Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
(Matthew’s POV)
The Winter Pack territory seemed more intimidating than usual as I approached the pack house. My boots crunched on the gravel path, my heart racing with worry. I hadn’t heard from
Celeste in days.
Two guards blocked my path at the entrance, their expressions hardening upon recognizing
- me.
“State your business,” the taller one demanded, hand moving to his silver dagger.
“I’m here to see Celeste Winters,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite my wolf’s
restlessness.
“Miss Winters is not receiving visitors,” the shorter guard said. “Alpha James’s orders.”
Before I could protest, a familiar voice interrupted.
“Let him through.”
Lucas Winters emerged from the pack house, fresh bruises on his face. The guards
immediately stepped aside, bowing to the future Alpha.
“Sterling,” Lucas acknowledged coldly. “We need to talk before you see her.”
Fear gripped my heart. “Has something happened to her?”
Lucas led me to a small courtyard for privacy. “Your father is free,” he stated.
“Yes,” I replied cautiously. “I appreciate the Winter Pack’s intervention.”
“Don’t thank us,” Lucas snapped. “It wasn’t our choice. My sister starved herself for five days
to secure your father’s release.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. “What?”
“You heard me. Celeste refused all food and water until my father agreed to release yours from detention.”
My legs nearly buckled. Five days without sustenance would severely weaken any wolf.
“She didn’t tell me,” I whispered. “I would never have allowed-”
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Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
“She didn’t need your permission,” Lucas interrupted. “She made her choice.”
Anger flared within me. “Why didn’t you stop her? She’s your sister!”
“Don’t you think we tried?” Lucas’s voice rose. “She’s more stubborn than anyone I’ve ever
known.”
“Where is she now? I need to see her.”
Lucas’s expression darkened further. “There’s more. Yesterday, when she finally broke her fast… she ate scraps meant for omega wolves. Food not fit for consumption.”
Horror washed over me. “Why would she-”
“To secure a promise from me that the Winter Pack would never trouble your family again.”
The knowledge that Celeste had humiliated herself for my sake crushed something inside me.
“Your family did this to her,” I growled, anger quickly replacing shock. “You’ve been tormenting
her since her return from Moon Shadow Prison.”
Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t pretend to understand our family dynamics, Sterling. You’re just
her latest distraction.”
“Distraction?” I stepped closer. “I’ve watched her suffer because of your family’s cruelty. You
threw her into Moon Shadow Prison without a second thought. You welcomed her back only to
treat her like an outcast.”
“You’re the reason she’s suffering now!” Lucas shouted. “If she hadn’t decided to throw her lot
in with you, none of this would have happened!”
“If you’d treated her with basic decency, she wouldn’t have needed to look elsewhere for
support!”
Something snapped in Lucas. With a snarl, he lunged at me, his fist connecting with my jaw. Pain exploded across my face, but my wolf was ready.
I countered with a strike to his stomach. He doubled over before recovering, sweeping my legs from under me. We crashed to the ground, trading blows, our wolves surging beneath our skin.
“You don’t deserve her,” he growled.
“And you do?” I spat back, landing a hit to his ribs. “After everything you’ve put her through?”
Finally, exhausted and bloodied, we broke apart. Lucas wiped blood from his split lip, his
golden eyes showing reluctant respect.
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Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
“She cares for you,” he conceded grudgingly. “Though the Moon knows why.”
“I care for her too. More than you can imagine.”
Lucas studied me silently for a moment. “Come on,” he said finally. “She’s in her quarters.”
I followed him through the pack house, my heart pounding harder with each step closer to
Celeste.
At her door, Lucas stepped aside. “Don’t upset her. She’s been through enough.”
Before I could knock, Nina opened the door, her eyes widening at our appearance.
“What happened to you two?” she demanded.
“We had a discussion,” Lucas replied dryly. “Is she awake?”
Nina’s expression softened. “No. She’s finally sleeping. Dr. Pierce gave her something for the pain.”
“I need to see her,” I insisted.
Nina blocked my view. “She’s not in a state to receive visitors, Matthew. Even you.”
“Please,” I begged. “Just for a moment.”
“She specifically told me to turn you away if you came. She said to tell you she’ll visit you in a few days, once she’s recovered her strength.”
My wolf whined in distress. “Did she say anything else?”
“She said you should focus on caring for your father now that he’s been released. That both of you need time to recover.”
Even now, weakened and in pain, she was thinking of others first.
“She doesn’t want you to see her like this,” Nina added quietly. “She’s… not well.”
I understood then. Celeste, proud and strong, didn’t want me to witness her vulnerability.
“Tell her I understand, and I’ll be waiting when she’s ready.”
Nina nodded with relief. “I will.”
“And Nina,” I added, “take care of her.”
“Always,” she promised fiercely.
With heavy steps, I turned away. Each step felt like betrayal, but I respected her wishes.
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Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
Nina’s voice sudden called out behind me. I turned to see her hurrying down the path.
“Matthew, wait,” she said, slightly breathless.
My heart leaped with hope. “Is she asking for me?”
Nina shook her head. “No, she’s still sleeping. But I wanted to tell you something.”
She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring we were alone.
“Celeste cares for you deeply. I’ve never seen her fight so hard for anyone.”
The words intensified my shame. “She shouldn’t have had to.”
“That’s not the point,” Nina insisted. “She chose to. Don’t let her down by disappearing
because you feel guilty.”
I met her gaze. “I would never abandon her. No matter what.”
Nina smiled, satisfied. “Good. Because she needs you, even if she’s too stubborn to admit it.”
(Celeste’s POV)
The room spun as another wave of sickness hit. I leaned over the basin Nina held, retching
painfully though my stomach was empty.
“Easy,” Nina murmured, supporting me while holding back my hair. “Just breathe.”
My throat burned from acid, my stomach muscles aching. My body was rejecting the scraps I
had forced myself to eat.
When the spasm passed, Nina helped me lie back and pressed a cool cloth to my forehead.
“Matthew was here,” she said softly.
I closed my eyes. “I know.”
“He’s gone now. Lucas walked him out.”
Relief mingled with disappointment in my chest. “Good. Did you tell him what I said?”
Nina nodded. “That you’d visit him in a few days, once you’ve recovered.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice raw.
“He seemed devastated,” Nina added. “Guilty.”
I hadn’t wanted that. The last thing I needed was Matthew blaming himself.
“He shouldn’t be,” I said. “This was my decision.”
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Chapter 213: A Misunderstanding
Nina set the basin aside, watching me with concern. “He cares for you, Celeste. Seeing you
like this would kill him.”
I knew she was right. Matthew would blame himself for every mark on my body, every
moment of suffering.
“That’s why he can’t see me,” I said firmly. “Not until I’m stronger.”
Nina sighed but didn’t argue.
“I worry he might pull away,” she admitted. “Out of some misguided attempt to protect you.”
The thought sent a pang of fear through me. “He wouldn’t.”
But doubt crept in. If Matthew believed his presence caused me harm, he might withdraw, no
matter how much it hurt us both.
“Rest now,” Nina urged, seeing my exhaustion. “You need to regain your strength.”
I closed my eyes, too weak to resist the pull of sleep. My last thought was of Matthew–his
gentle hands, his kind eyes, his unwavering support.
