Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
(Celeste’s POV)
The main hall fell silent after my declaration. My words about repaying my debt through silver
chain torture hung in the air.
Alpha James stood frozen, his face twisted with shock.
“How dare you,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “Fourteen years. Fourteen years I raised you
as my own.”
His fists clenched tight, the golden flecks in his eyes burning with rage.
“I taught you to hunt, to fight, to understand pack politics. I celebrated your achievements,
comforted you through failures.”
Each word came through gritted teeth, his shoulders trembling.
“I watched you grow from a helpless pup to a powerful young wolf. And this is how you repay
that care?”
I kept my face blank. My silver–scarred wolf curled defensively inside me.
“You speak of debts,” I replied coldly. “Mine has been paid.”
Alpha James stepped forward, his wolf’s aura crushing down on us. Nina flinched beside me.
Luna Victoria rushed between us, hands raised to calm the situation.
“Please, everyone calm down,” she begged. “This is all a misunderstanding.”
She turned to Alpha James first, touching his chest gently.
“James, don’t be angry. She doesn’t mean what she’s saying.”
Then she faced me, her green eyes desperate.
“Celeste, please… watch your words. Don’t provoke your father.”
Something broke inside me when she said “father.”
“He’s not my father,” I stated flatly. “And you’re not my mother.”
Victoria stepped back as if slapped. Her wolf whimpered beneath her skin.
“If I’d had a choice,” I continued, my voice like ice, “I would never have chosen to be your
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Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
daughter. I stay only for Grandmother Eleanor’s sake.”
I held Victoria’s shocked gaze.
“Moon Shadow Prison taught me who truly cares for me and who pretends when it’s
convenient.”
My words sent visible shivers through everyone in the room.
(Lucas’s POV)
I couldn’t believe what Celeste was saying. These weren’t just angry words–they could permanently cut her from our pack’s protection.
“Celeste, stop!” I shouted. “Do you understand what you’re saying?”
My wolf bristled with genuine alarm. This wasn’t her usual defiance–this was dangerous.
“Apologize to Father,” I urged. “We can discuss the pool incident later, but this cannot be undone easily.”
Even Scarlett sat up from her pitiful huddle on the couch.
“Father, please don’t argue with her,” she pleaded through tears. “It was my fault for being clumsy. I lost my balance near the sacred moon pool.”
Tears streamed down her face, her emerald eyes wide with fake remorse.
“I shouldn’t have bothered Celeste when she wanted to be alone. This is
my
fault.”
I watched Celeste’s reaction. She looked at Scarlett with pure disgust.
I knew that look–Celeste saw through the act. Scarlett wasn’t accepting blame; she was highlighting her own “kindness” against Celeste’s “coldness.”
The strategy was clever, but Celeste wasn’t fooled. Neither was I.
(Alpha James’s POV)
I stared at Celeste, searching for any hint of regret that might soften her stance. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, torn between fury and disbelief.
She had been my daughter in every way that mattered. I had loved her, taught her, protected
her. Until the truth came out four years ago.
Even now, seeing her proud stance and cold violet eyes, I felt echoes of paternal pride. She
stood against an Alpha–against me–without fear.
But there was no warmth in her eyes. No acknowledgment of our shared past. She stood
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Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
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among us like a stranger.
My family pleaded with me to calm down, to forgive. But Celeste offered no apology.
“Is that truly what you want, Celeste?” I asked quietly. “To sever all ties with the Winter Pack? To deny fourteen years of being part of this family?”
I needed to hear her say it directly.
(Victoria’s POV)
My composure shattered at James’s question. The thought that Celeste–my Celeste, whom
I’d nursed and loved–might truly want to leave forever broke my heart.
Tears poured down my face as my wolf cried out in pain.
“How did this happen?” I sobbed. “How does a fall into the sacred moon pool lead to my daughter wanting to leave our pack forever?”
I reached for Celeste, but she stepped away. Each inch between us felt like miles.
“Please,” I begged, not caring who saw my desperation. “Don’t do this, Celeste. We can work
through this together.”
Scarlett joined my pleas, face wet with tears.
“This is all my fault,” she cried. “I’ll be the one who broke our pack apart!”
Lucas turned to his father urgently.
“Father, please calm down,” he urged. “You know how Celeste gets when angry. She doesn’t
mean this.”
The irony struck me–everyone was trying to stop James from accepting Celeste’s
declaration.
Everyone except Celeste herself.
She stood apart, completely unmoved by our distress.
(Celeste’s POV)
I watched their performance with tired eyes. After years of cruelty, suddenly they couldn’t bear the thought of me leaving? It seemed ridiculous.
“There’s no need for dramatics,” I said calmly. “I just want to be clear.”
I straightened my shoulders and met Alpha James’s gaze.
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Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
“I promised Grandmother Eleanor I would stay until she passes. I’ll honor that promise.”
I gestured toward the window.
“Once she’s gone, there will be nothing keeping me here. I’ll leave, and you won’t have to worry
about me ruining your reputation again.”
Alpha James finally snapped. His wolf surged forward with such force that energy rippled
through the room like a wave.
“Leave then!” he roared. “Leave now and never return! Your life and fate are your own!”
He stepped closer, his golden eyes burning with fury and hidden pain.
“From this moment, the Winter Pack cuts all ties with you. You’re no longer our responsibility
or our concern.”
His wolf’s dominance filled the hall, pressing against my skin like a heavy blanket, trying to
force me to submit.
But I had endured worse in Moon Shadow Prison. This anger couldn’t compare to silver chains
burning my flesh day after day.
I simply bowed my head slightly–acknowledging, not submitting.
“I ask that you honor those words when the time comes,” I said quietly. “After Grandmother
passes.”
He didn’t expect this reaction. His wolf’s energy faltered, confused by my calm acceptance.
(Alpha James’s POV)
I stared at Celeste, devastated. I had expected fear or hesitation. Instead, I got quiet
acceptance.
This child–this wolf I’d raised as my own–truly wanted nothing to do with us.
Celeste looked around the room one last time, her violet eyes moving from face to face
without emotion.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said formally, “I’ll return to my quarters now.”
She turned and walked away, her silver–scarred wolf holding its head high.
Only after the door closed did Victoria’s grief explode. Her wails filled the hall as she collapsed
against me.
(Celeste’s POV)
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Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
As I walked away, an unexpected pain tightened my chest. I tried to ignore it, but the feeling
wouldn’t go away.
I glanced back through the partially open door. Victoria wept on Lucas’s shoulder, her body shaking with sobs.
I felt confused. Victoria often cried, but usually defending Scarlett, standing with the family
against me.
Today her tears seemed different. They seemed directed at me, as if she truly grieved my
possible departure.
I shook my head, dismissing the thought. After four years of silence during my imprisonment,
after choosing Scarlett repeatedly since my return, Victoria had no right to mourn my absence.
I continued walking, each step taking me further from the pack that was never truly mine.
(Scarlett’s POV)
In the main hall, Father slumped onto a chair, shoulders sagging in defeat. His wolf whined
with distress.
“I can’t believe it,” he muttered. “After everything… she truly wants to break our pack bonds.”
Mother kept crying but managed to speak through her tears.
“This is your fault, James,” she accused. “You know how stubborn she is. You pushed her too
far!”
Father didn’t even argue, which worried me. He just sat there, looking broken.
Lucas stepped forward.
“She spoke in anger, Father,” he said confidently. “Once she calms down, she’ll change her
mind. Celeste is emotional but not foolish.”
His words seemed to help. Father nodded slowly, and Mother’s sobs quieted.
I took my chance to speak, making my voice shake.
“This is all because of me,” I cried, covering my face. “If I hadn’t fallen into the sacred moon
pool, none of this would have happened.”
Father immediately came to hug me.
“No, Scarlett,” he said firmly. “This isn’t your fault. This has been building for a long time.”
He kissed my head. “Don’t blame yourself.”
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Chapter 191: A Wolf’s Defiance
After they left, I stayed on the couch, keeping up my tears until I was alone.
Then I lay back, a strange worry gripping my heart. Something about how Mother and Father reacted bothered me deeply.
My wolf bristled anxiously as I realized what it was–they still held real affection for Celeste. Their upset wasn’t just about pack politics or appearances; it was about losing a daughter they truly loved.
I stared at the ceiling, wondering what more I needed to do to secure my position. How could I
make sure that once Celeste was gone, she would truly be forgotten?
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