Chapter 103 Eiden
Eiden's POV
“You're handsome, Alpha. You look good in any outfit." Beta Serena said in a bored tone. “Even if you were bald, you’d still be handsome.”
She stood at the door with her arms folded across her chest, waiting for me, who was observing my reflection in the mirror.
“I'm nervous, Beta.” I adjusted my tie. “I don't care what other people think of me at all.” I ran my hand through my hair, feeling its softness.
“I know that,” Beta Serena said. “It would be strange if you weren’t nervous.”
“This is the day I've been waiting for for three months.” I took a deep breath, and then a smile spread across my lips.
It had taken a long time for Celeste to think about giving me a second chance.
Even so, I didn’t feel like the days were going by slowly because I was confident Celeste would accept me.
We exchanged texts or talked on the phone every day. When we lived in that house, and I came to Liam’s school, we chatted casually.
There was no longer any distance between us, but still, Celeste hadn’t opened up to me.
“Gamma, Delta, watch over the pack while Beta and I are gone,” I instructed firmly, giving them a look of trust. “Make sure our peace remains untouched.”
“Leave it to us, Alpha,” Delta Sophia said.
“We won’t let you down, Alpha,” Gamma Nolan said, nodding.
Beta Serena and I never left the pack at the same time. We were worried, but Gamma Nolan and Delta Sophia were just as strong as we were.
The car took us to the Sacred Mountain at a moderate speed.
The warriors at the border office were surprised to see us and chose not to ask where we were going.
I sat relaxed, staring out the window. My heart pounded against my ribs. A feeling of joy and excitement enveloped me.
I couldn't stop smiling. This was the happiest day of my life.
However, a hint of worry crept into my chest. Would the Moon Goddess truly allow me to reunite with Celeste?
I was the one who broke our mate bond six years ago, and now I wanted to bind it once more.
Day and night, I pray to the Moon Goddess. I hope she's no longer angry with me.
"I hope this is the first and last time I visit the Sacred Mountain," Beta Serena commented when we arrived at the mountain.
“I hope so too,” I said as we entered the forest, which had many trees, plants, and bushes, but it was not shady, and the ground tended to be dry.
We believe the Moon Goddess visits the Sacred Mountain when she desires to see us up close, tired of her eternal throne upon the moon.
The Sacred Mountain is cloaked in mist that obscures one’s vision and can easily lead anyone astray.
Therefore, Beta Serena and I shared tasks. I observed our surroundings. Meanwhile, she surveyed the ground we were about to step on.
Sinners come there to beg forgiveness from the Moon Goddess.
Countless lovers journey here to beg the Moon Goddess to intertwine their fates.
Even those who, like Celeste and me, broke their mate bond seek her mercy. According to surveys, quite a number of them were granted by the Moon Goddess.
“Alpha!” Liam and Levi called out, waving enthusiastically. Dressed in formal attire with bow ties, their neatly styled hair made them look especially charming.
“Hi, kids.” I waved at them. Then my breath caught as my eyes shifted to Celeste, who was standing between them.
My feet stopped moving, giving myself time to admire the woman who would be mine if the Moon Goddess allowed it.
Celeste was dressed in a sleeveless white dress that hugged her figure flawlessly, her bare shoulders glowing softly.
A delicate tiara shimmered atop her head, her long brown waves flowing freely, while white wedges completed her graceful look.
“Moon Goddess, you are so beautiful.” Beta Serena approached Celeste with quick steps.
“You make me reconsider whether my Alpha deserves you.” Beta Serena laughed as she glanced at me.
“Thank you, Beta.” Celeste chuckled softly. My heart raced even faster. She was truly enchanting.
“Alpha!” Beta Serena shouted, jolting me from my thoughts. “Why are you frozen there? Are you not going to take Celeste’s hand and start the ritual?”
I grinned broadly as I scratched my head.
My steps carried me toward Celeste, our gazes locking as our smiles met.
The wind blew through her hair. She closed her eyes for a moment before her slender, beautiful fingers brushed a strand of hair that had flown into her face.
The scene was like slow motion.
Celeste didn't do that gesture to get my attention. She truly is a classy and elegant woman.
“Good afternoon, my love.” I smiled broadly at her as I stood in front of her. “Are you ready?”
“Good afternoon, my Alpha.” Celeste smiled, her cheeks flushed. My heart fluttered every time she called me that. “Of course, I’m very ready.”
I took Celeste's hand and led her in front of the large stone throne of the Moon Goddess.
The Guardian of the Sacred Mountain nodded at us. There were no rules we had to follow. We simply offered our prayers and trusted that the Moon Goddess would answer them.
Sunlight illuminated the painting of the Moon Goddess, revealing her breathtaking beauty. Her gentle gaze and captivating smile reminded me that she was our merciful creator.
Celeste and I closed our eyes and prayed our prayers silently until we received an answer.
"I beg your forgiveness, Moon Goddess. I admit I was wrong and arrogant. Six years ago, I rejected my mate and forgot about her," I said with a feeling of guilt that had been enveloping me since I met them.
"For the past six months, I've grown closer to my ex-mate, my son, and my ex-mate's second child. I love them. I want them to be mine." I smiled faintly, remembering my memories with them.
"You know I prayed earnestly," I continued. "Celeste has granted me a second chance. Today, before your throne on the Sacred Mountain, we humbly beg you to bind our destinies as mates once more."
I don’t know how many times I repeated that prayer.
Time seemed to stop. Not a sound reached my ears. If I hadn't held Celeste's hand, I would have thought I was no longer on this planet.
My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach tingled as the scent of vanilla and lavender invaded my senses and settled in my lungs.
'Mate!' My wolf cried, his eyes sparkling. 'I sense the presence of our mate. The Moon Goddess has granted both of your wishes.'
I opened my tear-filled eyes and turned my body to Celeste.
I felt truly emotional for the first time in my life.
“Hi, my mate.” I greeted Celeste with a trembling voice.
“Hi, my mate.” Celeste smiled so widely that her eyes narrowed. Her face seemed to glow in the sunlight.
“Thank you, Moon Goddess.” I stared at the soothing painting for a moment before turning back to Celeste. “I’ll mark you.”
Celeste glared. “Not here.”
I sighed. “Okay. I’ll kiss you.”
“Don’t—” Celeste was cut off. I quickly tasted her lips.
I've been craving those lips for a long time. Just as I'd hoped, they were sweet, tight, and addictive.
I could hear Beta Serena's panicked pleading for Liam and Levi to close their eyes.
"You." Celeste pouted, hitting my chest after I broke the kiss. I smiled mischievously.
"Daddy."
My heart stopped beating. It felt like I was having a beautiful dream today. After Celeste officially became mine, Liam called me daddy!
"Yes." My hand stroked Liam's blond hair, trembling slightly. This was the first time I'd ever touched him. "You're my son. My heir."
Liam rounded his eyes. He either processed my words slowly or he chose not to think about them seriously right now.
“Are you my dad now?” Levi looked at me, blinking in confusion.
"Oh, of course. I'm your stepdad now. You can call me dad, if you want." I stroked Levi's hair. I wouldn't differentiate between Liam and Levi. They were my sons.
“Yay. I have a dad again.” Levi jumped for joy.
I glanced at Celeste, who was smiling, but sadness was clearly visible in her eyes.
“Celeste.” Beta Serena hugged Celeste with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy you’ll be my Luna. Thank you for accepting my Alpha back.”
“I’m happy to be your Luna too. You’re a great Beta.” Celeste patted Beta Serena on the back.
I still couldn’t believe this wasn’t a dream.
My fists clenched with determination. I would protect what was mine with my life. I wouldn't let anyone take it from me.
My wolf howled in agreement with me.
'Alpha.' I gasped in surprise as Celeste spoke to me through a mind link. 'I will take you to my place. Just you. I will tell you who I am.'
I nodded, my eyes briefly meeting Celeste, who was chatting with Beta Serena.
'I trust you will keep our secret to the grave.'
I was tense. That day, I would learn the secret that so many people on this planet had been searching for.