Chapter 78 Eiden
Eiden's POV
We only stayed one night at this hotel. This morning, we'll be returning to our respective homes. It's a shame we have to cut our time together short.
Yesterday, Arlo, my wolf, played with Liam and Levi from noon until nighttime. I was only allowed to read Liam a bedtime story.
My wolf had dinner with them, but he ate in my room because he didn't want Celeste, Liam, and Levi to vomit. Not everyone likes seeing raw meat go down a wolf's throat.
I let my wolf create many memories with Liam and Levi. Maybe he could make Liam accept me more.
I was honestly sad that I didn't interact much with Liam, even though we had always been like that, but at least I was around him and listening to him speak directly.
That morning, as the sun had just risen, Liam and Levi hadn't yet woken from their deep sleep.
I stepped out of the room and, looking straight ahead, found Celeste in the kitchen. The sweet aroma of tea assaulted my nostrils.
I smiled as I approached her.
Celeste lifted her head, and our gazes met. I was surprised she noticed I was walking toward her, even though we were still quite a distance away.
Celeste had keen hearing. She was both terrifying and charming.
“Good morning,” Celeste greeted me with a wide smile.
Oh, really, she’s so beautiful.
“Good morning.” I smiled at her, taking a seat across from her. “Wow, what kind of tea is this?”
“Jasmine tea,” she replied. “You’ll love it.” She sat in front of me, pushing a cup of tea for me.
My heart hammered against my ribs, and the thought that she might hear it made me feel deeply embarrassed.
Celeste acted relaxed because she didn't have any feelings for me. Of course, that made my chest feel like it was being pinched.
"The scent is calming and refreshing, isn't it?" Celeste sipped her jasmine tea, her eyes closed, her face glowing brightly like a sunflower bathed in sunlight.
My heart pounded even louder, and a wide smile forced its way onto my face.
I've never been like this. I usually don't like women who act elegant in front of me.
No. Celeste wasn't trying to get my attention. She was doing it because she was like that every day.
'By the Moon Goddess, Eiden. Your thoughts are so noisy.' My wolf shook his head mockingly.
Damn wolf.
“The tea is soothing and sweet, just like you.” I glared as the words slipped out of my mouth.
I stared at Celeste as if I wasn’t ashamed of having said it.
“Thank you.” Celeste smiled, her eyes narrowing. I was sure that smile would often appear in my head when I think of her.
“It seems Liam and Levi like my wolf.” I started our conversation with a casual topic.
“Yeah, they really enjoy playing with your wolf.” Celeste nodded. She was smiling, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.
It seemed Celeste was remembering her late second mate.
“I’m relieved they like Arlo.” I took a sip of the tea. Drinking it slowly felt more enjoyable. “My wolf and I have never dealt with children. There were never any children around us.”
Beta Serena, Gamma Nolan, and Delta Sophia hadn't found their mates yet. I wondered again if they were experiencing bad luck because I rejected my mate.
“I think you and your wolf are adjusting quickly,” Celeste said. “Liam and Levi are comfortable with you.”
“I hope so.” I nodded. “We’re doing our best to grow closer to them.”
“You’ve done it,” Celeste assured me that my wolf and I weren’t that bad in the eyes of her two sons.
“I made a bad first impression with Liam.” I held my half-full teacup tightly, feeling the remaining warmth.
“I scared him. I felt like a bad guy trying to kidnap him.” I shook my head with a heavy sigh.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Celeste said. “You showed Liam your scary side, but he’s not scared of you anymore. He’s just awkward. So you don’t have to worry.” She waved her hand.
I grimaced.
“If I’d been nice to him when we first met,” I said, my shoulders slumping. “Liam wouldn’t have been so awkward with me.”
“It’s okay, Alpha,” Celeste said. “You don’t know how to act around kids. Liam understands that.”
“How did you get him to understand me?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I honestly forgot what I said to him when he told me you scared him.” Celeste grinned broadly, scratching the back of her head.
I smiled a little. She was so funny.
"You don't need to regret your past actions. The important thing now is that Liam no longer has a thick wall around him."
Celeste said it in a soft tone, like a sacred melody washing over my anxious heart.
"Perhaps soon you'll be able to break down that thick wall." Celeste stroked the handle of her teacup. "Just wait patiently."
"I knew that day would come." I just need to patiently wait for Liam to consider me his biological father.
I thought for a moment. Celeste's words about not regretting my past actions hit me hard.
I'd made a bad first impression not only on Liam, but on Celeste as well.
“I know I shouldn’t have brought this up,” I said, licking my dry lips and directing my gaze to Celeste, who was giving me her full attention.
"I'm sorry I rejected you after we completed the bonding." I straightened my back and held my teacup tightly. "I didn't think clearly. I shouldn't have blamed the alcohol."
Celeste listened to me without interrupting.
"Then after that, I forgot about you. Even when I look at your photo, I don't remember anything about you." I looked at her regretfully.
"If that rogue intel hadn't seen Liam and told me, I probably wouldn't have remembered you until I died, and I wouldn't have thought I had a child with you." My chest tightened as if I were in a smoking area.
I never planned to say any of those things to Celeste, and I don't expect her to forgive me.
“I’ve forgotten that day. I used to hate you, but since I had Liam, I’ve been more focused on myself and Liam,” Celeste said calmly, showing me that my words wouldn’t affect her life now.
“But hearing you be honest with me, yeah, it makes me sad, and my heart aches.” Celeste smiled sadly as she touched her chest.
"Come on, let's forget about our past." Celeste waved her hand in front of us as if to erase the painful memories. "Let's just focus on the present and the future with our children."
Celeste stared wide-eyed, her hand covering her mouth, realizing something was off about her words.
“Yes, you’re right.” I nodded after taking a sip of the jasmine tea. “Liam and Levi are our children. We’ll take care of them until they’re grown and can live independently without us.”
I said steadily, not letting Celeste know how happy I was that she said that. She made me hope that one day she’d be willing to get back with me.
Celeste said nothing. Her hand still covered her mouth, her head bowed, and her eyes fixed on her teacup. She hid her blushing cheeks.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you I found a house for us.” I handed Celeste my phone. “I just have to finish paying for the house if you agree.”
Two days ago, I told Celeste that a few days after I met them, I immediately started looking for a house for us to live in.
Back then, I didn’t tell Celeste because that residential area was notorious for men hiding their mistresses there. That’s why I brought them to stay at my mansion.
However, they no longer wanted to come to my pack. Rather than renting hotel rooms whenever we met, having a house in a gated community was the better option—it guaranteed our privacy.