chapter 204: A Change of Heart
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
(Celeste’s POV)
Scarlett’s wails echoed through the pack house as she collapsed to her knees in the center of
the main hall. Tears streamed down her face, making her emerald eyes glisten in the dim
light.
Luna Victoria rushed to her biological daughter’s side, wrapping a protective arm around her
shoulders. Her maternal instincts clearly overriding any doubts raised by the young omega’s
testimony.
“James,” Victoria appealed to her mate, her voice trembling with emotion. “Think about this
logically. What female wolf would willingly ruin her own standing in the pack? It makes no
sense.”
I couldn’t help but scoff at the transparent display. My silver–scarred wolf bristled beneath my
skin, tired of the manipulation that had become Scarlett’s trademark.
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t you just telling us how afraid you were, Scarlett? How
seeing my fall from grace terrified you?”
All eyes turned to me. I kept my gaze fixed on Scarlett, watching her emerald eyes widen
slightly.
“You expressed fear that if your safety was compromised in any way, you might be rejected by your family,” I continued, my voice steady. “Just as I was.”
Scarlett shook her head frantically, her auburn hair whipping around her face.
“That’s not–I didn’t-” she stammered.
“A staged k********g solves everything, doesn’t it?” I pressed forward, watching her expression carefully. “Your family would rally around you in sympathy. They’d increase your protection. Alexander would feel guilty for the argument that supposedly drove you to flee.”
Each word hit its mark. Scarlett’s face paled further.
“And most importantly,” I added, “it would accelerate your mate marking with Alexander. After all, what better way to protect you than to finalize the claim quickly?”
Scarlett let out a strangled cry. “Stop it! These are lies!”
1/6
+8 Points
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
But I wasn’t finished. My violet eyes remained locked on hers, watching as she crumbled under the weight of her own deceptions.
“You already told Alexander you’d be at the territory borders,” I revealed, remembering the odd timing of Alexander’s appearance at the scene. “You knew he would arrive in time to prevent any real harm. It was all calculated, wasn’t it?”
“No!” she screamed, her wolf whimpering beneath her skin. “Lucas, please! Tell them it’s not
true!”
She scrambled toward her brother, clutching at his sleeve desperately. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into the fabric of his shirt as she gazed up at him with pleading eyes.
“Brother, you know me,” she begged. “You know I wouldn’t do this! Please believe me!”
(Lucas’s POV)
I stared down at my sister, my blood sister, as she clung to my arm. Her familiar emerald eyes -so like my own–brimmed with tears. Those same eyes had looked up at me countless
times throughout our lives, seeking my protection, my comfort.
But this time, I couldn’t give it.
My golden wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, confused and agitated. I had killed for her. My claws had torn through an omega wolf’s throat while his son watched in horror. I had. ended a life thinking I was protecting my sister.
Now I wasn’t sure what to believe.
Had those omegas acted alone, truly threatening her? Or had Scarlett orchestrated everything, manipulating not just them but me as well?
“Lucas?” Scarlett’s voice quavered when I didn’t immediately respond. “You do believe me,
don’t you?”
I slowly extracted my arm from her grip, taking a step back.
“I need time to think, Scarlett,” I said, my voice unnaturally calm even to my own ears. “I need
to understand exactly what happened tonight.”
Her face crumpled at my words.
“I’m going to investigate this,” I stated, looking at the young omega who had fallen into an exhausted sleep in Matthew’s arms. “I’m going to find out if those omega wolves acted alone or if they were following instructions.”
2/6
+8 Points
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
My words hung heavy in the air. I had never before questioned Scarlett’s version of events. My immediate comfort and fierce protection had always been guaranteed.
Now my stillness spoke volumes.
“Until we know the full truth,” Father’s authoritative voice broke through the tense silence,
“Scarlett will be confined to her quarters in the pack house.”
Scarlett gasped, her head whipping toward our father in disbelief.
“Confined?” she echoed, her voice small. “Like a prisoner?”
I watched as Father’s expression remained firm despite her tears–something I’d rarely seen
before.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “Until we know exactly what happened, you will remain in your room under
guard.”
glanced at Celeste, noting her surprise at Father’s decision. I understood her reaction. She had expected his rage, his swift punishment–the kind that had always been reserved for her.
But this time, his anger was measured, controlled, and directed at Scarlett.
“Father, please,” Scarlett tried once more, her voice breaking. “I didn’t-”
“Enough, Scarlett,” Father interrupted, his golden eyes hard. “We will discuss this further once
I’ve had time to consider everything.”
The finality in his tone silenced even Mother, who stood frozen in place, clearly torn between
her maternal instincts and the weight of the evidence against her biological daughter.
I watched as Celeste took in the scene, a bitter realization dawning in her violet eyes. All these
years, Father’s fury and discipline had been exclusively directed at her–never at his own
daughter.
With a small sigh and a shake of her head, Celeste turned away.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said quietly. “I believe we’ve all had enough revelations for one night.”
No one stopped her as she left.
(Celeste’s POV)
The night air felt cool against my skin as I stepped outside the Winter Pack house. The
tension of the main hall dissipated with each step I took, replaced by a strange lightness.
I found Matthew sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, cradling the sleeping young omega
3/6
+8 Point:
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
wolf. His head jerked up at my approach, his silver–gray eyes immediately scanning my face for signs of distress.
“Are you alright?” he asked, carefully shifting the boy as he rose to his feet. “What happened in
there?”
“Scarlett has been confined to her quarters,” I explained, watching his eyes widen in surprise. “Alpha James wants to investigate further before making any decisions.”
Matthew nodded, but his concerned gaze didn’t leave my face. “And you? Are you okay?”
I felt a smile tug at my lips–a genuine one. How long had it been since someone had asked me that question and truly cared about the answer?
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “There’s only one thing that concerns me now.”
Matthew tensed, ready to face whatever threat I might name.
“My grandmother Eleanor,” I continued. “I need her approval of our mate claim.”
Relief washed over his features, followed quickly by uncertainty.
“Do you think she’ll object?” he asked.
I shook my head, confidence filling me. “Not once I tell her about you. I’ll sing your praises
until she has no choice but to consent.”
Matthew smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He glanced down at the sleeping boy in
his arms.
“A second–in–command,” he murmured. “I’m hardly worthy of-”
“Stop,” I interrupted, my tone sharper than I intended.
His eyes snapped to mine, surprised by my sudden vehemence.
“Don’t ever say you’re not worthy,” I said, my voice softening. “You’re important, Matthew. To
- me. Do you understand?”
He stared at me, clearly caught off guard by my intensity.
“I’m going to need you in the days ahead,” I continued, holding his gaze. “That means you need to stay alive and unharmed. You need to protect yourself so you can protect me when needed.”
My words hung in the air between us. Matthew looked stunned, as if the weight of my
declaration had only just settled on his shoulders.
Everything since my impulsive proposal had moved so quickly, feeling almost dreamlike. But
4/6
+8 Point:
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
my words seemed to bring a sharp clarity, confirming that this was real–we were real.
“Today at the restaurant,” I said, gesturing toward his bandaged head. “You were injured because of me. Because you were worried about me.”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly tight. “But what if something worse had happened? What
would I have done then?”
Understanding dawned in Matthew’s eyes. He had been driven purely by concern for me, not
considering the consequences of his actions.
“I’ll be more careful,” he promised solemnly. “Next time, I’ll bring Dr. Pierce with me.”
A small laugh escaped me despite the seriousness of our conversation. Leave it to Matthew
to find humor even now.
“This isn’t funny,” I scolded, though I couldn’t keep the smile from my voice. “I was being
serious.”
“So was I,” he countered, but his eyes had lightened. “I promise to take better care of myself.
For you.”
He adjusted the sleeping boy in his arms, preparing to leave.
“I should get him somewhere safe,” Matthew said, nodding toward the young omega. “His
pack will be worried.”
I nodded, knowing he was right.
He turned to go, then suddenly stopped and faced me again. A blush crept up his neck, visible
even in the dim light.
“I-” he started, then cleared his throat. “I’ll come see you in two days. If that’s alright?”
I nodded, touched by his formality.
“And I’ll miss you,” he added in a rush, the words tumbling out before he quickly turned and
walked away, as if embarrassed by his own confession.
I smiled as I watched him go, his shy admission warming something long cold within me.
As I turned to re–enter the pack house, I nearly collided with Alexander. I stepped back, startled by his silent approach.
“What are you doing here?” I frowned, immediately on guard.
Alexander’s ice–blue eyes flicked to the path where Matthew had disappeared, then returned to
5/6
- Pointi
chapter 204: A Change of Heart
- me. His usually impassive face betrayed a hint of displeasure.
“Matthew Sterling,” he said, his voice carefully neutral. “That’s your choice?”
Irritation flashed through me. “If I didn’t know better, I might think you were expressing
romantic interest, Alexander.”
My sarcasm didn’t faze him. He simply looked at me, his white wolf stirring visibly beneath his
skin.
“Why?” he asked, ignoring my barb completely.
The directness of his question took me by surprise.
“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with other matters?” I countered, crossing my arms
defensively. “Your mate–to–be has just been confined to her quarters for-”
“I’m not concerned,” he cut me off. “I’m curious.”
He subtly adjusted his right sleeve, revealing bloodstains from his earlier leap from the
second–floor balcony at the restaurant.
