Chapter 71 Celeste
Celeste's POV
Levi was happy because it wasn't raining. It had been pouring down in the area for two days straight.
No. Levi wasn't the only one happy. His friends cheered and were even more excited about playing on the slides and other things in the playground.
I sat with Margot. Usually, she's the one who brings the food, but now it was my turn to show off my cooking skills. Yeah, I just made a whole roast chicken.
"Eating a whole roasted chicken is so much fun." Margot shook her head as she chewed and held the drumstick in her hand. "I didn't expect this turkey to be so big."
"I was lucky enough to get the biggest one," I said, cutting into the breast. Margot didn't need to know that none of the turkeys at my base were skinny, and we never sold them outside.
“I often wonder if we could meet other than when we were waiting for our children.” Margot looked at me questioningly.
“I’d love to go to the mall with you, do anything fun,” Margot said with a wide smile, imagining us spending time alone without our kids.
Now that I think about it, I’ve never gone out with a friend because I don’t have any.
Oh my gosh, I just realized that Margot is my first female friend.
I remember very clearly that Margot approached me and started talking to me because I didn't know how.
"That's a great idea." I smiled happily at her invitation.
"I knew you'd agree." Margot snapped her fingers and grinned broadly.
"Tell me when you're free, because I'm always available. I'm not busy like you. I'm just a housewife." Margot laughed. I shook my head as she choked and coughed.
I didn’t know when I’d be able to go shopping and do things with Margot, like other women who lose track of time. I wasn’t even sure if the higher-ups in my group would allow it.
Even though they no longer just listen to Beta Dylan's words, they are still anxious and hesitant to agree every time I leave the base with my two sons to go to Liam's kindergarten.
Liam hadn't gotten home from school yet, but Alpha Eiden had already arrived with beef sandwiches for us. Luckily, Margot and I had already finished the whole roast chicken.
Margot pouted when I had to go with Alpha Eiden to the forest with Levi, but then she teased me, saying we were a good match.
Benedict appeared in my mind, as if he didn't want anyone else in my heart since he hadn't been gone long.
He didn't need to worry because he was always in my heart.
"Let's sit here," Alpha Eiden said to us. Our favorite spot was under this tree, a few steps from the lake.
"Okay," Levi replied cheerfully.
Alpha Eiden placed the paper bag on the rock. Then he rolled out the picnic mat. I only brought a drink.
“It’s been a long time since we sat here.” Alpha Eiden smiled.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“I want to play with him,” Levi asked for my permission to approach the ranger who was cleaning the lake.
“Don’t bother him, okay?” I stroked his cheek. “Okay, Mom.” Levi nodded and gave me two thumbs up.
“He’s so cute.” I was surprised by Alpha Eiden’s words and even more surprised to see him chuckle. Levi’s joyful steps toward the ranger had amused him.
Ugh, I felt annoyed when I thought of Beta Dylan. That man must be upset knowing what we were doing now. For some reason, I was looking forward to his anger at me in my office.
“Why do you have such smart and adorable children?” Alpha Eiden started the conversation.
“I’m grateful to have children like them.” I smiled broadly, my gaze fixed on Levi. He was chatting casually with the forest ranger.
“Do you like winter?” Alpha Eiden glanced at me briefly, embarrassed to ask me such a sudden question. Yesterday afternoon, he also asked me something on the phone that surprised me.
“I like all seasons,” I replied. “Do you hate winter? Fall is almost over.”
“There’s no season I hate.” Alpha Eiden shook his head.
He scratched his neck, hesitating to say it. “I was thinking about where we’d meet in the winter. We can’t be sitting in this forest, or a restaurant, or a mall.”
He’d thought about that. I hadn’t even considered it. That was good; it meant he was serious about getting closer to Liam.
“We can talk to Liam about that. I had no idea about that,” I said.
“Two things are for sure: we have to find a comfortable and safe place.” Alpha Eiden certainly knew what I meant.
“Yes, you’re right.” Alpha Eiden nodded. “I will always prioritize those two things.”
Alpha Eiden must have assumed I knew plenty of places suitable for the four of us, having lived in the rogue clan for years.
But the furthest place I visited was only Liam's kindergarten.
“Thank you again,” Alpha Eiden said. "It turns out Alpha Sifon is the person I've needed all this time."
I smiled, seeing his smile happily without realizing it.
“I don't have nightmares anymore. I never delay going to bed. When I'm sleepy, I go to bed. Work can be done later.” Alpha Eiden smiled brightly.
“It’s okay that you didn’t work overtime. I’ve never heard of it being mandatory,” I said, trying to comfort him.
“Yes, that’s absolutely true,” Alpha Eiden said through his chuckles.
"You have rarely slept in the past months. Of course, you want to sleep all the time now. Your body needs it." I didn't want him to feel guilty for sleeping so much.
“Thank you for the words.” Alpha Eiden’s cheeks flushed. Relief washed over me since I hadn't said anything wrong, and he hadn't misunderstood me.
I held my breath as our eyes met. His blue eyes seemed to draw me in, delving into his tangled thoughts.
"I got a message from a number I don't recognize," he said with a serious expression. My brows knitted together, waiting for him to show me the message.
"I don't know if it's a joke or serious. I'm still guessing who sent the message," Alpha Eiden said.
I froze when I read the message. Cold sweat broke out on my back, and I forgot how to breathe.
Two seconds later, I regained my composure and tried to act casual.
The message didn't hit me. That's what I should have shown him.
I was good at acting. I couldn't make him suspicious of me.
“Why did you get a message like that?” I raised an eyebrow, handing the phone back to him. “Do you believe that message?”
“No.” Alpha Eiden shook his head without thinking. “I’ll ignore that message. That person is just trying to blackmail me.”
“Sure.” I nodded.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t take the message seriously, but I did. I knew the sender wasn’t joking.
I will send my agents to find out which rogue intel sent that message to Alpha Eiden. Either that person broke their promise to us, or we didn’t know they knew.
"But doesn't that mean someone else knows besides Alpha Jackson?" I muttered, my face naturally confused.
"Yes, I'm trying to find out if the sender of the message is Alpha Jackson, another enemy of mine, or the rogue intel who told me about Liam." Alpha Eiden already had a list of people he should be suspicious of.
I'm going to find out who the rogue intel he's referring to is.
'Celeste.' My wolf’s voice echoed. 'I have a brilliant idea, and I beg you to consider it because I believe it’s good for us.'
'Say it.' I was intrigued by the idea.
'I want to fight Beta Dylan's wolf,' my wolf said seriously. 'Therefore, I need Alpha Eiden's wolf as my sparring partner. I can’t just train with Delta Giana.'
'Your idea is crazy, Alea,' I commented. I was not sure it could stop Beta Dylan, and I was worried about my wolf's safety.