11: The weight of choices
Celeste’s POV
The morning air was crisp, with a slight hint of pine, as I stepped out of the royal pack building. I wrapped my shawl tight around my shoulders, feeling the chill caress my skin. The courtyard was quieter than usual, except for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind and the hum of life within the walls.
Beta Dorian stood just beyond the steps, his posture rigid and his hands clasped behind his back.
“Beta,” I said as I descended the stairs, tilting my head slightly. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Kaelen?”
Dorian turned toward me, his expression unreadable but respectful. “The Alpha King is waiting for you in the car, Luna.”
That caught me off guard. “The car? Why would he…?” My voice trailed off as I looked past Dorian to a sleek black car parked near the gate, its engine idling.
Dorian’s lips quivered with a faint smile, his eyes sparkling with quiet mirth. “He didn’t want to leave without you.
I blinked, the weight of his words settling over me. Kaelen wasn’t one to prioritize appearances or pleasantries; if he’d waited, it was for a reason.
“Thank you, Dorian,” I said softly, stepping past him and making my way toward the car.
The door opened as I approached, and there he was Kaelen, his gray eyes fixed on me with a mix of impatience and something else I couldn’t quite name.
“You’re late,” he said, though his tone lacked its usual edge.
I slid into the seat beside him, smoothing my dress as I settled in. “I didn’t realize we were leaving together.”
He lifted a brow, his expression amused. “Why wouldn’t we? You’re my wife. It would look… strange if I arrived without you.”
Wife. The word still felt foreign, even though it had been weeks since the ceremony that bound us together. I glanced at him, searching for any trace of insincerity, but his face was unreadable as always.
“I suppose it would,” I said finally, a small smile tugging at my lips.
Kaelen gave a faint nod, leaning back in his seat as the car began to move.
The ride to Eldrun was silent, the landscape rolling by in shades of green and gold as the morning sun climbed higher in the sky. I stole glances at Kaelen every so often, trying to decipher the thoughts behind his steely gaze.
Finally, I broke the silence. “Why did you wait for me?”
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11: The weight of choices
He turned his head slightly, his lips curving into the faintest of smirks. “I told you. You‘ re my wife. If I didn’t wait, the Elders would think I’d already grown tired of you.”
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped me. “And we wouldn’t want that, would we?”
“No,” he said simply, his tone softening. “We wouldn’t.”
The honesty in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.
When we arrived at Eldrun, the gates swung open with a low groan, revealing a sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees. The Elders were already gathered on the steps of the main hall, their robes pristine.
Alpha Kaelen. Luna Celeste,” one of them said as we approached, his voice warm but formal. “Welcome to Eldrun. Congratulations on your union.”
“Thank you,” Kaelen said, his tone polite but distant.
I nodded, offering a small smile as the Elder turned his attention to me.
“You are a vision, Luna,” he said, his eyes fixed on the silver necklace resting at my throat. “A fitting partner for our Alpha King.”
The compliment sounded like a test, but I inclined my head with graciousness. “You’re very kind.”
The Elder’s lips had twitched into a faint smile before he gestured for us to follow him
inside.
The main hall was grand; its high ceilings were engraved with intricate carvings that told the story of Eldrun’s history. Down the middle of the room, a long table was set with crystal decanters and silver plates, a faint scent of polished wood, and fresh flowers wafting through the air.
Kaelen and I sat at the head of the table, Elders seated in a line all around us. Their eyes flipped over to me often, but their expressions were guarded yet curiously intent.
The pleasantries were exchanged, until finally, one of the Elders leaned forward, neatly folding his hands on the table. “Luna Celeste,” he began, in a measured tone. “Your presence here is significant.
Being the mate of our Alpha King, you have grown to become a symbol of unity and strength. However, in the council matters, your participation will be reduced concerning the issues of your previous pack.
I nodded slowly, my heart sinking a little. While I hadn’t expected to be fully included, the remainder of Thornglaw’s fall still stung.
“We’ve called you here today,” another Elder said, his tone sharper, “to ask an important question regarding Thornclaw’s survivors and the rogues who attacked your home.”
The room fell silent, the weight of their words pressing heavily on my chest.
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11: The weight of choices
“What question?” I said my voice even while my stomach knotted.
The first Elder leaned back in his chair, his eyes considering. “Do you wish to focus your efforts on finding and rescuing the remaining survivors of Thornclaw? Or will you prioritize finding justice and exacting revenge on those who destroyed your pack?”
The question hung in the air, its edge cutting into me from every angle.
My mind ran as I considered their words, images of Thornclaw’s ruins flashing before my mind, charred remains of homes, cries of my people, and blood that had soaked the earth. My wolf, Usla, stirred restlessly in my mind, her voice sharp.
Revenge,” she snarled. “We must avenge them.”
But another part of me stopped. What good was vengeance if it came at the cost of more lives? If there were survivors out there, my people, my pack, how could I abandon them to pursue my anger
