CELESTE POVTWO DAYS LATER“You fight like a girl!” “I am a girl!”I muttered, barely dodging the attack coming my way. I had decided to participate in the training after much deliberation and encouragement from Seth. He'd believed I'd fare better while in the training centre. Also, the last attack had made me almost lose a limb.So, he wanted to teach me how to defend myself, and here I was—in the training ground, sparring with him.He wasn't as lenient as I had thought him to be. It was my first time in the training ground. I was barely getting the hang of things, so he should be patient with me rather than he acting like I was a veteran of some kind, who knew all skills and he wasn't holding back because he was afraid I'd pull out a nasty trick from the pocket of the leggings I was wearing and used it to beat him.“You catching up?” he said as I once again dodged another attack from him.I snorted. I had fallen on my butt ten times today and had almost done so just now but here he
DAMON“The Alpha has gone berserker!”“Did you see what happened today in the training ground? I've got juicy gossip for you.”My ears twitched as I caught on to some of the things the members were saying. Well, the maids. They were mostly the gossip mongers because no high rank lycan with something to do would idle away in that manner. This was the tenth time I was hearing them speak and gossiping about me. And I doubted it would be the last.It was about her. Celeste.My gaze shifted to the bed where she still laid unmoving. It was my fault.If I hadn't pushed her. She would be awake. Smiling even or trying to avoid me.I groaned. I never wanted to do that. But the reason I had done so, I couldn't tell.Shoving a hand through my hair, I ruffled it, looking at the seer and Elder Zara and John that was standing at the room’s corner discussing in a hush voice.I wouldn't be surprised if they began to gossip about me now. But I could hear all that they were discussing about. It was sti
CELESTE POVThe air was thick with the scent of wood smoke, damp earth, and the metallic tang of blood from injured omegas, beaten and wounded because they failed to complete their work.It wasn't something new in the Blood Moon Packhouse. It was a known fact that if you didn't get to finish the work that was given to you at the designated time, you'd be seeking a death sentence.No one ever disobeys the alpha's wishes. The alpha and others were higher in status than the omega.My name was Celeste Ravaryn, twenty-two years old, born an omega, and the daughter of a disgraced warrior who was executed for betraying the pack house. I witnessed his death at the age of fourteen. The Alpha had ordered for him to be whipped fifty times, even after being unconscious from being forced to drink five bottles of whiskey. After that, he was beheaded, and his head was placed on a wooden stake for everyone to see and mock.Betrayal in the Blood Moon Packhouse wasn't something to be taken lightly; henc
CELESTE POVI had always fantasized about today in my twenty-two years of existence. When I'd finally get to see my mate. He wouldn't hesitate to accept me and love me regardless of being at the bottom of the rank.I had thought a feast would be thrown, especially if he was of a higher rank than I was, and he'd parade me around the pack house, declaring how fortunate he was to have me as his mate.But I guessed I was being delusional.I didn't expect to see disgust on his face either.The feeling from before instantly vanished leaving behind fear and confusion.Alpha Kieran scowled, moving three steps away from me like I was some kind of filth he didn’t want to get close to. Then he turned back to me again."You called for me," I stuttered as he said nothing."Why did you call me mate?" he asked me.I shook my head. I didn't know what to say. Why else would I call him that if he wasn't my mate? Wasn't that obvious?He was concerned about me calling him mate, while I was concerned about
CELESTE POVTWO DAYS LATERI knew this would happen again.I last was here two nights ago, after the Luna selection event. I had sworn to myself that I wouldn't come. That I wouldn't let him do what he did to me the last time again, but here I was."Know your place, Omega. " His voice was a whisper, cruel and soft in my ear. No one will ever want you for more than this. Be grateful that an Alpha like me took an interest in you."My body trembled, betraying me as Alpha Kieran towered over me; his scent, a dangerous mix of cedar, smoke, and a little cinnamon invaded my nostrils.My toes curled and uncurled in the worn ballet flat they were in, and I stared at my broken nails, resisting the urge to bring them to my teeth and chew on them until they became nonexistent.I swallowed hard as the back of my leg hit the edge of the massive bed."Look at me," Alpha Kieran ordered. Instantly, my head snapped up, and I stared at him in the eyes."What did I say about calling me mate?" he asked me
CELESTE POVI forcefully pushed back the nausea that rose up my throat, pressing my palm tightly over my mouth while my eyes frantically searched around for a trashcan to throw up in case the vomit was stubborn and didn't subside.I stumbled towards the bench in front of the large infirmary; sitting on it, I glanced down at myself.My stomach in particular.I was pregnant. The doctor had confirmed it. Even though I had confirmed it first with a pregnancy test kit, I wanted to be sure; hence, I visited the pack's doctor, and he suggested doing a urine and blood test.I was indeed pregnant. Doctor Raphael wouldn't lie. He had been the main doctor of the pack house for as long as I could remember. So, there was no way he'd falsify the result.Swallowing hard, I pressed a hand to my still-flat stomach while many questions swirled around in my head.Do I want this baby? What would the pack house think of me? An omega having no mate yet pregnant with a child?No one would want to hear my sto
CELESTE POV"Treason? What?!"I gasped as I was forcefully pulled from the ground by the guards that Alpha Kieran had ordered to cease me."I swear, I did nothing." I tried to defend myself while struggling with their firm grip, but not even one person was listening to me.I kicked the air, gritting my teeth as I looked at Selene, wrapped up in Alpha Kieran's arm.Selene's gaze met mine, and a small smile formed on her face. She was enjoying this. Indeed, she would because she was going to be Alpha Kieran's mate. He was going to mark her in my stead, and for some reason, she hated me.We had never had a real interaction before except for that one time she came around while I was cleaning the alpha's estate, and she started ordering me around as if she were my boss.I had never objected to her making me do things because we were born to serve the ones above us. The omegas had no say in their life except you were somewhat lucky that one of your parents attained the status of being part o
CELESTE POVI was pulled out of the elder chamber by the guards, my hands bound with silver shackles, and so were my legs.The crowds followed me back outside, cursing and yelling at the top of their voices.While I kept walking with my head down. I didn't know where they were taking me to. Perhaps I should burn off my pack house mark first, making me an outcast, Elder Morgana had said, before punishing me as they deemed fit.I wondered if I'd be executed like my father. Forced to gulp down whiskey, and while I was intoxicated, my head would be severed from my body.That would be dangerous to me and my baby, but it might be the easiest way to die. At least I wouldn't feel any pain while they were at it.Yet, I still believed this was a dream. I wanted to wake up from the horrible dream, letting out a relieved breath that it was just a nightmare and nothing serious. But the pain from the silver shackle burning through my skin reminded me everything that was happening was real."Walk fas
DAMON“The Alpha has gone berserker!”“Did you see what happened today in the training ground? I've got juicy gossip for you.”My ears twitched as I caught on to some of the things the members were saying. Well, the maids. They were mostly the gossip mongers because no high rank lycan with something to do would idle away in that manner. This was the tenth time I was hearing them speak and gossiping about me. And I doubted it would be the last.It was about her. Celeste.My gaze shifted to the bed where she still laid unmoving. It was my fault.If I hadn't pushed her. She would be awake. Smiling even or trying to avoid me.I groaned. I never wanted to do that. But the reason I had done so, I couldn't tell.Shoving a hand through my hair, I ruffled it, looking at the seer and Elder Zara and John that was standing at the room’s corner discussing in a hush voice.I wouldn't be surprised if they began to gossip about me now. But I could hear all that they were discussing about. It was sti
CELESTE POVTWO DAYS LATER“You fight like a girl!” “I am a girl!”I muttered, barely dodging the attack coming my way. I had decided to participate in the training after much deliberation and encouragement from Seth. He'd believed I'd fare better while in the training centre. Also, the last attack had made me almost lose a limb.So, he wanted to teach me how to defend myself, and here I was—in the training ground, sparring with him.He wasn't as lenient as I had thought him to be. It was my first time in the training ground. I was barely getting the hang of things, so he should be patient with me rather than he acting like I was a veteran of some kind, who knew all skills and he wasn't holding back because he was afraid I'd pull out a nasty trick from the pocket of the leggings I was wearing and used it to beat him.“You catching up?” he said as I once again dodged another attack from him.I snorted. I had fallen on my butt ten times today and had almost done so just now but here he
CELESTE POVI returned to the room with Damon.My sobbing had long stopped, and he said there was no reason for me to return to the infirmary since I was fine and barely needed any medical attention.I was glad I didn't return there either. I didn't think I'd be able to hold myself. The dead child was still in there. The mother fainted, and they were still trying to revive her.My appearance there wouldn't make anything feel better either.“Coffee or tea?” Damon asked as he stepped into the room.I looked at the tray he was carrying, which held steaming cups.“Any,” I whispered. However, I was a coffee lover. At this moment, I didn't feel like making a choice.I just wanted to be offered anything.“Coffee is more suitable. Keeps you alert. I brought along cream and sugar cubes. I didn't add them because I don't know if you like it black or not.” She pushed the small coffee table to where I was seated on the couch.“Thanks,” I whispered. I added the coffee cream generously and two suga
CELESTE POVMy name is Nyra. I am you and you are me.“You need to let me out!”I gasped, coming awake with a jolt. My heart thumped, and the prickling sensation at the side of my head persisted.Opening my eyes to see my environment clearly, I heaved a breath as I saw I was in the infirmary.Damon wasn't here. But Seth and Hanna were.“You're awake, thank goodness,” Seth answered. He and Hanna came towards my bedside. While Hanna sat on the small chair next to the bedside table, Seth leaned on the wall.“Do you remember what happened? You hit your head pretty badly, and I am afraid you must be suffering from a concussion now. Although Sabrina assured me it was unlikely.”“I hit my head?” I could have sworn that Damon caught me trying to prevent that from happening.“Do you remember?” he asked again.I did remember. From when the boy had shifted and charged at me to when I panicked and felt something strange inside of me. The strange feelings that remained.Although it has now decreas
CELESTE POVTWO DAYS LATERIt had been two days since I last saw Damon and two days since his declaration was made. My head still reeled from it. Also, two days that my life wasn't mine anymore.Not only did Damon make sure a guard was stationed in front of my door, but I could barely take a walk without seeing one following me from behind.Other girls might have loved it. Savoured every second they got to stay in this pack house, and the fact that they had the alpha’s attention was a bonus.He was single and considered the most eligible bachelor in the area. Every girl would be living their dream if they were in my shoes. But I wasn't every girl.I was Celeste. And I wouldn't say I liked what was happening one bit. My space was evaded, and I could barely have a clear thought as an unsuspecting guard could pop out of nowhere unannounced, thereby ruining my day.That wasn't the only thing. Every escape plan I had in mind was void now. I didn't see myself leaving here anytime soon becau
CELESTE POVDamon tugged at his tie as he stepped into the room. Pushing a hand into his already disheveled hair, he walked to his desk.I observed him from my seat. I had returned to the room after Damon had sent me off. I shouldn't have, but I couldn't stay alone either.The feelings I had earlier had returned. Even worse than before. But staying in this room made me feel a lot better.Damon puffed out a breath, pushing a hand through his hair again. He tugged at it, letting out an exasperated sigh, turning to me with a scowl forming on his face.“Why did you do that?”I said nothing.“I asked you a question, Celeste,” he let out a grunt.“Do what?” I muttered.“You left the fucking room making me all worried about you!” He snapped. “Do you know how annoying that was?”I frowned. “I only took a walk outside the room as it was suffocating already. Besides, you shouldn't worry about me. We are nothing. I don't understand why you'll get mad at me for that.”“A walk?” Damon grunted, wal
CELESTE POVI should listen to Damon once in a while. Or even Hanna. At least they had been trying to make me stay indoors, but I was too stubborn to listen.Now that I was outside, I barely found any meaning in my being here. Yes, we walked around where some construction was going on, but I didn't feel the vibes that I expected to feel. They were cold and barely even responded to Hanna’s greetings. Even though Hanna said they were that way most times, snubs, I didn't think it was the truth. I wanted to believe it was due to my presence. They had been conversing joyfully. I had heard them before arriving here, but as soon as I did, the atmosphere seemed to have shifted.“Out of my way,” someone growled from behind, and I was able to jump out of the way on time as a van sped by. While it almost rammed into Hanna.“What the hell?” She shouted at the top of her lungs. “This isn't even a road!”She was right. We were off the road and at a safe spot. Yet, I couldn't understand why the ca
CELESTE POVDamon returned to the room a while later, causing me to wake from the slumber I had been in.I watched as he paced around the room, muttering nonstop. I could barely pick out a word and he looked overly pissed.I couldn't tell who had vexed him, but it must have been someone around the pack house.He stopped pacing to look at me. It was a quick look, then I saw the determined look that crossed his face. He began to walk to the door without saying a word to me.“It's scary when you look at me like that. As if there's something you're about to do, and I'm sure as hell aware it wouldn't be favorable.Damon said nothing. He reached the door, stopping, and he turned to me. “Don't leave the room, or I'll ask you to do so.”“Why not?” I raised a brow at him. “Why would you want to keep me in your room?”“Is it so hard for you to obey such a simple instruction?” He retorted.“I'll obey when it is not me being confined to a place. Besides, why should I do as you say to me? I am no
CELESTE POVWho are you?The voice was still inside my head.“I told you before, Celeste. My name is Nyra. And I am you. You are me.”“Now is not the time to ask questions because you need to return. It's not your time to die yet.”I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. I could only hear the sound of machines humming and people murmuring.I tried to open my heavy-lidded eyes, but the more I tried, the more painful it was. The great thing was that I could move my hands, but I couldn't turn to my side.A sharp pain pierced through me immediately after I did that.“Somebody, help me.” My voice was weak, and I doubt anyone was hearing me.“Please,” I tried again, and this time, I heard her voice.Sabrina.“She's awake,” Sabrina announced.Was I?I still felt like I was wherever I was.“Give her a brief minute to come awake. She need not be forced.” Another voice I didn’t recognize said.Eventually, I managed to open my eyes. The first thing I saw was a head hovering over min