’t afford to be pampered. I was Luna, but I was also the housekeeper, strategist, trainer, and healer rolled into one. We had nothing when I arrived.
When I met Robb, he was a struggling Alpha with more debts than allies, raising a son who barely respected him. But I loved him. Goddess help me, I loved him with everything I had. I was eighteen, rebellious, and suffocating under my father’s control. Robb was charming, with that wounded look that made me think I could fix him.
I gave him everything: my knowledge, my time, and my heart. I hid my lineage because I was afraid. I wanted something real. So I built Blood Moon into a fortress. All the ideas that made that pack into what it had now become were mine. Every single one of them.
Robb used to joke about how I could make miracles out of scraps and how I must have come from a wealthy family in my past life. The bastard didn’t know that I’d given up everything: wealth, power, and legacy for him, and the moment his pack thrived, he decided I wasn’t needed anymore.
I gripped the edge of the tub until my knuckles whitened. Anger surged through me like wildfire. I closed my eyes, forcing the vile memory of everything they did back down before it swallowed me. I was coming for blood. They would regret ever knowing me. I was going to destroy everything they hold dear. Blood Moon would be in a worse state than it was when I arrived, when I was done with them.
The maids returned with clothes, and I let them fuss over me. I even let them braid my hair.
“Thank you,” I murmured, and the maids nearly fainted with surprise. They curtseyed and hurried out, leaving me alone again.
When I finally descended the stairs, I entered the dining room with a steady gait, head held high. My father was already there, seated at the head of the table, surrounded by papers and half-eaten toast. He looked pleased. I stopped short at the realization that the table was only set for two.
“Where’s your soon-to-be son-in-law?” I asked lightly, forcing a smile.
My father didn’t look up from his papers. “He left before dawn. Something about affairs to handle in his own territory.”
My stomach dipped unexpectedly. I told myself I didn’t care. But the silence he left behind was loud.
“He left without a word?”
“He told me to tell you to rest,” Father replied, sipping his coffee. “And that he’ll return before the end of the week.”
I sat down, annoyed at the strange pang twisting in my chest. “How sweet.”
He chuckled, a low rumble that made my teeth clench. Then he set down his cup and leaned back.
“Where have you been all these years, Celeste?” he asked softly. “Who did this to you?”
There it was. The interrogation I knew was coming.
I picked up a croissant and tore it slowly. “Around.”
“Don’t mock me.”
“I’m not.” I popped a piece into my mouth. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
He studied me carefully. His eyes were so much like mine, cold, green, and relentless.
“You can tell me.”
I poured myself tea, ignoring the edge in his tone. “Father, I’ve been alive, mostly.”
His eyes hardened. “You disappeared for a decade without a word. Then you show up half-dead on my borders with the man who—”
“Don’t,” I warned.
He tilted his head. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t talk about Knox. Not now.”
A flicker of interest crossed his face. “Ah. Trouble already?”
I smiled faintly. “Wouldn’t you love that?”
He chuckled lowly, sipping his coffee. “You’ve grown into a viper. I almost pity him.”
“Almost?”
“I don’t waste pity on men who think they can handle a Callahan.”
For a second, I almost smiled. Then his expression shifted.
“What happened, Celeste?” he pressed again. “Who did this to you?”
My grip on the teacup tightened.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You will.”
“I said—”
“—you will.” His tone was final. Alpha-command, not fatherly concern.
I pushed back my chair. “You don’t get to order me around anymore.”
“I’m still your Alpha.”
“Barely.” I snapped, and just as I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
“Eat,” he said. “You’ll need your strength. Besides, we need to discuss. How do you want the wedding?”
I froze mid-step.
“What?”
“The wedding,” he repeated. “Since you’re so eager to take control of your life again, you might as well decide what it looks like.”
I turned slowly. “You’re asking my opinion?”
He shrugged. “You’ll be the bride. You might as well decide how it—”
“Will be big,” I interrupted.
He blinked. “What?”
“You asked how I wanted it, didn’t you?” I dabbed my lips with a napkin. “I want it, grand. A spectacle. I want every Alpha in the region to attend. I want music, roses, a sea of light. I want the world to remember it.”
His brows furrowed. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”
He frowned deeper. “You didn’t care for such things before.”
“Before I was young and naive.” I smiled.
Something flickered in his expression. “You’re plotting something.”
I tilted my head. “Am I?”
He stood, voice rising. “I know you, Celeste. You’re playing a game.”
“Then maybe you should learn the rules.”
He slammed his hands against the table, making the silverware jump. “Enough!”
We stared at each other in silence. Finally, he straightened, regaining composure. “If you think I’ll let you ruin this alliance, you’re mistaken.”
“Ruin it?” I laughed.
His nostrils flared. “I’m doubling your guards and restricting your movement until the wedding.”
My laughter echoed through the hall. “You think I care? Oh, Father, you haven’t changed a bit.”
I walked away, letting my laughter trail behind me. The sound of his frustration was almost satisfying.
Outside, the Pack grounds stretched endlessly. Servants moved about, tending to flowers, carrying messages, whispering. I didn’t care enough to listen until I heard:
“…almost attacked the Alpha!”
“No! You’re lying!”
“I swear, I saw it! After she fainted, he went mad. Said it was the Alpha’s fault she’d collapsed. He nearly hit him!”
“Goddess… What did Alpha James do?”
“Nothing! He just stood there! Knox’s eyes were glowing; he was snarling like a beast. He said if anything happened to her again, he’d burn the entire Pack to the ground!”
I froze. My breath caught in my throat. The image was absurd. The same Knox who used to mock me, now threatening an Alpha for my sake? It didn’t fit. It didn’t make sense.
I stepped closer to the corner, listening.
“They said he left right after that,” one maid whispered. “Stormed out into the rain.”
“Do you think they’ll still marry?”
The other girl sighed. “If he loves her that much, maybe.”
I almost laughed. Still… my chest ached. Why did it ache? Why did I feel this strange, restless tug under my skin?
I clenched my jaw and turned away. I didn’t care if Knox fought storms or my father or the gods themselves. I didn’t need saving. If Knox Morrison wanted to play the hero, he’d learn soon enough that I wasn’t the damsel he thought he was rescuing.
I was the storm he was walking into, and when I was done, neither he nor my father nor Robb would ever forget my name again.
- Writer
