Chapter 206: A Family’s Dying Wish
Chapter 206: A Family’s Dying Wish
(Celeste’s POV)
After my grandmother slept, Sarah Miller, my grandmother’s beta attendant, entered the room carrying a tray of fresh tea and medications. Her graying hair was pulled back in a severe bun,
her movements efficient after decades of service.
“Miss Celeste,” Sarah acknowledged with a respectful nod. “I’m glad you’ve come.”
I stood to help Sarah arrange the medications on the bedside table. “Has the doctor been by
today?”
“Dr. Pierce visited at dawn,” Sarah said, her voice dropping to a whisper once Eleanor’s eyes
drifted closed again. “May I speak with you outside for a moment?”
I nodded, giving my grandmother’s hand a gentle squeeze before following Sarah into the
antechamber.
Once we were alone, Sarah’s professional demeanor slipped, revealing the worry beneath.
“Her condition is deteriorating faster than expected,” she admitted, wringing her hands. “Dr.
Pierce has increased the dosage of moon–blessed herbs, but…”
Her voice trailed off, the implication clear. My throat tightened.
“How long?” I managed to ask.
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “Weeks, perhaps. Not months.”
The news hit me like a physical blow. I’d known my grandmother was ill, but I hadn’t realized
how little time remained.
“There is one thing,” Sarah continued, her voice barely audible. “The moon–blessed healing herbs from Alexander Steele have been particularly effective. They’re the only reason she’s
lasted this long.”
I blinked in surprise. “Alexander has been providing herbs?”
Sarah nodded. “For months now. He delivers them personally, always asking after her
condition.”
I hadn’t known. The revelation that Alexander had been quietly helping my grandmother stirred
complicated feelings within me.
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“There’s something else you should know,” Sarah added, her eyes meeting mine directly. “Her greatest wish–her dying wish, if I may be so bold–is to see you properly marked by a worthy
mate.”
My chest tightened. “She told me as much.”
Sarah hesitated, then pressed on. “She had hoped… that is, she always believed Alexander
Steele would be that mate.”
The words hung between us, heavy with implication. I remained silent, guilt coiling in my
stomach.
“I know it’s not my place,” Sarah continued when I didn’t respond. “But perhaps you might
consider-‘
“Alexander is engaged to mark Scarlett,” I interrupted, my voice sharper than intended. “That
matter is settled.”
Sarah lowered her eyes. “Of course. Forgive me for overstepping.”
I softened my tone. “I appreciate your concern for my grandmother. And I thank you for telling
me about Alexander’s herbs.”
Returning to my grandmother’s bedside, I watched her sleeping face. She looked peaceful, the lines of pain temporarily smoothed in slumber.
I sat with her until midday, holding her hand and occasionally reading to her when she woke. But my mind kept returning to Matthew and his injuries from the restaurant incident.
When Sarah returned to administer Eleanor’s afternoon medication, I rose to leave.
“I’ll return tomorrow,” I promised, kissing my grandmother’s forehead.
She caught my hand with surprising strength. “Be happy, little one,” she whispered. “That’s all I wish for you.”
The simple statement nearly undid me. I nodded, not trusting my voice, and slipped from the
room.
My next destination was the pack training grounds where Matthew usually spent his days. The healing herbs Dr. Pierce had given me for him weighed in my pocket as I crossed the
territory.
The training ground was bustling with activity, warriors sparring under the watchful eye of senior pack members. I scanned the area but saw no sign of Matthew’s familiar form.
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“Excuse me,” I approached a young beta wolf who was arranging practice weapons. “I’m looking for Matthew Sterling.”
The wolf straightened immediately, recognition flashing in his eyes. “Miss Winters! Matthew hasn’t been here today. In fact, no one has seen him since yesterday evening.”
A flicker of concern sparked within me. “Do you know where he’s staying?”
“He has private quarters in the eastern wing of the warrior dormitory,” the wolf offered
helpfully.
I thanked him and headed in that direction, my steps quickening with growing anxiety. Matthew’s injuries had been severe. What if they had worsened overnight?
The eastern wing was quiet, most of its occupants at training. I found Matthew’s door easily
enough–the only one with a small, worn silver emblem of the Sterling family affixed to it.
I knocked firmly. “Matthew? It’s Celeste.”
Silence greeted me. I knocked again, harder this time.
“Matthew?”
Still nothing.
I tried the handle, but the door was locked. My silver–scarred wolf bristled with unease
beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right.
Nina appeared at my side, her silver–gray wolf alert and watchful. I hadn’t even sent for her-
she simply had a talent for knowing when I needed help.
“Something’s wrong,” I told her, gesturing to the locked door. “Matthew isn’t here, and with his
injuries…”
Nina’s sharp eyes assessed the situation. “I can track him to Silver Creek territory if needed.
That’s his hometown, isn’t it?”
I nodded, relief flooding through me at her practical suggestion. “Yes, please. Go immediately.”
“What about you?” Nina asked, her protective instincts clearly troubled at the thought of leaving me alone.
“I’ll be fine,” I assured her. “I’ll return to my quarters and wait for your news.”
Nina hesitated, then nodded firmly. “I’ll be as quick as possible.”
I watched her hurry away, then made my way back to my assigned quarters in the pack house.
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Chapter 206: A Family’s Dying W…
My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by Matthew’s unexplained absence.
Hours crawled by. I tried to distract myself with books, but found myself reading the same paragraph repeatedly without comprehension. I arranged and rearranged the healing herbs I’d brought for Matthew, grinding some into a paste that would be easier to apply to his wounds.
When a knock finally came at my door, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Nina entered, her face grim, and I knew immediately that her news wasn’t good.
“He’s not in Silver Creek territory,” she reported, her voice tight with concern. “In fact, his family. is missing as well.”
My heart sank. “Missing? All of them?”
Nina nodded. “According to the pack members I spoke with, Matthew’s father was detained by
the Alpha King’s justice enforcers yesterday afternoon.”
“Detained?” I echoed, shocked. “On what charges?”
“Apparently for causing the death of a merchant wolf through a territorial dispute,” Nina’s
silver–gray eyes flashed with skepticism. “The timing seems… suspicious.”
I felt sick. This had happened immediately after Matthew had defended me at the restaurant-
after Alpha James had discovered my intention to choose Matthew as my mate.
“The merchant died of a heart attack, according to what I heard,” Nina continued. “But
because it occurred during an argument with Sterling’s father, they’re holding him
responsible.”
My fingers curled into fists, my claws digging into my palms. This reeked of Alpha James’s
interference–a way to pressure Matthew and separate us.
“I need to go to the Alpha King’s territory justice center,” I said, already moving toward the door. “Immediately.”
Nina didn’t question my decision, merely falling into step beside me. “I’ll accompany you.”
The journey felt interminable. We took one of the Winter Pack’s vehicles, with Nina driving as I
stared out the window, my mind racing through worst–case scenarios.
By the time we reached the imposing stone building of the justice center, dusk was settling over the territory, casting long shadows across the courtyard.
And there, sitting on the steps outside the main entrance, was Matthew.
My heart leaped at the sight of him, then immediately constricted with concern. Even from a
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distance, I could see that his bandages were stained with fresh blood. He sat with his head in
his hands, the picture of defeat.
I was out of the car before Nina had fully stopped, rushing across the courtyard.
“Matthew!”
He looked up, disbelief washing over his face as he recognized me. “Celeste? What are you doing here?”
I reached him, my hands instinctively moving to inspect his bloodied bandages. “Nina told me
about your father. What happened?”
Matthew’s silver–gray eyes were tired, the dark circles beneath them telling of a sleepless
night. “My father had an argument with a merchant wolf three days ago over territory
boundaries. Nothing unusual–these disputes happen all the time.”
He ran a hand through his hair, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. “But apparently
the merchant had a weak heart. He collapsed during their argument and died later that night.”
“So they’re blaming your father?” I asked, outraged. “For a pre–existing condition?”
Matthew nodded grimly. “They claim the stress of the argument triggered the heart failure,
making my father responsible for his death.”
“That’s absurd!”
“I know,” Matthew agreed, his voice heavy with frustration. “I’ve been here since dawn trying to
see the Alpha King’s justice officer, but they won’t even let me through the door.”
I glanced at the imposing building, my wolf bristling at the injustice. “There must be someone who can help.”
“Well, well,” a mocking voice interrupted us. “If it isn’t Alexander’s lap dog and his
silver–scarred girlfriend.”
Matthew tensed beside me as we both turned to face the newcomer. Jason Moore strode
toward us, his handsome face marred by the still–healing cuts and bruises from the restaurant
brawl. Despite his injuries, he carried himself with the entitled arrogance of his position as the
Alpha King’s advisor’s grandson.
“I heard your father is facing serious charges,” Jason continued, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Killing a merchant? Tsk, tsk. The Alpha King doesn’t look kindly on those who disrupt
trade routes.”
Matthew took a step forward, but I placed a restraining hand on his arm.
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“What do you want, Moore?” I asked coldly.
Jason’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Matthew. “Just enjoying the view. It’s not often one.
gets to witness the fall of Sterling’s family in real time.”
His smirk widened as he took in Matthew’s bloodied bandages and exhausted posture. “Though I must say, you’re looking rather worse for wear. Those wounds from our little… disagreement seem to be troubling you.”
Matthew didn’t rise to the bait, but I could feel his muscles tensing beneath my hand.
“Strange coincidence, isn’t it?” Jason continued, his voice dripping with false sympathy. “Your
attack me at the restaurant, and the very next day your father is detained for a merchant’s
death. Almost as if someone with influence wanted to teach you a lesson about knowing your
place.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I wonder how much worse it
might get if you continue to pursue certain… unsuitable attachments.”
His gaze slid meaningfully to me, making his threat clear. Matthew’s growl was low and
dangerous.
Jason merely laughed, clearly relishing Matthew’s predicament, despite his own injuries from
their earlier confrontation at the Moon Silver Restaurant.
