chapter 205: A Clean Break
chapter 205: A Clean Break
(Celeste’s POV)
I stood face to face with Alexander outside my quarters. His ice–blue eyes burned with intensity.
“So this is your final decision? Matthew Sterling?” Alexander’s voice was mocking.
I stood firm. “Yes. My feelings for Matthew are genuine.”
“Genuine? Like your feelings for me were ‘genuine‘ before?” His smile was bitter.
“Don’t speak of things you know nothing about,” I replied coldly.
His white wolf stirred beneath his skin, his shoulders tensing.
“You’re making a mistake. These transient affections of yours shift quite conveniently.”
I almost laughed at his audacity.
“Transient? I spent four years in Moon Shadow Prison with silver chains burning my flesh every day,” I said evenly. “Four years hoping you might visit, might send word, might remember I existed.”
“The Alpha King’s punishment-” he began.
“Was severe, yes. But did it prevent you from checking if I was alive? From sending a single message?” I cut him off.
He had no defense for his abandonment.
“Your concern is four years too late. Perhaps you should focus on Scarlett instead.”
His eyes narrowed at the mention of his mate–to–be.
“Speaking of Scarlett, let’s address what happened with those omega wolves,” I added.
“That wasn’t her fault,” Alexander said immediately.
“Of course not. Nothing ever is,” I replied sarcastically.
“Those omega wolves were taking advantage of her vulnerability.”
I shook my head. “The vulnerability she created by running away after discovering your little performance at the Moon Silver Restaurant wasn’t actually caused by moon–blessed wine?”
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His jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t have told her.”
“And you shouldn’t have pretended to be drunk,” I countered. “Your feigned intoxication started
this entire mess.”
He couldn’t deny this truth.
“If anyone is to blame for that omega’s father’s death, it’s you,” I said bluntly. “Your lies set everything in motion.”
Alexander’s white wolf bristled visibly, his eyes flashing with anger.
“I was trying to-” he began, then stopped.
“Trying to what? Manipulate me? Test my feelings for Matthew?”
His silence confirmed my suspicions.
I softened slightly. “Alexander, please understand. What I feel for Matthew is real.”
“He’s kind and protective. He sees me for who I am,” I continued. “He defended me when no
one else would.”
“If you truly care about me, you won’t stand in the way of my happiness.”
I turned to leave, considering our conversation over.
Alexander grabbed my wrist. The touch sent an unwelcome jolt through me.
“You don’t understand what you’re doing,” he said urgently. “Sterling is my
second–in–command. Do you know what challenges you’ll face? The ridicule? The obstacles?”
I looked at his hand, then back to his face.
“We’ll face them together,” I replied, removing his hand firmly.
My silver–scarred wolf bristled at his touch.
Alexander smiled mockingly, but his eyes showed pain.
“Together? Are you so certain of his loyalty? Of his willingness to stand beside you when the pack turns against him?”
I paused. I had once been certain of Alexander’s loyalty too.
“I’m not certain of anything,” I admitted. “The people I trusted most threw me away when I
became inconvenient.”
Alexander flinched at that, his wolf whining softly.
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“But Matthew has shown me more loyalty in weeks than you did in years. I’ll stand by him as long as he stands by me.”
Pain flashed across Alexander’s face.
“And if he doesn’t?” he asked quietly.
“Then I’ll face that too. I’ve survived worse.”
I entered my quarters, closing the door firmly behind me.
Through the door, I sensed Alexander’s departure. His wolf’s anguish was palpable, a soft whine indicating I was slipping beyond his reach.
Nina looked up as I entered. “Celeste, is that blood?” she asked, rushing to check my sleeve.
I noticed dark red stains where Alexander had grabbed me.
“It’s not mine,” I assured her. “It’s Alexander’s.”
I realized he’d deliberately left his blood on my clothing – the injury he’d sustained while protecting me at the restaurant.
Nina frowned. “Should I fetch Dr. Pierce?”
“No. This was deliberate,” I explained. “A childish attempt to evoke my sympathy.”
“The old Celeste would have been concerned, would have rushed to tend his wounds.”
I removed the garment, studying the bloodstains detachedly.
“The old Celeste would have immediately forgotten her anger, worried only about his
well–being.”
Nina took the stained clothing. “I’ll clean this right away.”
I shook my head. “Don’t bother. It’s dirty.”
My wolf growled softly as I tossed the bloodied garment aside.
“Some stains don’t wash out,” I said firmly.
The Celeste who had loved Alexander was gone. Burned away by four years of silver chains.
Destroyed by his silence when I needed him most.
“It’s beyond cleaning. Throw it away.”
Just like my feelings for Alexander. Beyond salvaging. Beyond repair.
The next morning, I visited my grandmother Eleanor in her private quarters. Despite
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everything, I needed to share my happiness with the one person who never abandoned me.
She sat by the window, her silver hair glowing in the morning light. Even weakened, she maintained her dignity.
“Grandmother,” I called softly.
Eleanor turned, her golden eyes brightening.
“Celeste, my dear,” she greeted, extending her frail hand. “Come, sit with me.”
I took her hand, noticing how thin her fingers had become. The illness was taking its toll.
“You’re glowing today,” she observed with a knowing smile. “There’s only one thing that puts
such light in a young wolf’s eyes.”
I blushed. “I’ve met someone, Grandmother. Someone who makes me feel valued and
protected.”
Eleanor smiled wider. “Tell me about him.”
I described Matthew’s protectiveness, his quiet strength, how he defended me at the Moon
Silver Restaurant.
“He doesn’t care about my past, about Moon Shadow Prison or the silver scars. He sees me
for who I am now.”
My grandmother listened intently, her eyes warm with interest.
“He sounds like a true warrior,” she approved. “Strong, protective, honorable.”
She paused knowingly. “Alexander has finally come to his senses, then?”
My heart sank.
“No, Grandmother,” I corrected gently. “I’m speaking of Matthew Sterling. Alexander’s
second–in–command.”
Eleanor’s expression fell briefly, but she quickly recovered.
“Matthew Sterling. I’ve heard he’s an exceptional warrior, despite his rank.”
I nodded eagerly. “He is. He stood against wolves far above his station to protect me.‘
My grandmother studied me intently. “And you care for him? Truly?”
“I do. He makes me feel safe in a way I haven’t since…”
Since before Moon Shadow Prison. Since before I learned how quickly loved ones could
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abandon me.
Eleanor placed her hand over mine.
“Then I am happy for you, my dear,” she said sincerely. “Pack status and political advantages mean nothing compared to your happiness.”
Relief washed over me. Her approval meant everything.
“Father and Mother won’t approve,” I warned. “They’ve made it clear they consider Matthew
beneath me.”
My grandmother’s lips formed a defiant smile.
“Your father forgets that true worth isn’t measured by rank,” she said firmly. “If this young wolf protected you when others wouldn’t, that speaks more to his character than any title.”
I embraced her gently. Her familiar scent–moonflowers and sage–comforted me as always.
“Thank you, Grandmother,” I whispered.
She patted my back, her touch still strong despite her frailty.
“Now,” she said as I pulled away, “tell me more about this Matthew Sterling who has captured my granddaughter’s heart.”
I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support. While the path with Matthew would face
challenges, having Eleanor’s acceptance made those obstacles seem less daunting.
