64 Mondrian “Why couldn't we just disappear to white fire Alpha?” A very disgruntled Arlen complained, “You can't tell me it's because of the princess. You are the king of the Lycan and every pack, I might be full but one thing I can't ever forget is your immense powers, using your spatial magic you could easily warp four…no ten Celene's such a meager amount would be nothing to you.” I rolled my eyes at his argument, a topic he was fixated on after an hour of driving, his complaint was the car being too slow and his growing boredom. Ignoring him I focus on my breathing trying to block him out. Unwilling to back down, Arlen grew restless and he turned to face me, and whined “Alpha. This is getting us nowhere. Don't you want to get Celene home faster I'm sure if we use my method we could be home before lunch.” I let out a sigh, adjusting the person of his arguments before I turned towards him, “ Eyes on the road young man. Just because we easily heal doesn't mean we can put others
65Mondrian“Please please don't… I'll speak…I'll tell you everything!” The last of the hired men screamed as Arlen pulled out his nails faster than he could grow them out, making me smirk.“Why the change of attitude though a few minutes ago you wanted me and mine dead?” I drawled leaning into the squishy seat beneath me.“Please I'm so sorry. I was stupid, it was reckless of me. Please just this once” his head smacked on the granite road, “ Be the bigger person and let me go I beg of you Alpha. I'm willing to tell you everything.”Arlen paused his actions turning to me with a blood-splashed face and a wide smile, “Boss?”I frowned at the sight, as I finally stood, walking away from the semi-mountain of corpses I had been sitting on, giving him a signal Arlen pouted before stepping aside with a small sigh. I strolled towards the wounded man and leaned towards him taking pleasure as he shrunk back in fear.“Who are you? Who sent you?”His throat danced as it struggled to swallow, “I.
66MondrianThe sun slowly fell, setting the sky ablaze with a vibrant hue of orange and purple with it came a wonderful breeze teasing the people with a hint of rich petrichore. Anyone who looked up at this time would have one thought running through their mind. ‘What a time to be alive’.It was a good one, better than any I've ever felt since I went to the purple pack, all except for the part where I mate her—Celene my mate.Looking down at the unconscious woman in my arms, I sighed. If only she could see this view. Her first look to what would become her home(hopefully) forever.I turned my gaze towards the people who had come to welcome me back, a small smile gracing my lips to assure them that I was happy for the warm welcome and if at all to wipe their look of worry.Before I could assure them with words a sharp squeak drew my attention. I winced at the familiar scent of warm hazelnut drawing closer with every step. “Alpha Mondrian, your Humbled servant Pecan welcomes you.”Ben
67 Celene I jolt awake, to the sound of buzzing in my ears. Without thinking I fly out of the bed, which seemed too soft to be mine, Instead of the hardwood I am used to I fall head first into soft—too soft— rug, the softest and comfiest I have ever felt. If I wasn't so confused I might have taken a few more minutes to reveal its softness. The buzzing continued, as a blistering headache held me down in a chokehold, I squinted my eyes in the hope of catching a glimpse of my location. “Where am I ?” I whispered sharply to no one in particular. My jaw dropped as the room slowly came into focus. Persian curtains. Soft cloudy rugs thick enough to act as a bed. Dark green-colored walls were accentuated in what looked to be gold. Shit It is gold. I jumped back from the wall as though I had touched fire, my headache long forgotten as my eyes widened to take in the breathtaking view that was the room. Was this even a room, the space seemed to have no end as it expanded on both sides
68 Mondrian The sound of my beating heart grew louder, while I watched her sleep. My eyes ran through every inch of her soaking in every image I could quickly capture from her swollen eyes from her crying to her swollen lips I had taken. My heart squeezed in a painful lurch at the thought that she believed she was cursed and the reason for every bad thing to ever happen in her pack, my fist clenched holding myself back from warping to the purple pack and destroying everything. Celene wouldn't like that. The pain slightly lessened as I realized she was here now. With me. I would make sure she never felt that way ever again. As I rose from the cushioned chair, where I watched Her pale skin shine brightly on top of my dark velvet sheets, She seemed to fit the aesthetic of my room as though she belonged. Of course, she did. She was my mate after all. With a gentle flick of the duvet, she was covered fully. Celene turned as if disturbed before sinking into the soft mattress. Walking
69 Celene For the second time, I woke up with a jolt, this time around I quickly calmed down knowing I was safe. A warmth of rush gushed in me at the thought of Mondrian taking care of me. Picking up the cover spread I sniff hoping to catch a whiff of Mondrian. I get my wish, the heady scent of freshly made coffee envelopes me in a soft hug, and my wolf purred at the thought. I gasped as images of Mondrian and I flooded my mind, each in different positions. I had never had sex, and despite having dated Christoff nothing ever happened between us, I wanted to wait and Christof had agreed. I should have known he was up to no-go when he did. I push the thought of him to the back of my mind, Mondrian image pops up, and the thought of his tear-soaked chest, the warmth I felt in his hand the the electrifying feel of his touch. Since finding out he was my mate, the feeling of arousal I usually felt around him had doubled. With the sudden opening of the door, I chuckled the cover cloth
70 Celene Just as I was about to stumble under the wave of dizziness, a hand shot out, firm, steadying me before I could fall flat on my face in front of Pecan's mocking eyes. “Whoa, Careful there,” the light, teasing voice said. I blinked, turning to see a girl who looked to be around my age, her bright green eyes framed by a halo of wild fiery red hair tied into a messy bun. The girl holding me up had an easy grin, one that somehow managed to calm me. "Are you all right?" she asked, her gaze flicking to Pecan briefly before looking back at me. I—uh, yes. I’m fine,” I stammered, though my legs were still shaky. She gave a short nod but didn't release me her grip remained steady, and I couldn’t help but lean into her support slightly. Her presence felt so natural and familiar that it threw me off, before I could ask about it, Pecan’s icy voice cut through the moment. "I don’t recall inviting you into this conversation, Zara." She crossed her arms, her lips curling into a snee
71 Mondrian The sound of hurried footsteps resounded around the empty hallway, I hurried out of the office with Thoughts of Celene, I had been so focused on work, that I had forgotten to check up on her. I didn't know if she had eaten or would be too scared to leave my room. My heart ached at the thought of her locking herself in the room, unwilling to reach out. “How could I have been so stupid.” I rasped, breaking into a jog, “Nice job setting the blocking magic Mondrian. We could have been out of here in like. What? a minute? But no you had to go and be responsible.” I admit setting the block magic to prevent rowdy pack members from infiltrating the office has been a good idea, but at this moment I found myself hating Ale for thinking about it and myself for accepting the bloody idea. Ignoring the thud of the wooden door, dividing the dining area from the eastern hall, which leads to my office, free of the warding magic I prep myself to warp into the room. “About damn time.”
101 Celene The thoughts of the previous night kept replaying in my head, couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my mind. Mondrian walked away from me, his face a myriad of emotions that I could place, walking away from me after that hug that left me wanting him to stay, yet too embarrassed to do anything. What was that all about? It wasn’t like him to act so cold, Mondrian always made sure to savor every single moment of our time together. That hug should have lasted for quite a while before breaking it with a kiss. Although I tried not to think too deeply about his actions, I couldn't help but feel his walking away had to do with the promise he had made to me. Did he not want to do it or was he having second doubts? The thought ate at me all night. Twisting and turning in bed all night, pulling the blanket tighter, then throwing it off entirely. Sleep eluded me no matter what I did or how hard I tried. My mind kept circling back to him— his expression, him walking out without so
100 Mondrian I stepped into my office to find Alex my beta and best friend waiting for me, his arms folded and his face set in his usual calm and unreadable expression. Although It was his usual look, but something about it annoyed me. Maybe it was the tension in the air, or maybe it was the way my own guilt over Celene—walking away from her—still clung to me like a heavy cloak. Either way, I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. “Alex,” I greeted curtly, nodding as I took my seat at the head of the desk. "Alpha," he responded, his tone even, but I caught the flicker of Amusement in his eyes. He knew something. Before I could say anything more, Arlen walked in, his boots clicking against the floor as he joined us. His young face showed none of the excitement he usually eluded instead the shadows under his eyes and the way he sighed told a different tale. It was not surprising, considering the mission I’d sent him on. "Arlen," I said, leaning forward. "Any News young one? Are t
99 Mondrian “What the heck was that?” Zara’s sharp voice followed me as I turned towards the stairs leading to my office. “Do you even realize how harsh you were?” she asked, walking in tandem with me, arms placed hastily on her hips. I stopped mid-step and turned to her, my jaw tightening. “I was harsh for a good reason.” My voice was cold and fiand rm, Zara’s eyes held mine, “She disobeyed me, Zara. She could’ve gotten hurt or worse.” “She didn’t, though,” she countered, her voice calm but firm, her arms crossed across her chest. “And yelling at her like that isn’t going to make her listen to you. If anything, you’re just going to push her further away. I thought you wanted her to fall for you. This isn't the way Mondrian.” Her words hit me like a blow to the chest. I hated to admit it, but she was right. The look on Celene’s, face when I had scolded her—hurt, betrayed, and shocked kept replaying in my mind. It made me feel sick to my stomach. The thought of Celene shifting
98 Celene I stared at her, my hand still raised, my chest heaving. The energy I’d felt when I had merged with Alera surged through me, I could feel the electric tension as my hands trembled from the rush. What the heck was that? My mind whirling as It struggled to process what had just happened. Pecan’s stunned face didn't change as she stared at me, and I couldn’t shake the image of her flying. Albeit satisfying that should have been impossible, I shouldn't be able to do that…not with Pecan who had a place in Mondrian's army, rumors about her slaying mountains of men had welcomed me on my very first day, despite her nasty attitude, she was someone Mondrian had acknowledged and I had thrown her with a flick of my wrist. The hallway grew eerily silent, for a second it all felt like a dream, but my heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears telling a different tale. Then, out of nowhere, Zara appeared, her face full of worry as she hurried toward me. “What happened? I heard a scream,” s
97 Celene I woke up to find Mondrian sitting by my bed, his head in his hands. His shoulders looked heavy like he was carrying the weight of the world. The dim light of the room made his dark hair gleam, and his expression, when he finally glanced up at me, was nothing short of pained. My heart skipped at his forlorn expression. “Mondrian?” My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. My throat burning, and everything felt… off—dull. Still, I reached out to him “What’s wrong?” He exhaled slowly like he was relieved just to hear me speak. “Celene,” he said, his voice soft but laced with tension. “You’re awake. I'm glad.” But his expression still didn't change. “Of course I’m awake,” I said, frowning, as a soft groan escaped My lips. My head was pounding, and my memories were foggy. Before I could ask what had happened, a single memory turned sharp in my mind, and it made my heart leap, excitement fueled my voice looking towards him “I turned! Didn’t I?” His face fell fur
96 Mondrian “Why would you say that, Mondrian?” The voice startled me. In the chaos of trying to save Celene and then battling Maria's words, I had forgotten about the people around me. I turned around, and there he was, glaring at me like I’d just committed some sort of crime. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his expression was sharp a far cry from his usual expressionless face. “You think this is your fault?” he demanded, his voice harsh. “Celene turning and then her fever? You think you’re the reason she’s like this?” I didn’t say anything for a moment. How could I explain? He wouldn’t understand. “If I had been paying a little bit of attention, I would’ve noticed something was wrong,” I finally said, my voice quiet but firm. “if only I wasn't so selfish…I could’ve done something to stop it.” Alex shook his head, frustrated. “Stop it? Stop what, Mondrian? The fever? The turning? What exactly?” His voice rises with every question, “Celene is an adult, she can make h
95 Mondrian “Aren't you in love with Celene?” Zara's words replay in my head on a continuous loop, her words hit me like a punch to the guys, her eyes boring into mine as she stared at me with a look of assuredness. She followed up by stating her efforts towards bringing I and celene together. I had been too shocked to defend myself, too unsure of what was in store for me, I could only stutter, Zara had looked at me with a face tinged with a shock that I hadn't realized before patting my shoulder urging me to think about my next steps before leaving me to my thoughts, with a simple excuse. Too shocked to function I walked back into the room, and her pale unconscious face came into view. Was I in love with Celene? Had I been very obvious in my interest in her? Did Celene like me too? The thoughts ricochet around my mind, mixing in with my feelings of worry towards Celene, until it becomes a giant pile of nerves. With a huff, I fall back on the bed. “What am I doing?” I muttere
94 Mondrian “Celene!” Horror overwhelms me watching her wolf fall in slow motion after finally turning puts my heart in reverse, catching her fall, I pull her into my arms, “What's wrong with you Celene?” She doesn't respond. She had fallen unconscious. This was all my fault, I had no one else to blame, I should have stopped her when she wanted to try again, and I should have been more strict. Despite her being unconscious, her body begins the painful process of turning human. I winced at every crack, her weak body made even when she didn't acknowledge them. Pilling her close to my chest I waited out the turning process murmuring sweet meaningless nothings, while I prayed for it all to be over. At the last pop, I pull off my jacket to cover her semi-naked body, she had been in her underwear during the transformation, and she had feared ruining the sportswear she had walked in with. Her body flushed red from the pain and soaked with sweat, glistened under the sweltering sun. With
93 Celene My talk with Zara put my thoughts in line. To learn more information about my history I needed to ask my father, which I couldn't do on my own, so another goal was created— I needed to overpower Luna Valerie and my father to become strong enough so they respect me. To do so I needed power— more than I already had. Which could only be gotten if I learned to turn, the history book clearly stated the silver wolfs were blessed with powers, and even Alera could confirm, but for some odd reason she couldn't unlock it. Further solidifying my reasons to become stronger, I needed a teacher. I need Mondrian. There was no one more fitting of the role other than Alpha Mondrian. He understood my problem and wanted to help, moreover, I was comfortable a bit with him. I held my breath, my hands growing sweaty, waiting for him to give me an answer. His deep grey eyes bore into mine, holding me in place, “Are you sure Celene? I thought we agreed you should take things slow.” He asked,