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
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
CHAPTER 1 - THE PAINFUL BETRAYAL Celene's POV The cold splash of water on my skin jolted me awake. I sat up with a gasp, my heart racing, as I frantically wiped the cold droplets from my face. And that's when I saw her, Ella, standing over me with a wicked grin, the empty glass still clutched in her hand. "What do you think you're doing?" I hollered angrily. She sneered in derision. "It's quite irrational to scream like a lunatic so early in the morning. Don't you think so?" I exhaled slowly. "Get out of my room, now!" She raised an eyebrow. "Your room?" She said this as she moved closer to me. "Okay, let's see how cocky you can get when you get wheeled out of the pack today!" Suddenly, I caught a whiff of her musky scent. Only it wasn't her usual scent. I sniffed again, and this time, the scent was more pronounced. In the whole Violet pack, only one person had this scent. My boyfriend, Christoph! Why did my bitchy stepsister have his scent all over her? My gaze darkened a
Chapter 2Celene's POVThe tears that I had been holding back since spilt out with full force as I stood riveted to a spit, watching him quickly step into a pair of trousers."Celene, you have to calm down. It was only---""What are you doing in the pack?" My voice was surprisingly calm."I can explain, Cel. It's not what it looks like.""It's not what it looks like? I just saw you banging on another girl. My sister!" I choked back another anguished sob, hating how weak and pitiful I sounded. I hated that he had brought me to these depths of humiliation after all the lonely, hopeful months I had waited for his return."I was going to tell you, but..." he trailed off, biting into his lips."But you didn't." My voice broke out as I wiped the corners of my eyes. "You sneaked into the pack to bang my sister; how could you do this to me? You promised to never hurt me!"He conceded with his fist. "Listen, Celene. I promise it will never repeat itself." He reached out to touch me."Don't yo
Chapter 3 Celene's POV They dragged me into the judgement hall, and I realised a couple of pack members, the judgement council, and Dad Valerie were already gathered there. They all had accusatory and judging expressions as they cast sidelong glances at me. The guards asked me to kneel. "Dad, what's going on?" I yelled, frustration getting the best part of me. He didn't even bother answering me as he faced the people present. "Today, I lost my second daughter, Ella!" I let out a gasp. "What? How's that even possible!?" The judgement room sprang into life with whisperings and chatter. A needle-like pain was stabbing at my knees, and I felt like every ounce of strength in my body was being snapped out. "We are trying to find out who..." "She did it!" Leslie cut him off coldly, pointing accusing fingers at me. "This cold-blooded runt killed my daughter in the woods. We have all the evidence on her, and now she has to pay with her life!" Her words held so much weight that they
Chapter 4Celene's POVI could feel perspiration rivering down my back as I glimpsed the menance in his eyes. He looked like he was about to explode soon. And was it just me, or did he just say I belonged to him?They scuttled around and got the chains off me, shivering with fear as they avoided him."Alpha Mondrian, how did—how did you find Ella?" Valerie stuttered.He sneered. "You know, for some moment, I almost assumed you tried to kill your own daughter!" He paused as everyone gasped in shock, and a scowl appeared on Valerie's face."I was just kidding!" He laughed, low and husky. "She was caught in the trap your pack warriors set out for rogues. I saved her."Valerie gritted her teeth as she managed a tight smile. "Thank you so much. Uhm... We are sorry for putting you through so much trouble. The judgement is hereby cancelled." She announced.Mondrian suddenly held his hand up. "No!" He shook his head. "That wasn't exactly the way I imagined you would say it. You should apologi
Chapter 5Celene's POVI shuddered slightly, suddenly checking the urge to buckle but I wasn't ready to give him the satisfaction that he so much sought after."So what? You think I will be scared?"His suddenly lowerd his head and I trembled slightly as he cupped the back of my neck, tightening his grip."Hmm, nice!" He whispered huskily.His voice distracted me greatly and I felt the fear disappear as my gaze flit down to his lips and return, startled to his eyes.The fingers at the back of my neck stroked some wild nerve to life, careening them through me as my pulse bumped to light speed."There," he said quietly. "Scared now?"I could all but feel his mouth on mine and I couldn't tell if I imagined it but his scent wafted into my nostrils for a split second, tantalizing my senses beyond control and it was difficult, trying to concentrate.His mocking laughter snapped me out of my reverie. "You felt it too, yesterday, didn't you? don't you? Why are you pretending not to? That's al
Chapter SixMondrian's POV“I’d love to see you try Alpha—-?” The corners of my mouth twitched with the ghost of a smile as I punched him harder in the face before he could finish. And suddenly, I craved more blood. I was usually good with controlling my emotions, but with her in front of me. With so much hurt in her eyes, I couldn't stand my Wolf taking over.I wanted so badly to have Christoph torn apart, limb by limb. At that moment, it felt as though all of that was meant to give me immense satisfaction and some relief from the chaos brewing inside me.I tried to hold back my Wolf from having him attacked almost instantly, with my hands still wrapped tightly around her wrist. I couldn't understand why she made me feel the way I did.She looked me over as if noticing my presence for the first time. The sweet scent of this annoying perfect girl, overwhelmed me as I breathed her in amidst all that was happening. “Fuck!” Christoph groaned in pain, holding onto his already broken nose
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,