FORTY-TWO

"I am sorry." I waved off Celeste's apologies.

She cried and cried and I felt there was more to her tears than she let me see but someone came to prepare my bath soon.

A small omega with kind eyes knocked on the door and when I opened up, she jumped back. Relief crossed her face when she didn't see Valens anywhere in the room.

"The alpha is scary. Oh lord." She fanned herself. "When he came with Astrid to my room, I thought I was about to be banished." The girl talked a lot and her voice was calming, helping me get my mind off the bad memories I had to revisit for Celeste.

"Umm, I think I'll go." Celeste picked up her purse with her red eyes and tear-stained face.

"It's okay. I'm fine now." I hugged her. "Thank you for visiting. Maybe we can get something to eat tomorrow?"

"Thank you. That'll be nice." She squeezed me before she left with a watery smile.

"You smell fresh," the omega who prepared my bath said. She leaned into me, making a hand gesture as if blowing my scent into her no