My In 13

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Chapter 13: My Personal ell

(Celeste’s POV)

Alpha James’s booming voice echoed through the icy halls of the main hall.

His wrath was unrelenting as he delivered his disciplinary strikes to Lucas, his fists.

connecting with sharp, thunderous cracks.

Lucas stood rooted in place, his back straight and firm even as his jaw tightened under the

harsh blows. His face turned slightly, blood pooling around the edges of his mouth, but he

didn’t flinch.

Through it all, I stood on the edge of the room, watching the Winters Pack gather in a

semi–circle, their gazes flickering between Alpha James and Lucas.

My wolf stirred faintly, her energy drained but curling uneasily at the sight. Alpha’s words were

barbed and laced with an unspoken message, one that I knew was partially directed at me.

“Respect for authority! For diplomacy!” Alpha James thundered, his wolf bristling beneath his

skin. “Do you think this pack can survive on brute strength alone? You embarrass our name.

You embarrass the honor of this family!”

Scarlett’s figure appeared at the far end of the hall. Sarah held her arm, helping her walk with

apparent frailty. Her wolf whimpered pathetically, and Scarlett leaned against her guard as

though her legs could hardly carry her.

Her emerald eyes darted between Lucas and her father, flickering with fear and hesitation.

When she saw Lucas’s bloodied face, she gasped softly. Her delicate frame fell to its knees with practiced grace, the soft clinking of silver jewelry barely audible over her trembling

breath.

Her voice trembled as she pleaded, “Father, please… Please forgive him. He only wanted to protect the pack. He was thinking of us all…”

I crossed my arms tightly, watching the scene with a hardened expression.

Scarlett’s wolf let out a soft whimper as she lowered her head submissively. It was the kind of gesture that demanded love, demanded reassurance.

The shift was immediate.

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Chapter 13: My Personal ell

Alpha James’s wolf eased, his chest heaving as his anger evaporated under the weight of his true daughter’s distress.

Luna Victoria’s eyes, shimmering with concern, softened as she stepped forward, placing a tender hand on Scarlett’s trembling shoulder.

“James,” Victoria called gently. “Let it go. She’s already so pale, so weak from the moon pool ordeal. Let’s not add more worry to her shoulders.”

The corner of my lips twitched, bitter amusement bubbling quietly in my chest. Their wolves bowed to Scarlett naturally, bending to her fragility with an instinctive protectiveness I had never truly known.

Lucas’s wolf whined softly, evidently moved by Scarlett’s intervention. His golden eyes shifted briefly, seeking mine.

I met his gaze coldly, keeping my expression steady. A flicker of something crossed his face- frustration, guilt, need–but I turned away, my wolf retreating to its hollow corner.

Victoria’s soft commands filled the air. “Someone fetch the pack healers for Lucas. Tend to his wounds before they get worse.” Her words held warmth, her concern genuine.

She turned back to Scarlett, fussing over her hair, checking her cheeks for warmth. Their

wolves nuzzled each other quietly in their shared bond.

I took a step toward the doorway, my chest tightening against the familiar weight of being an

outsider. This moment was a grim reminder–I was merely a ghost in these walls.

Before I could leave, a hand grabbed my arm.

“Celeste.”

I turned sharply, meeting Lucas’s golden eyes. They burned with frustration. His wolf surged

beneath his gaze, brimming with emotion that mirrored his tone.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” His voice was rough, trembling with an anger I didn’t fully

understand.

He stepped closer, his grip tightening slightly: “I defended our pack’s honor. I defended you!”

He rolled his shoulders back, deliberately exposing the blood that trickled down his temple.

His body radiated heat, his presence dominating and suffocating.

His wolf growled faintly, a low rumble that demanded acknowledgment.

“What do you expect me to say?” My voice remained cold, my wolf stirring weakly beneath my

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Chapter 13: My Personal ell

ribs.

His brows pulled low, his frustration twisting into outright anger. “I faced Regina’s wrath for

you,” he snarled. “For us.”

His voice rose louder, catching the attention of nearby wolves. Their whispers rose, their murmurs like gnats in my ears. All eyes turned toward us. I could feel their gazes prickling against my skin, watching, waiting.

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh, one that echoed harshly in the empty corners of the room.

“Is that what you want?” I said, my eyes narrowing as I leaned closer, my voice cutting through the.tense air. “A thank you for finally finding your misplaced guilt?”

His expression twisted painfully at my words. His wolf growled my name–low, dangerous, and

brimming with betrayal.

Scarlett, ever so fragile, turned toward me with wide, cautious eyes.

“Sister,” she said, her voice soft but insistent. “How can you say that? He defended you. That’s

so uncharacteristic of him… Yet he still stood up for you.”

I stared at her blankly, her careful manipulation washing over me without effect. I shifted my gaze back to Lucas. His chest tightened, his wolf bristling violently against my refusal to meet

him halfway.

I raised my voice so that everyone could hear–not just him. “If you wanted to protect me, you’d have challenged Sarah after all she’s done. She helped frame me. She watched firsthand while the sacred moon crystal accusation tore me apart. But instead of challenging her, you

went after random warriors.”

Gasps echoed faintly around the room. As I had expected, mentioning Sarah’s role froze

everyone.

Lucas’s expression contorted in disbelief and regret. His mouth opened as if to respond, but nothing came. Scarlett angled herself toward Lucas, her hands reaching for his arm as though offering quiet comfort.

Before Lucas could speak, Beta Thompson’s familiar silhouette appeared at the far end of the

corridor, entering briskly.”

“Alpha, Luna,” he began, his voice formal,but slightly strained: “An urgent request from Regina

Blackwood. She claims…”

He cleared his throat briefly. “… she claims Lady Celeste’s expertise is required to prepare

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Chapter 13: My Personal ell

specific wolfsbane–infused herbs for a sacred ceremony.”

The crowd murmured again, the air heavy with unspoken tension.

Beta Thompson continued, emphasizing his words. “The herbs must be ready by moonrise.

tomorrow. She was very specific that only Lady Celeste may handle them.”

My throat tightened at the implication, but I nodded once, exuding calm resolve. “I will handle

it.”

Turning back to Lucas, I tilted my head slightly. “Thank you for earning me the ‘honor‘ of

Regina’s punishment. I’m sure handling poisonous herbs will be delightful.”

My words landed like a punch. He winced visibly, his wolf snarling low in frustration.

Nina silently followed as I brushed past the crowd, carrying the bundle of wolfsbane tightly

against my chest.

In the cold silence of my quarters, Nina hovered behind me, her sharp eyes flickering with

worry.

“My Lady…” Her voice was quiet yet trembling with emotion. “I’ll prepare the herbs myself. I

know how much the wolfsbane burns your scars. Let me help.”

I didn’t look up, My hands trembled faintly as I set the bundle down.

“No.” My voice was steady but firm. “If there’s even the smallest mistake, Regina will use it as

an excuse to escalate the punishment.”

Nina grabbed a bucket of water, her grip tightening briefly. “At least use warm water then. So

you won’t need to-”

“No heat,” I interrupted. My voice held finality. “Heat activates the toxic fumes. Cold water keeps it stable.”

She hesitated, her wolf bristling weakly in concern, before nodding reluctantly.

I didn’t wait for her argument to settle. Taking the first stalk, I began the careful process of stripping the herbs under cold water, bracing for the inevitable sting.