Chapter 83: A Grandmother’s Sanctuary
Chapter 83: A Grandmother’s Sanctuary
(Celeste’s POV)
The moment I entered Eleanor’s chambers, the familiar scent of moon–blessed herbs instantly wrapped around me. The gentle aroma was a sharp contrast to the heavy tension that had hovered over the pack house. It felt like stepping into a different world, a temporary refuge
from the chaos outside.
Eleanor lay propped up against delicate silk pillows, her golden eyes dim but still warm. Her once–strong wolf aura, which had always filled a room with its undeniable presence, felt faint now, like a flicker of a candle struggling against the wind.
The frailty in her appearance squeezed my heart. It reminded me of the days when Eleanor had stood tall, her wolf commanding respect from everyone, even Alpha James. And now,
seeing her like this–it was both humbling and heartbreaking.
But when she turned and saw me, the flicker in her golden eyes brightened with life. “My precious Little Moon,” she whispered, her voice a rasp but still carrying the warmth I craved.
“Come closer, child. Let me see you properly.”
The childhood nickname loosened something in my chest. It was one of the only remnants of
a time when I had a semblance of family, of love. I approached her bedside slowly, careful not
to falter–both for my pride and to avoid worrying her.
Her gaze immediately fell on my face, narrowing as she caught sight of the angry red line left by Victoria’s silver blade. Instinctively, I tried to turn my face slightly, hoping to downplay the
wound. But Eleanor’s sharp eyes missed nothing.
“Ah, my brave girl,” she sighed, lifting a hand that trembled slightly. Despite her weakness, her fingers were steady as they traced the edge of the wound with a gentleness that only she could manage. “Even silver chains couldn’t destroy your spirit, could they?”
The soft touch of her hand against my scars made my wolf whimper. It wasn’t just the pain
but the bittersweet reminder that someone still cared enough to notice, to acknowledge the
battles I endured.
The warmth of her love was so at odds with Victoria’s cold blade, the same hands that had
once cradled me as a child now wielding the silver that seared my skin. The contrast made
my throat ache, but I swallowed hard to keep my composure.
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Chapter 83: A Grandmother’s Sa…
“I heard about Lucas’s mercenary attack on you,” Eleanor continued, her frail voice suddenly
cutting with anger. Her hands shook with restrained fury as she attempted to sit up straighter.
“Using ancient wolfsbane bindings against his own kin!”
“Grandmother, please.” I stepped closer, my voice soft, trying to ease her rising agitation. “Your
health-”
“My health?” she snapped, her golden eyes flaring with a strength that belied her condition.
Her wolf stirred, fierce and protective, pushing back against the frailty that weighed on her.
The sight of it, the way her spirit refused to yield even as her body weakened, brought tears dangerously close to the surface.
“My own grandson,” she spat the words like venom, “has become a disgrace to this pack. Dare
he use mercenaries against his sister, the one he once claimed to treasure above all others!”
Her sudden surge of anger shocked me. I had never heard her speak of Lucas with such
disdain before. The Eleanor I knew had always tempered her disappointment with hope for
redemption. But this–this was different.
“He’s still your grandson,” I reminded her gently, desperate to redirect the fire in her voice
before it wore her out completely. “Blood of your blood-”
“And you,” Eleanor interrupted sharply, her voice trembling but unyielding, “are my most
precious granddaughter. Blood has nothing to do with it, Little Moon. You are worth more to
me than the entire pack put together.”
Her declaration hit me harder than any argument I could muster. My wolf keened softly,
pressing against hers. Her unconditional love filled the aching void left behind by betrayal
after betrayal.
Eleanor’s wolf, fragile as it was, still managed to wrap around mine protectively, like a memory
of the warmth we once shared when I was a pup.
“The pack may demand you accept Marcus’s mate claim,” she said, her tone firm and unyielding. “But I want you to pursue what brings you peace. Regardless of their schemes or
threats, you owe them nothing–not your freedom, not your happiness.”
Every word hit like a soothing balm against wounds I hadn’t even realized were festering. But
the thought of outright rejecting Marcus’s claim filled me with dread, despite her
encouragement.
“The political consequences-”
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Chapter 83: A Grandmother’s Sa…
“Let them come,” she interrupted fiercely, cutting me off with a fire I hadn’t seen in her for years. “I’ve watched you suffer enough for the benefit of others. It ends now. They can suffer
the consequences of their greed and cruelty.”
Her passion, her protectiveness, stirred something deep within me. My wolf leaned into hers,
relishing the feeling of being wanted–not for usefulness or manipulation, but for who I truly
was.
For the next few days, my routine revolved around Eleanor’s care. Despite my own silver burns
still healing, I focused entirely on ensuring her comfort.
Nina was a constant presence, bringing moon–blessed herbs and salves from Dr. Pierce. Her
dedication was unwavering, and I found myself silently thanking the stars for her loyalty.
Under Dr. Pierce’s guidance, I learned how to change Eleanor’s bandages properly and
administer her healing herbs. It kept my hands busy and my mind focused, a welcome
distraction from the storm that lingered just outside these walls.
The pack servants, sensing the fragile peace of Eleanor’s chambers, carefully avoided any
mention of Lucas, Scarlett, or my former parents. It was a silence I was grateful for.
“You’ve got quite the touch,” Eleanor praised quietly one morning as I gently dressed her
wounds. “Better than any of the healers, I’d wager.”
I offered her a faint smile, though her compliment stirred something bittersweet inside me.
“I had plenty of practice in Moon Shadow Prison,” I replied without thinking. The words slipped
out before I could stop them.
Eleanor’s wolf whimpered softly, her eyes filling with sorrow.
“My precious girl,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “How I failed to protect you
then.”
“You never failed me,” I said quickly, reaching for her hand. “Your letters–they were everything. They’re what kept me sane.”
Her tears spilled over then, silent trails down her cheeks that devastated me more than any
words could have.
“While Victoria and James stood by, letting you endure that hell…” she whispered, her voice
breaking.
Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock at the door. Nina appeared before I could rise, her silver–gray wolf radiating quiet tension.
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Chapter 83: A Grandmother’s Sa….
“My Lady,” she said carefully, her tone laced with urgency. “A royal messenger has arrived. The missive bears Lord Marcus’s personal seal.”
My wolf bristled immediately at the mention of him.
“The seal is unbroken,” Nina added, sensing my unease. “Alpha James has ordered any
correspondence addressed to you delivered directly to prevent…” She hesitated. “…further
complications.”
I took the parchment Nina offered, its weight heavier than I expected. The royal sigil seemed
to glare back at me, a reminder of all the ties I couldn’t sever just yet.
I broke the seal carefully, my hands steady even as my wolf whimpered. The contents were
exactly what I’d feared–a formal summons to meet Marcus at the sacred Moon Lake.
Eleanor’s wolf growled softly at my side. Even in her weakened state, her protectiveness hadn’t
dimmed one bit.
“What does he want now?” she demanded, her tone sharper than it had been all morning.
“A meeting,” I replied quietly, my voice hesitant. “He requests my company at Moon Lake.”
Eleanor’s healer, who had been checking her vitals beside us, looked up quickly. Concern
etched across his face.
“Elder Eleanor needs rest,” he emphasized. “Her wolf grows weaker each day. She can’t endure
much conflict around her.”
The warning only made the tightness in my chest worse. My wolf keened softly at the thought
of losing her–not just my grandmother, but the only true family I had left.
“My Lady,” Nina said softly, drawing my attention. Her tone was cautious yet insistent. “Perhaps we should attend. Appearing hesitant might signal weakness to Marcus, which is
exactly what he’s waiting for.”
Her silver–gray wolf nudged against mine lightly, her presence a reminder that showing strength–no matter how much effort it took–was the only way to keep Eleanor safe right now.
I nodded slowly, my resolve hardening. Nina was right. Weakness now wasn’t an option.
“Very well,” I agreed quietly, reaching for paper to pen my response. “We’ll meet Marcus at
Moon Lake.”
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