chapter 207: A Wolf’s Bitter Warning
chapter 207: A Wolf’s Bitter Warning
(Celeste’s POV)
I felt Matthew tense beside me, his silver–gray wolf surging with barely contained rage. I quickly stepped between them, placing a restraining hand on Matthew’s chest.
Matthew lunged forward, but I pressed harder against his chest.
“Don’t,” I whispered urgently. “That’s exactly what he wants.”
“Smart girl,” Jason mocked, adjusting his designer watch. “At least one of you has a brain.”
I narrowed my violet eyes at him. “Your grandfather may be Senior Council Member Moore, but even he can’t abuse his position on the Alpha King’s council like this. The detention of Matthew’s father will be questioned.”
Jason shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “My grandfather? Who said anything about my grandfather?”
His false innocence didn’t fool me for a second.
“This has your family’s fingerprints all over it,” I said coldly. “A merchant wolf with a weak heart just happens to die after arguing with Mr. Sterling? Convenient timing.”
Jason’s eyes gleamed with malice. “You know, Sterling, you should distance yourself from this
one.” He nodded toward me. “She brings nothing but trouble.”
Matthew growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “Watch your mouth, Moore.”
“I’m just offering friendly advice,” Jason replied, his tone anything but friendly. “After all, you
have family to think about. Your parents, your little sister Lisa–what is she, sixteen now?”
The implied threat hung in the air between us.
Matthew’s body went rigid under my hand. “What did you just say?”
Jason examined his manicured claws with exaggerated casualness. “Nothing specific. Just that choices have consequences.”
He looked up, his gaze suddenly sharp. “Some consequences might involve three coffins. Such
a shame when entire families suffer for one wolf’s poor judgment, don’t you think?”
Matthew strained against my restraining arm, his wolf surging beneath his skin. “I’ll kill you if
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you touch them!”
“Matthew!” I hissed, pushing harder against his chest. “Not here.”
Jason laughed again, the sound echoing off the detention center walls. “Listen to your silver–scarred girlfriend, Sterling. She’s right–not here.”
He turned to leave, then paused. “Oh, and Sterling? Your father’s hearing is in three days. I
wouldn’t count on him coming home.”
With one final mocking laugh, Jason disappeared around the corner.
Matthew’s breathing was ragged with rage. “He came here just to taunt me. Just to make it
clear their family is behind this.”
I nodded, my mind racing. Three coffins. The threat was unmistakable.
But something else was becoming clear to me. This wasn’t just about Jason Moore’s
vendetta.
“It’s not just him,” I said quietly. “This goes higher.”
Matthew turned to me, his silver–gray eyes questioning. “What do you mean?”
I took a deep breath. “I think Alpha James Winters is involved.”
Matthew’s confusion was evident. “Your father? Why would he—”
“Former father,” I corrected automatically. “And because he doesn’t want you as my mate.”
The realization hit me with crushing clarity. Alpha James couldn’t directly forbid me from
choosing Matthew–I’d made it clear I didn’t recognize his authority over me. So he’d found another way to separate us. By targeting Matthew’s family.
Matthew shook his head. “I don’t think so, Celeste. The Alpha has always been fair in pack
matters. This is just Jason Moore’s malice.”
His faith in Alpha James’s character was touching but misplaced.
“Matthew-” I started.
“No,” he insisted. “I refuse to believe Alpha James would stoop to this level. There must be
another explanation.”
He took my hand gently in his. “I’ll look into this. I’ll find evidence of who’s really behind my
father’s detention.”
His determination was admirable, but I already knew the truth. Alpha James was sending a
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message–stay away from his former daughter, or there would be consequences.
I forced a reassuring smile. “You’re right. We need evidence. Focus on that.”
Matthew’s expression remained troubled. “You won’t…” He paused, seeming to struggle with his words. “You won’t give up on us because of this, will you?”
The vulnerability in his question made my heart ache. I stepped closer, wrapping my arms
around him.
“Never,” I promised fiercely. “We face this together. But Matthew-”
I pulled back to look into his eyes. “Be careful. Please. These are dangerous wolves we’re dealing with.”
He nodded, pressing his forehead against mine. “I will.”
As he turned to leave, I watched his retreating figure with a mixture of affection and resolve. Once he was out of sight, my expression hardened, all warmth draining from my features. Alpha James had made a serious miscalculation. He thought threatening Matthew’s family would make me back down.
He was wrong.
It just meant I had to change my approach.
The Winter Pack house loomed ahead as I returned from the detention center. The familiar stone walls that had once represented home now felt like a fortress of enemies.
As I entered, Betty, the head pack housekeeper, intercepted me in the main hall.
“Miss Celeste,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “Alpha James wishes to see you
immediately. He’s in his study.”
I nodded, unsurprised by the summons. “Thank you, Betty.”
The older beta wolf hesitated, concern evident in her eyes. “He seems… displeased.”
“When is he not?” I replied dryly.
Betty’s lips twitched in a suppressed smile before she schooled her features back to neutrality, “Be careful, child.”
I made my way to Alpha James’s study, my footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floors. I
paused outside the heavy oak door, gathering my thoughts before knocking.
(૩)
“Enter,” came the immediate response.
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Alpha James sat behind his massive desk, papers spread before him. His golden eyes fixed on me as I stepped into the room.
“You’re late returning,” he observed, his tone deceptively mild. “I expected you back hours ago.”
I kept my face expressionless. “I had matters to attend to.”
“Gallivanting around outside pack territory, no doubt,” he said, his voice hardening. “That ends now. You’re confined to pack grounds until further notice.”
I expected this restriction. It was his next move in our ongoing chess game–keep me away from Matthew while his family was under threat.
“As you wish,” I agreed calmly.
My easy compliance clearly caught him off guard. His brow furrowed slightly, golden eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“No argument? No defiance?” he questioned.
I shrugged. “Would it change anything?”
He leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. “You’ve been to the detention center.”
It wasn’t a question.
“You seem well–informed about my movements,” I replied evenly.
“I’m Alpha of this territory. Nothing happens without my knowledge.” His tone carried a
warning.
I maintained my composure, though my silver–scarred wolf bristled beneath my skin.
“Is that all, Alpha James?” I asked, deliberately formal. “Or was there something else you
wished to discuss?”
He watched me for a long moment, clearly expecting accusations about his involvement in
Matthew’s father’s detainment. When none came, his suspicion seemed to deepen.
“That’s all for now,” he finally said. “You may go.”
I turned without another word and walked to the door.
“Celeste,” he called just as my hand touched the handle.
I paused but didn’t turn around.
“Perhaps you’re finally accepting the realities of pack hierarchy,” he suggested. “Sterling is beneath your station, regardless of your… feelings.”
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My grip tightened on the door handle, but I kept my voice level. “Perhaps.”
I left without waiting for his response, closing the door quietly behind me.
In the hallway, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Alpha James was puzzled by my behavior. Good. Let him wonder if I’d given up on Matthew. Let him think he’d won.
It would make my next move all the more unexpected.
Instead of returning to my quarters, I headed toward the Silver Moon Wing of the pack house- the section reserved for pack members requiring… special accommodations.
Or in Scarlett’s case, confinement.
The beta guard stationed outside her door straightened as I approached, surprise evident on
his face.
“Miss Celeste,” he stammered. “I wasn’t informed you’d be visiting.”
“It was a last–minute decision,” I replied smoothly. “Is there a problem?”
He hesitated. “I should check with Alpha James-”
“By all means,” I interrupted. “But I’m sure he wouldn’t want to be disturbed over such a small
matter as me visiting my… sister.”
The word tasted bitter on my tongue.
The guard shifted uncomfortably. “I suppose a short visit wouldn’t hurt.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He stepped aside, allowing me to enter Scarlett’s room.
The contrast between her “prison” and my four years in Moon Shadow Prison couldn’t have been more stark. Her spacious quarters featured plush carpets, elegant furniture, and large windows overlooking the pack gardens.
And she had the audacity to call this confinement.
Scarlett was seated at a small dining table, a veritable feast spread before her. Two beta servants stood nearby, ready to attend to her needs.
Her emerald eyes widened when she saw me. “Celeste? What are you doing here?”
I noted the nervousness in her voice with satisfaction.
“Hello, Scarlett,” I greeted, moving further into the room. “Don’t let me interrupt your dinner.”
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She dabbed her lips with a napkin, watching me warily. “Would you like to join me? There’s
plenty.”
I approached the table, examining the elaborate spread–roast duck with moon–blessed glaze,
silver herb salad, wild berry compote. Even in disgrace, Scarlett received the finest treatment.
“Thank you for the offer,” I said, pulling out the chair opposite her.
I sat down, maintaining eye contact. Then, without warning, I swept my arm across the table,
sending plates, glasses, and food crashing to the floor.
The sound of shattering glass filled the room.
Scarlett jumped back with a startled cry. The beta servants rushed forward, then froze, unsure
how to respond to my action.
“Celeste!” Scarlett gasped. “What are you doing?”
Tears immediately filled her emerald eyes–her favorite weapon.
“Have I done something to offend you?” she whimpered. “I’m innocent, I swear! I never meant for those omegas to be hurt!”
I regarded her with cold amusement. She still thought this was about the omega wolves.
“I’m not here about that,” I said, my voice devoid of emotion.
Her tears paused momentarily, confusion replacing her practiced distress. “Then… why?”
I smiled, a chilling expression that made her shrink back in her chair.
“I need your help, Scarlett.”
She blinked rapidly, clearly not expecting this statement. “My help? With what?”
I leaned forward, my violet eyes locked on hers. “It’s quite simple, really.”
I gestured to the spilled food on the floor.
“From this moment forward, you will neither eat nor drink anything,” I instructed, my voice soft but firm.
