193CeleneI stared down at the wetness on my finger, the scent of blood hit me, sharp and metallic.The blood dripped freely down his nose, despite his fingers reaching out to stop the flow.Why was this happening? A feeling of dread settled over me like a blanket as different scenarios flashed through my mind I wondered what was going to happen to my mate.“Mondrian!” I reached out to him, guiding him into a sitting position, and lifting his chin, I pushed his fingers away from plugging the nose. “You’re bleeding. Why? What happened to you? Are you hurt?”He blinked, startled by my urgency, and immediately tried to lessen the fear, he smiled, dropping his chin, “It's nothing. It's just a nosebleed. I'll heal.”I raised his chin, eyeing him closely there was something about the way he said it. It felt too generic almost guilty. The hair at my nape rose, panic settling in“It's not nothing,” I snapped, reaching for his face, “You are bleeding through your nose. Why? This doesn't make
192ChristoffI stared at the steaming black potion before me, the scent pungent and thick in the air. My fingers clenched as I watched the shaman swirl the potion until it glistened under the dull lights, my jaw locked as the silence stretched. “When would it be ready?” I asked, my patience wearing thin. The brew bubbled like it had a pulse of its own, and the supposed shaman shuddered under my watchful gaze.“Soon Alpha .” He whispered, his fingers shaking. This would be the thousand times a new potion is made, and failed. I was beginning to believe that no potion would ever heal this ugly scar.Before I could speak up the door creaked open, and a young soldier stumbled in.“Alpha,” he saluted, his voice tight with nerves. “The ambush.”“How was it? Successful I hope?” I asked barely looking up from the swirling mass “I need some good news.”The soldier shuffled against his feet, avoiding my gaze, “I apologize alpha I fear it isn't. The ambush didn't go as planned. Alpha Daniel es
191CeleneElla's teary words rang through the hall. Her shoulders shook with every nerve-wreaking sob, her fingers knitted together in a plea.“It might not mean much, but I am sorry. I apologize for everything my mother has done to you. For everything I've done to you. I deserve to die.”I froze, my gaze flashed to meet her tear-streaked face, but she continued “My mother….No, Valerie, was a monster even to me her child. She was cruel and selfish. I don't know why I let her use me for so long why I yearned for her love.” She wheezed, her tears streaming down her face.I didn't know what to say, there was nothing to say. I understood her need for acceptance, her need to be loved, who was I to fault her for that? What I wouldn't accept was her actions towards me and those I loved but before I could tear into her she added, wiping her tears, “I know you didn't kill her.”I crossed my arms, “How would you know that? I killed her, ripped her apart.” Ella seemed to have gotten a hold of
190CeleneThe moment my brain registered that it was indeed Ella standing in front of me and not some twisted imagination from the depths of hell my breath caught in my throat, and my vision narrowed as rage pure and unfiltered hit me like wildfire. I didn’t think, I couldn't, I lunged.“You!” I snarled, sidestepping Mondrians hold “What are you doing here? What do you want? Haven't you had enough? Will you only be happy until you see me and everything I love dead?”“Celene, No” Mondrian strong arms weaved around my hips pulling me back. “No, let me go.” I cried, struggling against him, my arms outstretched into claws, swiping at the woman before me.Ella doesn't react to my words, her back pressed against the wall, as she backs away, her hands raised in mock surrender.“You've got it all wrong,” Mondrian continued refusing to back down, “Celene…she's not—”I swirled towards him, “You are defending her?” Stunned by his words, the anger I felt mixed with a now blooming hurt, and my v
189Celene The almost empty room grew silent at my outburst.With Christoff's erratic action, Mondrian had been forced to cut his healing time early and Alex had followed him for support, leaving me in Zara and Arlen's care. Arlen stood from where he sat, an arm raised in his bid to keep the peace.“Princess Celene please calm down. Zara meant well–”“I know she did. That's what makes it more painful.” I spat, cutting him off, “She might mean well but she doesn't understand.”Zara flinched, “That's not fair, Celene. I might not understand what you are currently going through. But your father is an Alpha. It is his job to protect his people. His actions might seem silly but it is quite dependable.”“Dependable?” I spat, eyeing her from the corner of my eyes, “When he is dead and gone, will be dependable save him? Will it save his so-called pack?”The green-eyed beauty sighed, “You know I'm right Celene. It might not account for much but what your father is doing. Is something to be p
188CeleneMondrian's splattered kisses from my lips down to my collarbone, each kiss hot and searing, burned my skin until I grew breathless.I wanted more, needed more. With a soft moan, I arched my back, and tilted my head, providing him with access to my nape.He growled in appreciation his hot breath grazing the little point between my neck and my back, his strong fingers glided down my shoulders, tugging at the fabric of my shirt.My fingers slid upward to find him, clasping it tightly, “Mondrian?” My voice, barely above a whisper, sounded breathless even to my ears.“I love it when you call my name” he muttered into my ears, then pulled me closer until my backside fitted into his length, “tell me what you want, kitten. Call my name.”“Mondrian,” I moaned, squeezing my legs as I felt a warmth pool between them.“Please…” I begged, unable to put my yearning into words. I've waited for this day for so long, for his lips on mine, his hands around me, pulling me in. I couldn't think