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“We need to talk about how we’re going to handle this new information,” I said, bringing us back to business before Celeste asked me why I gave up on the mate bond. “The Luna ceremony will need to be done using her full name, so that’s the deadline to make some decisions. I want to contact the council, but the word of two women against someone like Alpha Geoff won’t be enough. We still need to get proof. I’m not sure why Alpha Geoff was looking for her after he killed her parents, but we will have to be prepared for a possible act of aggression after he finds out she was under his nose all this time.”
“I might know why.” My father spoke up, and all heads snapped to him. He sighed and sat on the chair near the living room. Marie was next to him a second later, and he relaxed a little when she put her hand on his shoulder. I never paid attention to the effect the mate bond had on him. Maybe if I had, I would have looked for Celeste sooner. Maybe I could have saved her from the suffering she endured a lot sooner.
“When Alpha Geoff challenged Cory for Bella, there were rumors he had never even met Bella before that night. Some people close to Cory thought the challenge was a cover for something else.” He looked at Celeste. “Not many people knew, but your mother was from an ancient line of Alpha wolves. A line that still retained gifts from the Moon Goddess, Selene. A Luna and an heir from this line would make an alpha family very powerful.” He frowned, and I saw him gulp back emotion.
“When he challenged your father and won, he intended to take your mother as his chosen mate, produce an heir and acquire more power. When your mother took her life, his next best choice was to take the current heir, but you disappeared. Everyone assumed you were killed in the chaos.”
“How did you know my parents?” she asked, wiping a tear away from her eyes. I gave her a gentle squeeze, letting her know I was here for her. Atlas and I were both processing what my father said. If what he said was true, it meant Celeste was and might always be a target. One that I would protect until my last breath.
“Your father was a good friend of mine growing up. Our parents were both alphas, and we shared the same upbringing. When your father met your mother, he was obsessed with keeping her safe. He stopped interacting with a lot of packs because he believed it would put her in danger, which I think is ultimately why no one else pushed the council to investigate. Duties kept our friendship after we took over the packs to mostly phone calls, but when you were born, I was there. I was on my way back from a meeting at another pack when your father called me.” He smiled, lost in memories.
“He was so excited and nervous, rambling on and on. I went there to support him, and it was the first time I witnessed the power your mother possessed get out of control during the delivery pains. She could conjure the winds, and the gales she summoned while going through contractions almost made me piss my pants.” He laughed.
“That’s when he told me about her bloodline and swore me to secrecy. I never quite managed to see them as much as I hoped. It was mostly quick ten-minute stops on the way home from somewhere. When I found out what happened…” He closed his eyes. One tear fell from his eyes. “I am sorry, my dear. I should have looked for you harder.”
“It’s not your fault. They held us in some dungeons for over two months after it happened. I never knew why, but now I think he hid us so everyone thought there were no survivors,” Celeste explained.
“So, what do we do now?” Gillian asked.
“We protect her. We will schedule the Luna Ceremony for two months from now. That should give us enough time to find some proof to bring the bastard down. We find proof of what he did to her parents—”
“No. Our priority is the girls still at the pack house,” Celeste pleaded. “I’ve seen the last of my people disappear one by one over the last decade. We need to save them first. What happened to my parents can’t be changed. We need to save my friends.”
“I agree. I’ll contact Danny and ask him to come back. We'll need a new strategy,” Gillian said, smiling at my mate and making me growl lowly.
“You will make an excellent luna.” Gillian bowed his head.‘Down, Cujo. I have no intention of getting between you. She is definitely your perfect mate. Just as protective of her people as you.’My possessive tendencies receded at his words, and I couldn’t help but agree with him. The Moon Goddess had blessed me.
“I think that’s enough for now. It’s been a long day,” I said when I saw Celeste blink to keep herself awake. “I don’t think I have to remind anyone here the importance of keeping her fire ability a secret?” I said, knowing the answer but also needing to say it anyway.
“Of course, son,” Dad answered.
“There’s one more thing,” Celeste said.
“Maybe tomorrow?” I asked.
“No, I’ve kept this a secret all my life. I don’t want to have any more.” She was exhausted, but I felt her need to unburden herself was much greater than her need for rest.
“What is it, my dear?” Dad asked.
“I have never had the power of fire before today, but I’ve had visions since I was a little girl. I think it’s broken. It only gives me premonitions a couple of seconds before they happen, and they give me migraines. I think it broke after my mother passed. I saw her death seconds before she acted, and it never worked well after that.”
“We will keep this a secret as well, but if you don’t mind, I might know a witch that may help you control it or at least help you have them without the migraines?” He looked at me with the question, and I nodded.
“Probably a good idea, but she will need to be vetted first,” I answered.
“Of course. I’ll forward the details to Gillian so he can begin the vetting process.” My father turned to my mate with mixed emotions and smiled slightly. “Good night. Celeste. It has been an absolute pleasure to meet you.”
“Alpha, Luna. Goodnight,” Gillian said and left the room.
Chapter ten
Celeste
GillianandMarkus’parentsleft, and then it was just me and Markus alone. He was still holding me against his chest, and I didn’t know what was supposed to happen now. I had a room, but neither of us moved, and I don’t think either of us wanted to. I couldn’t stop the yawn that left my mouth, and I heard Markus chuckle and move from behind me.
“Long day?” he asked.
“In a good way,” I said. I got up and winced, feeling a pain in my ribs now that his sparks weren’t distracting my body. All the bruises seemed to scream at me suddenly, reminding me they were still there.
