Chapter 186: A Gift, a Threat, and a Broken Tie (Celeste’s POV)
Chapter 186: A Gift, a Threat, and a Broken Tie (Celeste’s POV)
The setting sun cast long shadows through my window as Nina cleared away the dinner dishes. My confinement to quarters had become monotonous, but at least the meals delivered from the pack house kitchen had improved slightly. Tonight’s rabbit stew had been almost
palatable.
“Miss Celeste!” Nina’s excited voice broke through my thoughts as she burst back into the room. “Look what I found outside your window!”
My attention snapped to the container in her hands. The familiar design made my heart skip a beat. It was identical to the one Matthew had brought during his dawn visit days ago.
Nina placed it on the table, her silver–gray eyes dancing with delight. She lifted the lid, and instantly the room filled with a mouthwatering aroma of spicy wolf ribs. The rich, peppery
scent made my mouth water immediately.
“I wonder who could have left this?” Nina teased, her silver–gray wolf practically bouncing with excitement beneath her skin. “Perhaps a certain second–in–command to Alexander Steele?”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “It certainly seems like his handiwork.”
The container was still warm, indicating it had been delivered recently. Matthew must have timed it perfectly, knowing when the pack guards changed shifts. The risk he took to deliver this made my chest tighten with a mix of gratitude and concern.
Nina quickly fetched plates and utensils. “We should enjoy it before it gets cold. It smells absolutely divine!”
I nodded, still conflicted about accepting Matthew’s gift. While I appreciated his thoughtfulness, I knew it could only lead to trouble for both of us.
Nina took the first bite and closed her eyes in bliss. “By the moon goddess! This is incredible!
He must have spent hours preparing this.”
I sampled a small piece. The tender meat fell apart in my mouth, the perfect balance of heat and savory flavors dancing on my tongue. My silver–scarred wolf hummed with satisfaction, a
rare moment of pure enjoyment.
“He added just the right amount of mountain peppers,” I noted, genuinely impressed. “Not too overwhelming, but enough to satisfy my taste for spice.”
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Chapter 186. A Gift, a Threat, an…
Nina grinned knowingly. “He’s paying attention to what you like. That says something about
his intentions, doesn’t it?”
I chose not to respond directly to her implication. “The marinade is complex. I can taste at least five different spices.”
‘Do you think he made this himself?” Nina asked, taking another generous helping.
“Almost certainly,” I replied, recalling how Matthew had mentioned learning to cook specifically for me. “Alexander’s warriors aren’t exactly known for their culinary skills.”
Nina laughed. “Well, Matthew Sterling is certainly breaking that stereotype. Oh!” She reached
into the bottom of the container. “Look, he’s included moon–blessed berries for dessert!”
The small pouch of silvery–blue berries glimmered in the fading light. Moon–blessed berries were known for their cooling properties–the perfect counterbalance to spicy food. They would also help soothe my silver–scarred wolf after the meal.
“He really did think of everything,” I murmured, touched by his attention to detail.
Nina’s expression softened. “He cares for you, Miss Celeste. Genuinely cares.”
I sighed, setting down my fork. “Which is precisely why this needs to stop.”
“But-”
“Nina, you know as well as I do that this can only end badly,” I interrupted gently. “Lucas has already confronted him once. If this continues, Matthew will face consequences far worse than a verbal warning.”
Nina’s shoulders slumped slightly. “He seems like a good wolf.”
“He is,” I agreed, my voice tinged with regret. “Which is why I can’t allow him to risk his
position for me. When we finish, please return both containers to him with a message–no
more food deliveries.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Nina asked, her silver–gray eyes studying me carefully.
Before I could answer, three sharp knocks rattled my door. Nina and I exchanged alarmed glances. Without a word, she quickly moved to answer it, positioning herself to block the visitor’s view of our meal.
My heart sank when Lucas stepped into the room, his tall frame filling the doorway. His wolf’s aggressive dominance immediately saturated the space, making my silver–scarred wolf bristle defensively.
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His nostrils flared as he caught the lingering scent of spices. Golden eyes narrowed as his gaze landed on our half–eaten meal.
“What is that?” he demanded, moving past Nina to examine the food on the table.
Nina stepped forward quickly. “Just dinner, sir. From the pack house kitchen.”
Lucas picked up a piece of the wolf rib, sniffing it suspiciously. “The pack house doesn’t serve food this spicy.
I met his accusatory stare calmly. “You’re right. It’s not from the pack house.”
Nina shot me a panicked look, but I gave a subtle shake of my head. Lying would only make things worse.
“So you admit it,” Lucas growled, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. “You’re still communicating with Matthew Sterling despite my warning.”
“I haven’t communicated with anyone,” I replied coolly. “Nina found the container outside my
window.”
Lucas turned his glare to Nina. “And you decided to bring it in rather than report it?”
Nina straightened her spine. “As Miss Celeste’s personal guard, I taste all food before she
does to ensure it’s not poisoned or tampered with. I found no issues with this meal.”
“A beta wolf saw you eating this and reported it directly to me,” Lucas snapped, his attention
returning to me. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
Nina started to explain again, but I raised my hand to stop her. What was the point? Lucas
would believe what he wanted regardless of the truth.
“You can accuse me of whatever you want, Lucas,” I said with resignation. “It makes little
difference at this point.”
My indifference seemed to frustrate him more than any argument would have. His jaw
tightened visibly as he leaned closer.
“Why eat food from him?” he demanded, gesturing at the spicy ribs with disgust. “Is the pack house food not good enough for you now?”
I remained silent, which only fueled his anger.
“Answer me!” he barked, his wolf surging forward aggressively. “Why encourage his pursuit? Is this some game to you? Are you trying to make Alexander jealous?”
The accusation was so absurd I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips. “Not
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everything revolves around Alexander, Lucas.”
“Then explain why you’re accepting gifts from his second–in–command!” Lucas’s voice rose, echoing off the walls of my quarters. “You’re deliberately causing trouble!”
I met his angry stare with cool composure. “Perhaps I simply prefer food with flavor. The bland dishes you send are hardly appetizing.”
His eyes widened slightly. “The lamb liver with silver herbs is for your health, not your pleasure. Your silver–scarred wolf needs the supplements.”
“My wolf and I know what we need better than you do,” I replied, my tone icy. “And it isn’t your
tasteless liver.”
Lucas’s nostrils flared with indignation. “You’re being childish, Celeste. This isn’t about food and you know it.”
I shrugged, deliberately casual. “Then perhaps you should stop pretending to care about what
I eat.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “You’re testing my patience.”
“And you’re testing mine,” I countered, rising from my seat to meet his gaze more directly. “You’re not Alexander, Lucas. You don’t command his respect or authority. And you certainly
don’t command mine.”
The comparison to Alexander struck a nerve. I could see it in the way his jaw clenched, the
slight twitch at the corner of his eye.
“I’m the Future Alpha of this pack,” he snarled, stepping closer until I could feel his breath on
my face. “My word carries weight here.”
“Then perhaps you should spend more time worrying about pack matters and less time concerning yourself with my dinner choices.”
Lucas’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light that made my wolf retreat slightly. “Don’t push
me, Celeste. I can make things very difficult for your precious Matthew.”
A chill ran down my spine. It wasn’t an empty threat–Lucas had connections throughout the
pack hierarchy. He could damage Matthew’s reputation, his standing with Alexander, maybe
even his position as second–in–command.
“I’d advise against that,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite my growing concern. “Harming Alexander’s second would be noticed. Questions would be asked.”
Lucas laughed coldly. “Who said anything about harming him? There are many ways to
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Chapter 186: A Gift, a Threat, an…
separate you two without leaving a mark on him.”
The implication was clear. My silver–scarred wolf recognized the capacity for cruelty in his tone, reminding me painfully of our shared childhood, when I’d mistaken his possessiveness for brotherly protection.
“If you harm Matthew in any way,” I said quietly, “I will make you regret it.”
“And how would you do that?” Lucas scoffed. “You’re nothing here, Celeste. A former prisoner with no true family ties. Your threats are as empty as your claims to our pack name.”
His words were designed to cut deep, to remind me of my precarious position. But I’d endured far worse in Moon Shadow Prison.
“I may have no power in this pack,” I acknowledged, my violet eyes locked with his. “But I have nothing left to lose. That makes me far more dangerous than you realize.”
For a brief moment, uncertainty flickered across Lucas’s face. But it quickly hardened back
into contempt.
“Be obedient, Celeste,” he warned, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Stop accepting gifts from Matthew Sterling. Stop encouraging his attention. Or there will be consequences
neither of you will enjoy.”
He turned on his heel and strode toward the door, pausing at the threshold to add, “This is
your only warning.”
The door slammed behind him, leaving Nina and me in stunned silence. The spicy food that had brought such pleasure moments ago now sat forgotten on the table.
My violet eyes lingered on the door long after he’d gone, my mind racing with worry for Matthew’s safety. Lucas’s threat had been unmistakable, and I knew from bitter experience that he was perfectly capable of following through.
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