Chapter 216: A Sudden Chill
Chapter 216: A Sudden Chill
(Celeste’s POV)
Matthew pulled me through the door of the Moon Silver Restaurant, his grip firm but gentle around my wrist. The afternoon sun hit my eyes as we emerged onto the street. His pace was hurried, almost desperate to put distance between us and Jason Moore.
“Matthew, slow down,” Nina called from behind us. “Miss Celeste is still recovering from her hunger strike.”
Matthew stopped abruptly. He turned, his silver–gray eyes wide with concern as they scanned my face.
“I’m so sorry,” he said softly. “I wasn’t thinking.”
The fierce, dominant wolf who had stormed into the private room just minutes ago had
vanished. In his place stood my Matthew, gentle and considerate.
“It’s fine,” I assured him. “I’m stronger than I look.”
His gaze lingered on my face, searching for signs of weakness. I squeezed his hand, but as I did, I felt something warm and wet between our palms. Looking down, I saw crimson droplets
falling onto the pavement.
“You’re bleeding,” I said, pulling his arm toward me.
A long gash ran along his forearm, still seeping blood. The wound looked deep, the edges
ragged.
“It’s nothing,” he said, trying to pull his arm away. “Just a scratch from dealing with that beta
wolf.”
“That’s not nothing,” I insisted. “It needs proper cleaning and bandaging.”
Matthew shook his head. “I need to check on my family. After what happened with my father’s
detention, I want to make sure they’re safe.”
“We can do both,” I said firmly. “Let me treat your wound first, then we’ll go to your family
together.”
He nodded, and we walked hand–in–hand through the streets. Despite the circumstances, I felt a quiet warmth spreading through me. This simple connection felt more intimate than any
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words.
Nina followed a few paces behind, giving us space while maintaining her protective watch. Matthew’s home was a modest two–story building on the outskirts of Silver Creek territory, surrounded by silver birch trees. The house was well–maintained but simple, a stark contrast to the Winter Pack house.
As we approached the gate, the front door swung open. A young female wolf emerged, her silver–gray eyes–so similar to Matthew’s–widening at the sight of us.
“Matt!” she called, her voice mixing relief and confusion. “You’re back!”
Her gaze traveled from Matthew to me, then to our joined hands. I could see her noting my formal attire, the subtle marks of status identifying me as part of the Winter Pack elite.
Two older wolves appeared in the doorway behind the girl. From their protective stances, these could only be Matthew’s parents.
“Mother, Father,” Matthew greeted them. “I want you to meet someone.”
He led me forward, his grip on my hand tightening slightly.
“This is Celeste Winters, former daughter of Alpha James Winters,” he introduced me formally. “Celeste, these are my parents, Daniel and Sarah Sterling, and my sister, Emily.”
Daniel Sterling was tall with graying hair and silver–gray eyes. His face bore the marks of recent hardship–deep lines that spoke of stress and suffering. Sarah was shorter, with dark hair streaked with silver and kind eyes that didn’t match her stiff posture.
Their smiles were polite but strained as they nodded. It was clear they already knew who I was -and what my connection to the Winter Pack meant.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said gently.
“Please, come in,” Sarah said after a moment’s hesitation.
Matthew led me into a cozy living room filled with simple furniture. Family photos adorned the
walls, showing Matthew and Emily at various ages.
“Let me see that arm,” I said once we were seated.
Matthew extended his injured limb reluctantly.
“What happened?” Sarah asked, eyes widening at the blood.
“Just a small disagreement,” Matthew replied lightly. “Nothing to worry about.”
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I examined the cut carefully. It was deep but clean, likely made by a sharp claw rather than a
blade.
“Do you have a first aid kit?” I asked Sarah.
She nodded and returned moments later with medical supplies. I worked efficiently, cleaning the wound before applying healing salve and bandages.
“You have gentle hands,” Sarah observed.
I glanced up, surprised. “Thank you. I’ve had practice.”
A shadow crossed her face, suggesting she knew exactly what kind of “practice” I meant.
“Would you like some water?” she offered, her tone formal but not unkind.
The question seemed loaded with meaning beyond simple hospitality. There was something in her eyes–a wariness, perhaps, or acknowledgment of the difference between our positions.
“Water would be lovely,” I replied lightly. “Elite pack or humble den, water quenches thirst just
the same.”
Sarah’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile before she turned away.
Emily perched on the arm of a nearby chair, her eyes never leaving my face. Her posture was
defensive, her wolf visibly bristling.
“So,” she said sharply. “You’re from the Winter Pack.”
“Emily,” Matthew warned.
She ignored him. “That attack at the Moon Silver Restaurant… that was because of you,
wasn’t it?”
I remained silent, letting Matthew address his sister’s concerns.
“It had nothing to do with Celeste,” he said firmly. “Jason Moore and I had a previous
disagreement.”
Emily leaned forward, her silver–gray eyes flashing. “Was it? Because it seems awfully
coincidental that right after you start seeing her, our father gets detained on false charges and
you get attacked.”
Her voice cracked slightly, revealing the fear beneath her anger.
“The Winter Pack has that kind of power,” she continued. “They could crush our family without
even trying. They almost did!”
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Tears glistened in her eyes, genuine fear evident in her trembling lip.
“Emily, that’s enough,” Matthew said, rising.
Daniel Sterling stepped forward. “Your sister’s concerns aren’t unfounded, Matthew.”
His voice carried the weight of recent suffering.
“We’re ordinary wolves,” he continued. “We don’t have the influence or connections of the
Winter Pack. We can’t match their power or status.”
The implication was clear. I was out of their league. My former position–and the dangers associated with it–made me a liability to their family.
“I should go,” I said quietly, rising from my seat.
Matthew reached for my hand. “Celeste-”
“It’s alright,” I assured him. “Your family has been through a lot. They need time.”
I moved swiftly toward the door. The cool afternoon air was a relief after the stifling tension
inside.
Matthew followed me out. “Celeste, wait. Please.”
I turned, but before I could speak, a tearful voice called from the doorway.
“Matt! Don’t go!”
Emily stood there, eyes red–rimmed, her form trembling. Behind her, I could see Daniel and
Sarah, their faces etched with worry.
Matthew hesitated, caught between following me and returning to his distressed family.
The sight squeezed my heart painfully. I understood their fear. The Winter Pack’s influence had nearly destroyed them once already. Now, I represented a continued threat.
“Don’t see me out,” I told him with a sad smile. “They need you right now, Matthew.”
Nina was already waiting by the car. I walked toward her, forcing myself to maintain a dignified pace.
“Are you alright, Miss?” she asked as she opened the car door.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. As I slid into the backseat, I caught one last glimpse of Matthew standing in the yard, torn between conflicting loyalties.
The car pulled away, carrying me back toward the Winter Pack territory. My silver–scarred wolf
curled tightly within me, seeking comfort against the cold ache in my chest.
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I understood Matthew’s family’s fear. After what they’d endured because of the Winter Pack’s influence, their caution was justified. Perhaps I should have waited longer before meeting
them.
My thoughts scattered as the car suddenly jerked to a halt. Nina turned in her seat, her hand
moving toward her weapon.
“What-” I began, leaning forward to see through the windshield.
There, standing in the middle of the road with his arms outstretched, was Matthew. His
silver–gray wolf’s aura radiated determination as he barred the car’s way.
