Chapter 53 Celeste
Celeste's POV
I sat in the backyard with my kids. Liam had gotten home from school two hours ago, and they were suddenly bored playing in the playroom.
We talked about a lot. I mostly listened to them.
“They’re older than me, but they won’t look at me or play with me,” Levi said. “They are also afraid to answer me.” He pouted.
"When did you invite them to play? You didn't approach them while they were focused on practice, did you?" I spoke softly to him so he wouldn't think I was angry with him for disturbing others.
"I approached them while they were sitting and resting, waiting to be called." Levi looked at me with adorably round eyes. "They weren't busy."
“They’re nervous, Levi,” Liam said. “They must be praying to the Moon Goddess to make sure they don’t make any mistakes because they don’t want to fail the test.”
“Oh.” Levi nodded, his face trying to comprehend what Liam was saying. “So I shouldn’t approach them?”
“You shouldn’t approach them if you meet them in the forest because they’re probably training or taking a test,” Liam said.
“But how am I supposed to meet them outside the forest?” Levi asked curiously.
I don't know why Beta Dylan and Gamma Silas didn't try to stop Levi from wanting to play with one of the twenty children. They seemed to be struggling to find words that Levi would understand and wouldn't upset him.
"Levi, why do you want to play with them?" I asked.
"I just want to play with them," Levi said innocently.
"They joined us because they want to work," I said, gently stroking Levi's hair beside me. "They want to prove they belong here and find out what they're capable of."
Levi nodded. “They’re hard workers. I won’t approach them again. And hopefully, they’ll come over to our house to play on the slide with us.” He spoke cheerfully, thrilled with his brilliant idea.
“Yeah, hopefully, they’ll play with us.” Liam agreed with Levi. Then he turned to me. “Can you ask them to come, Mommy?”
I winced at their expectant looks. “I’ll have to talk to Gamma Silas and Delta Giana about that.”
I was not sure those twenty kids were allowed out of their dormitory other than to go into the forest for training and tests.
"When are we going to Alpha Eiden's mansion again?" Levi asked enthusiastically. Of course, that surprised Liam and me.
We hadn't discussed Alpha Eiden since we'd stayed at his mansion a few days ago. Liam didn't even dare ask me what the higher-ups in our group thought about Alpha Jackson knowing about us.
“I like staying at the mansion. Alpha Eiden is nice too.” Levi didn’t hide anything. And it just so happened that his face couldn’t lie.
“Yeah, me too.” Liam nodded, lowering his head. He didn’t want me to read his expression.
“I don’t feel alone.” Liam wrung his fingers nervously and glanced at me. “I mean, I like the smell of werewolves. They smell the same as me. So I don’t feel strange or different.”
My heart felt like it was being squeezed. I didn't know Liam had always felt different. In fact, he'd been wondering why he was a werewolf for a long time before he learned Alpha Eiden was his biological father.
I hugged Liam tightly and kissed his hair. "You're not wrong to feel that way, but you know no one thinks of you as different at this base."
"Yes, Mommy." Liam nodded. Then we laughed as Levi hugged us.
"Would you like to video call Alpha Eiden?" I offered Liam. He smiled shyly and nodded.
Alpha Eiden never declines calls, even when he's extremely busy.
Liam's hands trembled as he held my phone. It was cute how nervous he was, but his eyes couldn't lie; the enthusiasm was clear.
"Good afternoon, guys." Alpha Eiden waved at Liam and Levi with a wide smile on his face.
“Good afternoon, Alpha Eiden,” Liam and Levi greeted him cheerfully.
I sat a little away from them, just watching and hearing them interact with Alpha Eiden.
“What are you guys doing?” Alpha Eiden asked.
“We’re sitting in the backyard. Mommy’s with us, too.” I was surprised when Liam pointed his phone at me. Alpha Eiden smiled at me, and I nodded at him. Somehow, a smile wouldn't form on my face.
“Wow, it’s so nice to sit under a shady tree and enjoy the gentle breeze,” said Alpha Eiden.
“Yes. We’re enjoying the afternoon.” Liam nodded.
The three of them chatted casually. I smiled as they grew closer.
I looked toward the distant mountain near the Wild Forest. On cloudless days, its peak was clearly visible from our base.
I let my mind go blank, something I rarely did. The cool autumn breeze messing with my hair coaxed me into closing my eyes, just for a moment.
“Why are there dark circles under your eyes?” Liam’s question to Alpha Eiden pulled me out of my reverie. I secretly wanted to know the answer.
“I haven’t slept much in the past few days. Lots of work.” No, he was lying. He must have been unable to sleep, or rather, unwilling to sleep, because of the nightmare.
I glanced at Liam and Levi, who didn't ask any further questions. They then talked about their lunch and fishing in the lake.
'He's such an idiot.' My wolf voice echoed in my head. ‘He didn't ask the rogue assassin. He didn't follow your advice. If he had that much confidence in his spy warrior, he wouldn't have relied on the rogue assassin.'
'I don't know why he's so afraid of relying on a rogue assassin. He seems to be the only Alpha werewolf who never asks for a rogue assassin's help.' I shook my head, unable to understand Alpha Eiden.
Alpha Eiden's video call with my two sons ended a few minutes ago. They'd been talking for half an hour, which was quite a long time. They ran out of topics.
Liam and Levi went back to the playroom while I settled into my chair. In less than an hour, paperwork had already piled up.
I looked at the door as Beta Dylan walked in carrying documents and a cup of matcha.
“You’ve worked hard.” Beta Dylan handed me the matcha.
I thanked him with a confused face. This morning, he gave me a box of donuts. However, I didn’t find it strange, as I assumed he just wanted to give me something to eat and drink.
Beta Dylan sat across from me and carefully placed the document as if it were precious. Yeah, any information we get is always useful.
“I know what you’ve done.” Beta Dylan stared at me with a mysterious expression. “You’ve been looking into the weaknesses of Alpha Jackson, Alpha Andrew, and Alpha Romeo. Did Alpha Eiden secretly pay you to gather information on them?”
I knew he would find out sooner or later.
“No. I’m just curious. This isn’t the first time I’ve looked into Alpha werewolves or Alpha rogues just to see if they have any interesting secrets,” I said casually, taking a sip of the matcha.
“Okay. I see.” Beta Dylan nodded. His gaze grew more intense, as if hoping to read my thoughts. “Then why did you look into the Purple Forest Group and access the database containing cases our agents have already resolved?”
I hated that they knew about it. I really couldn't do anything without them knowing.
"I knew you'd help him," Beta Dylan said sarcastically after he knew I wouldn't find excuses to cover up my true actions.
“Did he tell you, and then you felt sorry for him?”
“Relax. I won’t tell him,” I reassured him while reminding myself not to cross the line. “Every piece of information has a price. We’re not running a charity.”
I might have to encourage Alpha Eiden to reach out to a rogue assassin group. If possible, I would recommend my own, but how could I do that without making him suspicious? In his eyes, I was nothing more than a civilian.