Chapter 180: Dreams and Dawn Visitors
Chapter 180: Dreams and Dawn Visitors
(Celeste’s POV)
“No, please! I didn’t break it!”
The desperate plea tore from my throat as I bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat. My chest
heaved, each breath ragged and panicked. The darkness of the room felt suffocating, pressing
down on me like the chains in my dream.
Cold moonlight bathed my bedroom, but its soothing light couldn’t banish the horrors still
vivid in my mind.
“It wasn’t my fault,” I whispered weakly, clutching the sheets. My voice trembled, hollow.
The nightmare clung to me like a second skin. In it, I had been back in the royal pack’s
ceremonial chamber, just as I was four years ago. My hands trembled as I stared at Princess
Katherine’s shattered moon crystal. The furious accusation in her voice. The piercing eyes of
the royal pack.
But it wasn’t the crystal’s shards that haunted me–it was the people.
Alexander and Lucas flanked Scarlett, shielding her with unwavering loyalty. Their protective
stances promised to defend her–at any cost. Not a single glance or word had been spared on
- me.
Just like tonight at the Blood Moon Gathering.
My silver–scarred wolf whimpered within me, shying away from the bitter memory. Phantom pain spread across my wrists, the ghost of silver chains reminding me of the years I spent in hell. My wolf hid behind the bars of my mind, both of us scarred by the injustices we endured.
“It was just a dream,” I murmured, attempting to calm my racing heart.
But it wasn’t just a dream. It was a memory. One I could never escape.
A soft knock broke through my spiraling thoughts.
“Miss Celeste?” Nina’s gentle voice came from the other side of the door. “I heard something.
Are you alright?”
I swallowed hard, steadying my voice. “Come in, Nina.”
The door opened cautiously, and Nina’s silver–gray wolf peeked through first, her protective
1/4
+8 Points
Chapter 180 Dreams and Dawn…
instincts wrapping around me like a warm blanket. She moved quickly to my bedside, her sharp gray eyes scanning me with concern.
“Another nightmare?” she asked quietly, sitting beside me.
I nodded, my throat dry. Words felt too heavy, too raw.
“You’ve had these since Moon Shadow Prison.” Her voice softened, and she folded her arms.
across her chest. “They’ve gotten worse, haven’t they?”
My lips pressed into a hard line. “Seeing Princess Katherine brought it all back.”
Nina sighed, shaking her head. “Not just her. It’s the way they protected Scarlett. The way they
stood by her…”
“While I stood alone,” I finished bitterly, meeting Nina’s gaze. My voice cracked. “They could’ve protected me too, Nina. They had the power to stop it. But they chose her.”
Her wolf growled quietly in frustration. “They’re cowards,” she snarled. “They’ll regret
abandoning you.”
I let out a cold chuckle, leaning back against my headboard. “They already do. Every time they
look at me, I can see the guilt.”
Nina opened her mouth to respond, but the air shifted. A new aroma filled the room–warm, rich, and unmistakably spicy. It drifted in through the slightly opened window, catching both
our wolves‘ attention.
Nina sniffed the air, her silver–gray wolf perking up in alert. “Is that… spicy food?”
I frowned. “Who would…?”
Before I could finish, a shadow appeared outside the window, awkwardly maneuvering on the ledge. My eyes widened as the figure stumbled slightly, nearly toppling over.
“Matthew!” I hissed in disbelief as Alexander’s second–in–command clambered awkwardly
through the opening.
“Uh… good morning,” he greeted, shooting me a sheepish grin. His face flushed with embarrassment as he set down a large container of food.
“You climbed the pack house walls at dawn? With food?” I gawked at him, unsure whether to laugh or scold him.
“Spicy food,” he corrected, revealing the contents of the container. The delicious aroma spilled into the room, making my wolf stir curiously. “I thought it might brighten your morning.”
- Points
Chapter 180 Dreams and Dawn…
Nina crossed her arms, her expression shifting between intrigue and annoyance. “Matthew, do you realize how reckless this is? If the guards caught-”
“I thought it’d be worth the risk,” he interrupted, his gaze dropping to the floor as his blush
deepened. “Miss Celeste mentioned her time in Moon Shadow Prison. The only thing that
brought her comfort was spicy food. So… I wanted to do something nice for her.”
His sincerity left me speechless. There was no deceit, no ulterior motive–just a genuine
desire to bring a little joy into my chaotic life.
“Matthew…” My voice softened, but I cut myself off, unsure how to respond.
He pushed the container closer, fidgeting nervously. “I even learned to cook these myself. I had
no idea what I was doing at first, but my sister helped me…”
A tug of warmth pulled at my chest. His effort, his thoughtfulness–it meant more than I could express. But this kindness wasn’t something I could afford.
“Matthew,” I said carefully, my voice barely above a whisper. “Your hands should be holding weapons and fighting battles. Not… bringing food to someone like me.”
His eyes snapped up, confusion flashing across his face. “Someone like you?”
“I’m not worth this,” I said firmly, though the words felt like knives on my tongue. “Matthew, I’m a complication. A liability. You don’t want to be dragged into my mess.”
“1-”
“I appreciate what you’re doing,” I added quickly, meeting his gaze. “But this isn’t the path you should take. It’ll only hurt you in the end.”
The hurt flickering in his eyes made my chest tighten, but I stood my ground. I couldn’t afford another bond, another thread pulling me further into danger.
“I understand,” he said after a long pause, though his wolf’s subdued energy revealed his sadness. He began gathering his things, his movements awkward and hurried.
“Thank you again,” I said softly.
He nodded, his eyes avoiding mine. “Take care, Miss Celeste.”
As he climbed back through the window, I followed his retreating figure until he disappeared
from sight.
Nina exhaled, breaking the silence. “That was… unexpected.”
I turned to her, managing a small smile. “I seem to attract trouble, don’t I?”
3/4
+ Posit
Chapter 180: Dreams and Dawn…
The warmth of the food still lingered in the air, a reminder of Matthew’s kind gesture. I sat down to join Nina, hoping the meal might overshadow the ache in my chest.
But then, the distant howl of wolves shattered the peace.
“Stop right there!”
The guards‘ voices rose in alarm, their cries echoing through the pack house grounds.
Nina and I darted back to the window, my wolf alert as the commotion grew louder. Guards
raced across the grounds, their eyes fixed on a moving figure.
My heart sank as I recognized the intruder.
“Matthew,” I whispered, torn between worry and frustration.
The guards‘ wolves howled aggressively, their fury carrying through the early morning air. Matthew’s figure darted between the shadows, his agility keeping him ahead of his pursuers.
But for how long?
Nina glanced at me, concern etched across her face. “He won’t make it off the grounds if they catch him. What do we do?”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing for an answer.
The peaceful morning had shattered into chaos–and this time, I wasn’t sure anyone would walk away unscathed.
