Chapter 236: A Sister’s Accusation
(Celeste’s POV)
Emma’s eyes filled with skepticism as she looked at me. “You really believe that?”
I met her gaze steadily, remembering her concerned question about the Northern Ridge rogues from our conversation yesterday. The pendant at my throat–the Sterling family heirloom
Sarah had given me–felt suddenly heavy.
“I do,” I replied simply.
Emma’s expression remained guarded. “How can you be so calm about all this? My brother is
out there facing dangerous rogue wolves, and you’re just getting settled in like it’s a normal
day.”
Her accusatory tone pierced through the composure I’d been struggling to maintain. My
fingers clutched the windowsill as I turned fully toward her.
“Calm?” I echoed. “Emma, I am far from calm.”
“Then show it!” she demanded, stepping closer. “Because from where I’m standing, you don’t
seem to care much about what happens to my brother.”
The unfairness of her accusation stung. I’d been swallowing my fears, trying not to burden
Matthew’s family with my own worries.
“What do you know about Matthew’s mission?” I asked, my voice growing urgent. “Has there
been news I haven’t heard?”
Emma’s laugh was bitter, cutting through the tension like a silver blade. “News? No. But that
doesn’t mean I don’t know why he went.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “Tell me what you know, Emma. Please.”
“He went because of you!” she spat, her eyes flashing with anger and fear. “He joined that
mission to suppress the rogue wolves in Northern Ridge solely for you, Celeste Winters.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “What do you mean, for me?”
“He wants to secure a higher position in the pack hierarchy,” Emma continued, her voice breaking slightly. “He thinks if he completes this dangerous mission, the Alpha King will recognize his strength and grant him higher standing. All so he can be worthy of you!”
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< Chapter 236: A Sister’s Accus.
The room seemed to spin around me. I gripped the windowsill for support.
“He told you this?” I whispered.
+8 Points >
“He didn’t have to,” Emma replied. “I overheard him talking to one of his beta warriors before he left. He said he needed to provide you with a peaceful future, to protect you from further
harm. He said he needed to be stronger for you.”
Each word felt like a silver dagger to my heart. Matthew had gone into danger because of me.
Because he thought he needed to prove himself worthy.
“I didn’t ask him to do this,” I said, my voice barely audible.
“It doesn’t matter what you asked!” Emma’s knuckles were white from clenching her fists. “He did it anyway, because he loves you. And now he’s in one of the most dangerous territories, facing rogue wolves who have already massacred an entire settlement!”
I sank back onto the window seat, the weight of this revelation crushing me. My suspicions
had been right–Matthew’s sudden departure was connected to me, to us.
“Emma, I had no idea-”
“Just pray he comes back alive,” she cut me off, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. “Because if anything happens to my brother, I will never forgive you, Celeste Winters. Never.”
With that, she turned and stormed out, bumping into Nina who had just arrived at the doorway. Emma didn’t pause, continuing down the hall without acknowledging Nina’s presence.
“Miss Celeste?” Nina stepped into the room, her silver–gray eyes concerned. “What happened? Emma was crying…”
I looked up at my loyal guard, the only constant in my turbulent life these past years.
“I think she knows more about Matthew’s mission than she’s telling me,” I said quietly. “I need to speak with her again, but not now. Not when emotions are running so high.”
Nina nodded, her wolf sensing my distress. “Do you think Matthew is in danger?”
“Yes,” I admitted, voicing the fear that had been growing inside me since learning of his departure. “And he’s there because of me.”
The weight of that responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders. I would need to speak with Emma again, to learn everything she knew. But for now, I would respect her grief and anger.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to seek answers.
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<Chapter 236: A Sister’s Accus.
+9 Points >
Morning came with no relief from my anxiety. I rose early, hoping to catch Emma before she
began her day. But when I entered the kitchen, I found only Daniel Sterling preparing breakfast.
“Good morning, Celeste,” he greeted me warmly. “You’re up early.”
“I was hoping to speak with Emma,” I replied, accepting the cup of tea he offered.
His expression shifted slightly. “She’s already left for the day. She’s helping at the Moon Silver
Restaurant in Matthew’s place.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. “I understand. When will she return?”
“Not until late,” Daniel sighed. “She’s taken on all of Matthew’s responsibilities while he’s away. Says it’s the least she can do.”
The guilt in my heart grew heavier. Not only was Matthew risking his life, but his absence was
placing additional burdens on his family.
“I’ll try to catch her tomorrow then,” I said.
But tomorrow became the next day, and the next. For ten days, I was unable to speak with
Emma. Each time I attempted to find her, she had either just left or wasn’t expected home for
hours. I couldn’t tell if she was deliberately avoiding me or if her schedule was truly that
demanding.
As the days passed, my anxiety intensified. By my calculations, Matthew would have reached
Northern Ridge territory by now. He would likely have already engaged with the rogue wolves
responsible for massacring the small pack settlement.
On the eleventh day, I could bear the uncertainty no longer.
“Nina,” I called, finding her polishing a silver dagger in the garden. “I’m going to the Moon
Silver Restaurant to find Emma.”
Nina looked up, immediately setting aside her work. “I’ll accompany you, Miss Celeste.”
We arrived at the restaurant in the early afternoon. The Moon Silver Restaurant was one of the
most prestigious establishments in the territory, frequented by high–ranking pack members.
The opulent décor and attentive staff reflected its elite status.
Frank Wilson, the restaurant manager, greeted us at the entrance. He was a middle–aged beta
wolf with an anxious demeanor, always eager to please his wealthy patrons.
“Miss Winters,” he said, bowing slightly. “This is an unexpected honor. How may I assist you?”
“I’m looking for Emma Sterling,” I replied. “I was told she’s working here today.”
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Frank nodded. “Yes, she’s been filling in for her brother. Quite diligently too, I might add. However, she’s not in the kitchen at the moment.”
Before I could ask where she might be, a commotion erupted from upstairs. The sound of breaking glass followed by a loud thud caught everyone’s attention. Nina and I exchanged glances, both recognizing the sounds of a confrontation.
+8 Points >
We hurried toward the staircase, following the noise. As we reached the second floor, we witnessed a startling scene. A young man was sprawled on the floor of the corridor, having apparently been thrown out of one of the private dining rooms. He looked disheveled and
stunned.
“And stay out!” Emma’s voice rang clear from the doorway. “How dare you spread lies about Celeste! She’s going to be my sister–in–law, and I won’t tolerate anyone slandering her in my presence!”
I froze in surprise. Emma was defending me?
The young man scrambled to his feet, his face flushed with humiliation and anger. “You little-
“Every time you insult her,” Emma continued, her eyes flashing dangerously, “I’ll make you regret it. Physically.”
I recognized the young man now. Eric Reynolds, son of the Northern Territory’s Beta. He had a
reputation for arrogance and had apparently crossed paths with Matthew in the past, resulting
in some humiliation he clearly hadn’t forgotten.
“You think you can get away with this?” Eric snarled, adjusting his disheveled clothing. “Do you
know who I am?”
“I know exactly who you are,” Emma retorted, unimpressed. “A coward who picks on kitchen
staff because he’s too afraid to face real wolves.”
Frank Wilson appeared beside me, his face pale with anxiety. “Miss Winters, perhaps you should intervene. Miss Sterling doesn’t understand the politics at play here.”
I nodded, moving forward just as Eric launched into another tirade.
“I’ll have you reported to the pack council!” he threatened. “My father is the Beta of the Northern Territory. He’ll ensure you’re-”
“He’ll ensure what, exactly?” I interrupted, stepping into view.
Eric’s head whipped around, his expression changing from anger to surprise, then back to a
<Chapter 236 A Sister’s Accus
more calculated anger.
“Celeste Winters,” he sneered. “What a coincidence.”
+3 Points >
“Not really,” I replied coolly. “I came to see Emma. Though I didn’t expect to find her defending my honor.”
Emma’s eyes widened at my appearance. A blush crept across her cheeks, and she looked suddenly uncomfortable, as if I’d caught her in a private moment.
I turned my attention back to Eric. “It seems quite ironic that you’re harassing Matthew Sterling’s family while he risks his life on a mission for the Alpha King.”
Eric’s jaw tightened. “That’s none of my concern.”
“No?” I raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps I should make it the Alpha King’s concern how the son of the Northern Territory’s Beta spends his time. Or should I mention how your father has been skimming silver from the territory’s traders? I’m sure that would make for interesting
conversation at the next council meeting.”
Eric blanched. He hadn’t expected me to know about his father’s corrupt practices.
“You’re bluffing,” he said, but without conviction.
“Am I?” I stepped closer. “Test me and find out.”
Eric glanced between Emma and me, realizing he was now doubly humiliated–once by Emma’s physical rejection and again by my verbal threat.
“You think you’re so important,” he spat. “But you’re nothing. Just a disgraced daughter of the Winter Pack playing at being worthy of a mate. Do you really think Matthew Sterling will mark you? A wolf who couldn’t even maintain her place in her own pack?”
Before I could respond, Emma moved with surprising speed. Her foot connected with Eric’s knee, sending him crashing to the floor again.
“I told you what would happen if you insulted her again,” she growled, standing over him.
Eric glared up at us, his humiliation complete. But instead of retreating, a cruel smile spread across his face.
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” he said, his voice dripping with spite. “Celeste will never mate with Matthew Sterling.”
“And why is that?” I asked, my tone dangerously calm.
Eric’s smile widened. “Because he’s dead.”
