Chapter 62 Celeste
Celeste's POV
“Have fun learning, Liam.” Levi waved at Liam with a bright smile.
“Sure.” Liam nodded, walking backward while waving. “Wait for me, okay?” Then he turned on his heels and ran into his school.
I let out a relieved breath once Liam was out of sight, safely inside his school.
The school didn’t allow anyone without proper authorization—especially those who might pose a threat to the children—to enter.
"The playground!" Levi cheered happily with his clenched fists, punching the air. I chuckled as I stroked his hair.
Ever since that blue-eyed man from the werewolf-hating organization tried to take Liam away from me, I'd stopped caring about Beta Dylan forbidding Levi and me from waiting for Liam at the playground.
I'd rather Liam be kidnapped with me. I couldn't bear the thought of him being alone in a prison, tied to a chair, being questioned and intimidated.
That werewolf-hating organization is a bunch of madmen. They don't hesitate to torture the werewolves they capture. I won't let Liam face them alone.
"You know I'm so glad you're waiting for your son in this park again," Margot said, offering me the roasted frog she brought from home. "I'm not daydreaming like an idiot anymore." She grinned broadly.
"I knew you'd miss me. Don't worry, I won't leave you again." I chuckled, amused by my own words.
Margot stared at me in shock, her mouth agape. "I never knew you could say something like that."
I rolled my eyes, my lips pouting from chewing on the roasted frog. "You think I'm not romantic?"
"Yeah, I think so." Margot grinned broadly, her face innocent.
I didn't care what she thought of me. It was actually good that she thinks I was serious, because that means I was worthy of being an Alpha.
I thought for a moment as Beta Dylan's words flashed through my head. Really, I didn't want to remember them; I wanted to enjoy my time outside the base.
I didn't want to think about work or Beta Dylan.
“What are you thinking about? Is your job really something you can’t leave? Do you have a boss who’s giving you a hard time?” Margot gave me a worried look, but I wanted to laugh at the sauce on her cheeks.
“Yeah, I have a weird coworker.” I stared at the roasted frog in my hand, whose legs I’d eaten all the way through. Of course, I hadn’t chewed the bones. “It’s not easy not to think about him.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure you don’t think about that coworker who’s been making you uncomfortable.” Margot nodded twice with a serious face. “Leave it to me.” She patted her chest arrogantly. I smiled.
Margot was really good at making me give her all my attention without me even realizing it.
Levi adored playing with children his own age. He even asked me if he could attend the same kindergarten as Liam.
David, Liam's fake uncle, was waiting for Liam in front of the school. He was still responsible for making sure Liam was okay.
I enjoyed sitting in the playground. The air was fresh, and I could see the clear sky directly without any magical barriers. I could hear the children laughing happily, enjoying their time.
Because when I returned to headquarters, I was faced with a mountain of work, my heart pounding as I watched the assassins prepare for their mission, and I tried to act as if nothing had happened when I met Beta Dylan.
Since yesterday, I couldn't sleep. It wasn't just the frustration that we couldn't eradicate the werewolf-hating organization, but also something I just learned two days ago.
I was lost in thought as I was back in my office. Time flew by so fast.
“I still can’t believe what he said.” I stared at the box of donuts and matcha tea on my desk. Beta Dylan had placed them there this morning. “But… it’s really… he really…”
I stammered, refusing to believe it. I ran my fingers through my hair and then clenched them. People would be surprised to see my messy hair.
“I don’t understand. Really. I never thought about him… having feelings like that for me. How could he… is he crazy?” I shook my head, breathing heavily.
'I never thought he liked you either,' my wolf said. His words and actions toward you haven't been like those of someone who likes you. His attitude toward you hasn't changed.'
'He’s really good at acting. I can’t bring myself to believe his words. It feels like he’s just talking without thinking. He must have misunderstood the feelings in his heart for me.' I had been making these assumptions since yesterday.
'But if you can remember a few months before Benedict died, Beta Dylan and Benedict were a bit strained. He said Benedict already knew about his feelings for you, right?' My wolf has a good memory.
'You’re right, Alea.' I sighed as I leaned back in my chair. 'I can imagine how devastated Benedict must have felt when he found out.' My eyes welled up with tears, my lips pursed.
Beta Dylan said he refused to become Alpha until Levi was ready to take over because he wanted me to be his superior and control me. He was weird and creepy.
I rubbed my upper arm as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. If I had known Beta Dylan had loved me all along, I would have refused to become Alpha and encouraged our members to choose him. That way, I would have been free from him.
However, he was indeed very clever, cunning, and manipulative. I didn't think his smile and attention to me weren't because I was his Alpha.
I was so stupid for never pushing Benedict to tell me why he was keeping his distance from Beta Dylan.
My personal cell phone vibrated in my shirt pocket. Fully aware, I smiled when I realized who was calling me that late at night.
I was the same as him that night; I couldn't sleep either. But he didn't need to know that.
"Hello." I moved to sit on the couch.
I wanted to throw the box of donuts and matcha away, but wasting food felt wrong. In the end, I would probably eat them without savoring a single bite.
“Hello.” His deep voice sounded hesitant. “I apologize for calling you at night. I thought it was a good time, and I knew you weren’t asleep yet.”
“No problem,” I said. “What happened this time? Did you wake up from a nightmare?”
“It happened yesterday.” Alpha Eiden sighed heavily, showing me he really didn’t know what to do to stop the nightmare and regain his restful sleep.
“Six wild boars chased me,” Alpha Eiden snorted.
Poor him.
“I saw a therapist this afternoon, but I didn’t know what to say to her. In the end, I only stayed there for ten minutes without saying anything.” Alpha Eiden’s tone sounded desperate. “Maybe it’s because I’m an Alpha.”
He was an Alpha werewolf and also a man expected to never show weakness to anyone. That unwritten rule needed to be erased because even a leader couldn’t always control his emotions.
I gazed out the window at the dark sky, faintly illuminated by moonlight. Alpha Eiden had long asked for my help in finding him someone who understood what was really happening to him.
Nearly every night for the past three weeks, I’d listened to him talk about his nightmares, how he’d almost collapsed from days without sleep, and the green liquid medicine that hadn’t helped him at all.
I couldn't keep pretending I knew nothing and ignored him when he was clearly suffering and in desperate need of help.
'What do you think, Alea?' I asked her.
'He’s Liam’s father. He’s good.' It wasn't easy for my wolf to say that as long as her hatred for Alpha Eiden remained in her heart.
'It’s up to you whether you help him or not. Just be prepared to face Beta Dylan’s wrath.' My wolf was right. Beta Dylan wouldn’t like my decision, but I didn’t care.
“I received information that the Purple Forest Group could help you,” I finally told Alpha Eiden.
“Is that true?” Alpha Eiden was delighted to hear it. “How do I visit the group? Do you know?”
“Yeah, I guess,” I answered with a frown because I knew I would regret saying that.
“Please accompany me there. I’ve never visited a rogue group,” Alpha Eiden said without thinking. “I’ll pay you. I know it’s not easy to get information.”
I didn’t know what to say because Alpha Eiden was so excited, and I found my lips forming a wide smile.