12: Thought of My brother
Celeste’s POV
The car hummed softly as we made our way back to Shadow Keep, the forest blurring past the windows in shades of green and gold. I sat quietly, my hands folded in my lap, but my mind was anything but still.
I couldn’t seem to shake off the Elders‘ question running through my mind: Do you want to work at finding and saving the surviving members of Thornclaw? Or is it seeking justice, seeking revenge upon those that destroyed your pack that motivates you?
I answered in a heartbeat, it was a very instinctive answer. “I want to find those that
lived.
It had felt right at the time, but now doubt clawed at me, its whispers growing louder with every mile we traveled. Had I made the right choice?
My chest constricted as memories of Thornclaw flashed before me: the village in flames, the cries of my people, the scent of smoke and. blood filling the air. My wolf, Usla, stirred restlessly in my mind, her voice laced with frustration.
“You should have chosen revenge,” she growled. “They deserve to pay for what they did to our home.”
“I know,” I whispered to myself, my fingers clenching into the folds of my dress. “But what about those who survived? What about the ones who are still out there, waiting to be found?”
Usla fell silent, though I could feel her dissatisfaction simmering just beneath the surface.
I turned my gaze to the passing trees, the weight of my decision settling heavily on my shoulders. Deep down, I knew the truth. My answer hadn’t been about strategy or duty, it had been personal.
My brother.
The thought of him sent an ache through my heart, a mix of hope and dread churning in my chest. I hadn’t seen him since the attack on Thornclaw, and the not knowing was slowly driving me mad. Was he alive, somewhere out there, waiting to be found? Or was he gone, like so many others?
I needed to know.
But I hadn’t told him about Kaelen yet. Not yet.
“Celeste,” Kaelen’s voice cut into my thoughts, low, even.
I glanced at him, startled at how closely he watched me. His gray eyes were sharp, almost piercing, like he could see right through me.
- Thought of My brother
“I’m fine,” I stammered out, although the words felt shallow, even to my ears.
Kaelen raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “You’ve been staring out the window for an hour. What’s on your mind?”
I hesitated, my mind racing. “Just… the meeting. The Elders‘ question.”
He nodded slowly, his face thoughtful. “You answered quickly. Almost too quickly.”
My chest tightened. “Do you think I made the wrong choice?
Kaelen was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting to the road ahead. “That’s not for me to decide. But I’m curious. Why didn’t you choose revenge?”
I looked away, my fingers twisting in my lap. “I have my reasons.
He glanced at me again, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Care to share them?
“I…” The words caught in my throat, the truth too tangled and raw to speak aloud. “It wouldn’t have felt right,” I said finally.
Kaelen’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Revenge isn’t always about what feels right. Sometimes it’s about what needs to be done.”
“I know that,” I said, my tone a little sharper than I intended. “But what is the point of revenge when there’s no one left to fight for? If there are survivors out there, my people, my pack, how could I abandon them just to satisfy my anger?
He was silent again, and I dared to glance at him. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes–something deeper, more thoughtful.
“You’re thinking about someone specific,” he said finally.
My heart skipped a beat, panic surging through me. “What?
“Someone,” he repeated, his voice even but resolute. “You’re not talking about your pack in general. There’s someone you’re hoping to find.”
I looked away, my chest tightening. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Kaelen sighed, his gaze softening somewhat. “You’re a terrible liar, Celeste.”
The words stung, not because they were untrue, but because they were far too true.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that! made the right choice. At least, I hope I did.”
Kaelen didn’t press further, though I could feel his eyes on me, heavy with unspoken questions.
The rest of the ride was silent, the tension between us thick and unspoken. My thoughts kept drifting back to my brother, his face a haze in my memory; he had been so argumentative, so determined to always protect me, even when it was not his responsibility to do so.
I could still hear his voice, teasing but affectionate. “You’re tougher than you look, Celeste. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
- Thought of My brother
The thought of him out there–albeit alone and scared, or worse–caused an ache in my chest. I didn’t know whether he was dead or alive, but I couldn’t rest till I found that out.
Kaelen broke the silence as we neared the gates of Shadow Keep. “You should know, whatever happens, you don’t have to do this alone.”
I turned to him, startled by the softness in his tone. “What do
you mean?”
He kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel. “The survivors. The rogues. Whatever path you choose, I’ll stand by you. You’re not just my Luna, Celeste. You’re my partner.”
His words sent a strange warmth coursing through me, chasing away some of the doubt gnawing at me all day.
“Thank you,” I whispered, the words barely audible.
Kaelen looked over at me, the corners of his lips raising in a slight smile. “Don’t thank me yet. We still have quite a road to travel.”
I nodded, and the weight felt a little bit lighter on my chest. Whatever happened next, I would find my brother. I would bring him home
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