Chapter 51: Invitation
Chapter 51: Invitation
(Celeste’s POV)
The pain of my silver burns lingered, a dull ache that served as a constant reminder of everything I had endured.
Lucas’s face flashed in my mind, his accusations still fresh, his anger seared into my memory
like the marks left on my back.
I had kept to my quarters since the Sacred Moon Temple incident, unwilling to face the
scrutiny of the pack or the insufferable presence of Scarlett.
As I leaned back against the cold wall of my room, my thoughts spiraled. The silence around
me felt deafening, yet it was the only reprieve I had. My violet eyes closed briefly, but before I
could center myself, a knock broke the stillness.
The door opened without waiting for my response. Nina stepped in, her sharp gray eyes observing me carefully. Her posture was tense, yet her loyalty never wavered.
“Lady Celeste,” she said softly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Scarlett came earlier.”
The name alone brought a fresh wave of irritation. My lips tightened, but I stayed silent,
waiting for her to continue.
“She said she wanted to show you the rare moonflowers blooming in the pack’s sacred garden,
”
Nina added with a small scoff. “Claimed they could help your recovery.”
Scarlett’s alleged concern was laughable. I let out a short, dry chuckle, my words dripping with
disbelief. “How considerate of her.”
Nina’s lips twitched slightly, her wolf showing hints of amusement. “I didn’t let her in. Told her
your injuries were still too severe for visitors.”
My eyes softened as they met hers. “Good. Thank you, Nina.”
Her wolf seemed to straighten at those words, its stance proud. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother you again.”
Something stirred in me then–gratitude, tinged with guilt. Nina’s loyalty went beyond her
duties as a guard. She had stood by me when others wouldn’t. Quietly, I reached for the small drawer beside my bed. From it, I retrieved a moon–blessed crystal, faintly glowing under the
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Chapter 51: Invitation
dim light of my room.
I held it out to her. “Take this.”
Nina’s eyes widened, her fingers brushing the smooth edges of the crystal. “Lady Celeste, this.
is… too much.”
“It’s not enough,” I said firmly, meeting her gaze. “You’ve done more for me than I can ever
repay.”
Her voice wavered slightly. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her wolf radiated warmth, the loyalty
between us solidifying further.
As Nina exited the room, the quiet returned. Yet, my mind felt no peace. Scarlett’s sudden
attempts to engage with me only fueled my suspicions. It wasn’t kindness that brought her to
my door, but strategy. She was always calculating. Always playing her role.
The sting of Lucas’s betrayal came rushing back. His golden eyes filled with anger. His words
sharper than any blade. I shook my head, pushing the thought away.
Suddenly, another knock pierced the silence, sharper this time. Nina reentered, her steps brisk.
She carried a scroll in her hand, its edges sealed with the unmistakable symbol of royal
authority.
“It’s from Marcus,” she stated flatly, extending it toward me.
My stomach twisted at the sight of the seal. My wolf recoiled instantly at the thought of him-
his sadistic smirk, his cruel aura. But I reached out, taking the parchment into my hands.
“Let me guess,” I said bitterly, my tone dripping with disdain. “An order disguised as an
invitation?”
Nina’s brow furrowed. “The seal’s been tampered with,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Alpha James or someone close to him inspected it before it reached you.”
Of course he had. The Winters Pack couldn’t afford to misstep again, not after the Sacred Moon Temple disaster. Every move I made was scrutinized, every interaction weighed against
the pack’s fragile standing..
Unfolding the scroll, I scanned its contents. Marcus’s tone in the letter was polished, dripping with charm, but its intent wasn’t hidden. He had summoned me to the Blood Moon gathering
at Silver Creek tavern.
I could almost hear his voice, smooth and mocking, daring me to refuse.
“Blood Moon phase…” I murmured, my fingers tightening slightly around the scroll.
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Chapter 51: Invitation
“A critical time for wolves who want to strengthen bonds,” Nina explained quietly, though the concern in her voice was clear. “Are you going to ignore it?”
I hesitated, the weight of the decision heavy in my chest. Refusing wasn’t an option. Marcus’s temper was as unpredictable as it was dangerous. I couldn’t give him an excuse to twist this
against me.
“We’ll leave tonight,” I said finally. My voice was steady, masking the unease churning inside
- me.
The cold air nipped at my skin as the evening settled in. Nina walked beside me, her presence as unwavering as ever. Her silver–gray wolf was alert, her sharp eyes scanning the path before
Us.
The path was crowded with wolves heading toward Silver Creek. Their voices mixed together,
creating a symphony of energy that pressed against me from every side. I pulled my hood
tighter around my face, hoping to deter any curious stares.
Nina kept her back straight, her gaze sharp. “Stay close to me,” she muttered under her breath.
The tension was palpable. Each step forward felt heavier as we approached the border of
Winters Pack territory. A young beta wolf, clad in ceremonial garb, greeted us near the edge.
His movements were nervous, his wolf avoiding direct eye contact with me.
“Lady Celeste,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “The path to Silver Creek is congested. I’m
afraid your carriages can’t pass through safely.”
Nina’s eyes narrowed instantly. Her wolf bristled. “You mean to dismiss her escort?”
The beta’s wolf flinched under her glare. “N–No, Warrior Nina,” he stammered. “It’s just… the
crowds are too dense. She’ll have to proceed on foot.”
Nina’s growl was faint but chilling. “Unacceptable. Lady Celeste must not travel unprotected.”
I raised a hand, signaling for her to stand down. “Let it go,” I said quietly. “It’s fine. We’ll walk.”
“Lady Celeste-”
“If we argue, we’ll only draw more attention,” I cut her off. My tone wasn’t harsh, but it left no
room for debate.
The beta nodded quickly, relieved by my calm response. “I’ll guide you as far as I can.”
And so, we continued forward, weaving through the throngs of unfamiliar wolves. The path grew narrower with each step, the energy around us more suffocating. Wolves whispered as passed, their auras brushing against my own.
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Chapter 51: Invitation
I clenched my teeth, keeping my head high despite the pressing discomfort. My wolf growled faintly, recoiling from the overwhelming presence of so many unknown scents and stares.
“You’re drawing attention,” Nina muttered, her voice low.
“I always do,” I replied bitterly, my eyes fixed ahead.
We pushed forward, but the stares didn’t stop. They lingered, heavy with judgment and
curiosity. My silver scars throbbed faintly, a humiliating reminder of the past they likely whispered about.
One wolf stumbled too close. His presence was unstable, his eyes unfocused. Before he could
touch me, Nina’s arm shot out, blocking his advance..
“Move,” she commanded coldly.
The wolf backed away immediately, his demeanor submissive under her steely glare.
My chest tightened further as we pressed on. The path seemed endless, the noise unbearable. My wolf curled in on itself, seeking refuge from the weight of a hundred unfamiliar energies.
Then, finally, the silhouette of the Silver Creek tavern came into view. Its warm, amber glow
was a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
The sight should have brought relief, but it didn’t. Silver Creek may have been neutral territory,
but for me, it felt more like a trap.
The air seemed to thicken as we neared. I could feel Marcus’s energy lingering, his dominance clear even from a distance. My hands tightened into fists beneath my cloak.
“Nina,” I started, my voice quieter now. “Stay close once we’re inside.”
“Always,” she replied without hesitation, her wolf as resolute as ever.
The tavern loomed ahead, its doors open, inviting yet foreboding. I stepped forward, my
tense, every instinct urging me to turn back.
But I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.
