AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was so close, Tuli.” My voice trembled at the memory, “So close to you before he got to you. I felt my heart leave with you. There is nothing in this world for me if you’re not in it,” I told her. Celeste grabbed me and kissed me fiercely, growling as she climbed on top of me. I was standing up to lay her on the bed when the door burst open. I sighed and sat back down, making sure that Celeste’s legs were covering my raging hard-on.
“You guys have really bad timing,” I said, and Celeste giggled, burying her head in my chest so they wouldn’t see her blush.
“You’re not the only one that missed her. Don’t be greedy, Alpha,” Maya accused as she pushed around behind Danny.
“You saw her yesterday,” I pointed out.
“That was in the heat of battle,” she insisted. “You would think he would have learned not to argue with a pregnant woman by now,” she told Danny, grabbing Celeste and pulling her off me, making me frown until I took in the picture they made and my frown was replaced with a smile. How they were hugging, I didn’t know. They looked like a wishbone, attached at the arms with their bodies to their side. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene while I pulled on a pair of jeans. I knew when I was bested. Danny, Camila and Gillian were all smiling at the girls with no intention of leaving.
“This room is getting cramped. How about we go down for breakfast?” I suggested.
“Oh, that’s why we came. Alpha Diego is expecting us for breakfast,” Camila informed us. Celeste’s stomach growled as if on cue, and she blushed.
Chapter fifty-five
Celeste
Markushadn’tletmeso much as pee by myself all day. He followed me around while people came to talk to me and told me how happy they were that I was back. I couldn’t really blame him. I missed him so much and found myself frowning the moment his body stopped touching any part of me. I needed the contact and the tingles. I went too long without them. But I was concerned for his mental health and what being separated from me and his pups did to him.
As word spread about what happened at the pyramids, people began thanking me for what I did. The thought of the pack no longer having a threat looming over their head gave everyone a reason to celebrate, and our breakfast turned into the beginning of a day-long celebration.
I wasn't allowed to do anything or help with anything, which, for once, I was grateful to obey. I sat next to Markus and Maya while Danny went and helped out where he could. Camila and Gillian were visiting with her family. I told Markus he could go help, but Diego insisted that he stay next to me.
After breakfast, I sank into Markus’ side on the couch, and soon, I felt him nodding off, his arm gripped securely around my waist.
‘Maya?’ I mind-linked my best friend.
‘What’s bothering you?’ she asked.
‘Markus will never tell me. Will you?’
‘Tell you what?’
‘How he was doing while I was gone.’
Her face scrunched up, and she hesitated.
‘It won’t be pretty.’
‘I don’t need pretty. I need to know what happened to my mate.’
‘We thought he‘d die when you were taken. He just… laid down in bed and shut down. His heart wasn't beating well. The monitors were always beeping. It would dip and rise to extremes. We took turns watching over him and kept one of the doctors on the floor at all times. For three days, he was unconscious, and while we were hoping he would wake up, we were also waiting for the moment his heart would stop beating. If Atlas hadn’t taken over to keep his body alive, I’m not sure he would have made it. It was like his body refused to keep going without you.’ She looked down, guilt appearing on her face.
‘When he finally woke up, he had a panic attack. I… I slapped him. I thought he would pass out again, and I knew he wouldn’t wake up again if he did, and then I would lose all of you. When he finally came around, he… well, you can see it. He’s lost weight, and he barely slept. When he wasn’t looking for you, he was shifting and running. Atlas’ howls echoed through the forest while he ran, and they were heartbreaking. Day and night, you could hear them. That man is lost without you, Celeste. I don’t think he can survive something like that again,’she said, wiping a tear away.
I did my best to keep my shit together so Markus wouldn’t wake up. I took his free hand in mine and held it to my chest, hoping the mate bond would soothe everything he went through. I would never be able to take away that trauma for him, but I hoped he'd be able to heal from it with time. I let myself fall asleep against him, putting his hand against my stomach so he could feel the pups’ heartbeats while he slept.
Danny woke us up around lunch. I was still snuggled against Markus while Maya got up from the other couch, stretching and yawning. Markus startled awake when Danny shook him, his arm gripping my side in a panic, making me wince. His face flooded with relief when he saw me next to him, and both Danny and I tried not to point out his reaction. It would take a while for him to get back to normal.
We walked out of the pack house, and my jaw almost dropped. This was no normal celebration.
“How did you guys do all of this?” I asked.
“Werewolves speed and strength.” Danny grinned. “Plus, everyone helped.”
The entire front was covered with tables with white cloths and brightly colored paper picado. There were several piñatas hanging from trees, and there was a band setting up to play on the side.
“Where did you guys get centerpieces?” I asked, still wowed at how fast they put everything together.
