The Alpha Who Melts The Ice

Episode 18

CELESTINE

The private jet Grayson hired is luxurious and comfortable. I have always loved travelling. Mostly, I would go out as a keynote speaker at some convention, or meeting with business counterparts, but for the first time, I am feeling uneasy. I try to focus on the beautiful man beside me to keep me calm, but at the same time, he is the cause of the turmoil that is brewing in the pit of my stomach.

Whenever I travel, I would always return home - to the New Moon Pack. Now as I sit here, I am full of uncertainty. Of course, New Moon will always be a home to me, and I know that no matter what, I am still welcome to visit. I am still not settled on calling Grayson's pack my pack. Everything is happening so fast.

Grayson must have sensed my uneasiness, as he tries to calm me down by making small talk. He would give me tidbits about his pack, a little bit of background. I realized that I really don't know much about him. Nothing about his family except that his father has passed, and nothing much about his pack. More so, for the first time in my life, I actually give a s**t about what people would think of me or if they will accept me at all.

"Hey Baby, a penny for your thoughts? You seem to be distracted.." Grayson asked as he lifted my hand to his lips.

"Just nervous, I guess. I mean, this is the first time that I will be meeting with people that is not related to business or making deals, so I am so out of my comfort zone." I nervously laughed.

"Relax, Les. The pack will love you for sure. They have waited for so long for a Luna. Just like your old pack, everyone are reverent to the Moon Goddess and her wishes. They wouldn't even think about questioning her." He rubbed my arm to assure me. 

After a 30 minute ride from LAX, we turned to a private road leading to a massive wooden gate. This is the Lark's residence in LA. Grayson stays here when he has business matters to attend to outside the pack. The house is expansive and beautiful that has an old charm. The outside has arches and columns that already scream old Hollywood glam.

"Welcome to your new home away from home" Grayson said as he helped me off the SUV

"It's beautiful, Grayson! And I love that it's just a few minutes from my house" I said. I made a mental note to drop by and check on it one of these days.

"Of course, you have a house in LA." He rolled his eyes at me. "I must be the Moon Goddess' favorite in the world. She gave me a mate that is beautiful, smart, sexy and loaded!" He winked at me. I swatted his arm and laughed along.

The front door burst open and out came running a tall, lanky woman with long, ash brown hair and threw herself at Grayson. For some reason, I got irritated, but I kept my mouth shut.

"Welcome home! How was your trip? You must be hungry I had the chef prepare early dinner for you, guys." The girl rapid fired. Then she turned to me. "Oh my Goddess! You must be Celestine!" Her voice raised a few notches higher and louder and caught me in a bear hug. "Oh my goodness you're so pretty! I've heard so much about you! Adam and Brandon has been keeping me in the loop.' I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Ummm,,, hi?" I said. She obviously know I am already. I looked at Grayson who was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Juliet, give her some space, will you? Celestine, meet my sister Juliet." Grayson said. That's when I started to see, the same ash-brown hair, the same blue eyes, same wide smile.

"I'm sorry Juliet, Grayson never told me he has a sister" I said accusingly at Grayson.

"Umm... Surprise???" He said in his boyish tone. We all laughed together

"That's ok, Celestine, I can see why he wouldn't think about mentioning me, I'm sure he got.. distracted" Juliet said and flashed me that wide grin. I felt my face flush at her insinuation.

"Please, call me Les, or Cee. Celestine is a mouthful!" I say.

"Only if you call me Jules! Juliet's a mouthful too! Deal?" We shook hands and headed inside the house. I really like Juliet. She's chatty and fun, plus she's two years younger than me. I never really had a female friend that's close to my age range.

"You look really familiar, Les, have we met before? I'm really good at faces, you see." Jules said. She was inspecting me so close as if I was a bug under a microscope.

"Maybe at a convention? I am often invited as keynote speaker, or probably I was a guest lecturer to one of your subjects in college?" I say.

"I major in Arts and as you can see, I have the attention span of a goldfish so lectures aren't really my thing. I am sure I have seen you somewhere before.." Juliet insisted.

"Fashion week? I attended a couple of times but never in LA though. In New York, perhaps?" I supplied.

"Nope, I only go here in LA as this is the only place Big Brother allows me to go" she said.

"Ugh! My head will hurt but I need to figure out how I knew you before today. We have a long time to figure that out. We'll have soooo much fun!" She said as we walk arm in arm.

"Oh my Goddess, help me!" Grayson dramatically said.

I was right about the house. Inside the walls are beige, the furniture are dark wood and black. Floor to ceiling windows all around give the house an elegant feel. The artistry put in the intricate details on the columns and high ceilings all scream extravagance.

Jules excused herself to check on the dinner preparations. Adam and the other warriors all went their own ways.

"C'mon Les, I'll show you to our room so you can rest up a bit while I make some phone calls." Grayson said as he led me towards the master bedroom.

"Wait, this is your room." I said. My mind already wandering to places I should not be.

"I am aware of that. This is OUR room. Did you forget where you have been sleeping the past couple of nights?" The last part he whispered lowly. I shivered at his voice. "Besides, all guest rooms are taken." He said with a wolfish grin which is why I refuse to believe that statement.

Shortly, our suitcases were brought in the room and Grayson left me alone. I scanned the masters suite, it looks like it was ripped from the pages of a fairy tale! In the center of the room is a king-sized four-poster bed, a lounging area with a 50 inch tv set, a fireplace, and a balcony with a breathtaking view of the garden.

 I stepped in the bathroom to take a shower. Even this space is pure luxury. I longingly looked at the clawfoot bathtub that stands by a large window. I am already fantasizing spending a few hours, at night, when the stars are out, candles everywhere, with a bottle of wine and a nice book to read... or maybe it will be better if I am kept company by..... 

"Stop, Celestine! Not a good time to think kinky thoughts!" I berated myself.

I took a shower and I feel the fatigue from travel dissipating. I was just about to change into more comfier clothes when my phone started to ring from inside the room. I hate missing calls, plus I already know who my caller is. I wrapped a towel on my head and another around me and prodded out of the bathroom.

"Hello Mother! I was just about to call you. I was just in the shower" I answered the phone without having to look at the caller ID.

"Oh, Sorry honey! I just wanted to make sure you landed safe" said my Mother. She always had impeccable timing. Every time I travel, she would beat me in picking up the phone.

I had to cut the conversation with my mother because I heard Grayson calling my name as he opened the door and entered the bedroom.