Chapter 96 Celeste
Celeste's POV
“Wow, it's snowing!”
Liam and Levi squealed with excitement, pointing at the white flakes drifting down from the sky as they stretched their hands past the balcony railing to touch them.
Our wait was worth it. We sat on my balcony after dinner.
My sons were so excited for the arrival of winter.
My smile grew wider every time I took pictures and recorded them.
I was going to send their photos and videos to Alpha Eiden.
Then I paused, realizing. Why would I want Alpha Eiden to see photos and videos of my kids?
I should only send Liam's photos and videos to him.
I was so weird. Just because Alpha Eiden was nice to Levi and said he didn't mind being his stepdad didn't mean he would be happy to see photos and videos of Levi.
My cheeks heated. I turned my face away, not wanting my children to ask why my face was red.
Alpha Eiden couldn't be Levi's stepfather because I didn't have any relationship with him.
Moon Goddess. I was embarrassed at the thought.
Okay. Calm down, Celeste. I forced myself to push those thoughts away.
My wolf snorted, but she never responded to the idea that Alpha Eiden would consider Levi his stepson.
I put my phone in my pocket, my heart pounding, and I felt like hiding because I'd sent a photo and video of Liam and Levi.
I'll check my phone tomorrow. He's probably fallen asleep. That's just my excuse because my heart isn't ready to read his reply.
"Alright, boys, let's head back to the room. It's getting cold," I said, hugging myself as the cold air slapped against me.
“Yeah, let’s go to sleep,” Liam yawned before continuing, “We're playing in the snow tomorrow.”
"Yeah." Levi nodded. He yawned because of Liam. His eyes were red, and he blinked weakly. "We'll make a snowman tomorrow."
They went to bed on time. Meanwhile, I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill until I was drenched in sweat.
The gym had once been Benedict’s. We used to exercise together, but after his death, I lost the motivation to go there and chose to run around the house with my kids.
I've been running on the treadmill again since my wolf decided to train with Alpha Eiden's wolf.
It was only an hour of exercise, but it helped me stay fit, and I fell asleep without having to count the stars.
Morning came quickly. Maybe it was because I slept so soundly, even though I didn't dream anything.
I prepared breakfast. Smiling, watching Liam and Levi enjoying their food with their feet swaying under the table.
They hurriedly put on winter clothes and grabbed shovels. Then they rushed through the main door.
“Hey, snow!” Liam shouted.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other,” Levi chimed in.
After that, they walked out of the house cheerfully. Really missed the snow.
I put on my winter clothes. Sitting on the porch and observing the surroundings is my favorite thing.
Liam and Levi skipped along, leaving their footsteps in the snow. Their laughter rang out.
I leaned my elbows on the table, resting my cheeks in my hands while watching Liam and Levi build a snowman.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” I took my phone out of my pocket and glanced at the unread message. It was not my habit to check my phone when I woke up.
\[They look happy. So cute.\] That was Alpha Eiden’s response to the photos and videos I sent him last night. \[Thanks for sharing them with me.\]
I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. Honestly, I was glad he wasn't upset with me because I wasn't just sending photos and videos of Liam.
\[Good morning. Are they building a snowman?\] My heart nearly dropped to my stomach as my phone vibrated.
Alpha Eiden had sent me a new message, ignoring the one I hadn't answered last night.
\[Hi, good morning. Yes, they're building a snowman.\] I sat on the porch steps just to take a picture of Liam and Levi and then send it to Alpha Eiden.
\[It's a shame I don't have the first week of winter off.\] Alpha Eiden wasn't the only one complaining about that. As Alphas, we don't really have days off.
\[Are you jealous of Liam?\] I smiled, trying to imagine Alpha Eiden's frowning face. Would he be able to make an expression like that?
\[Yeah, sure.\] Alpha Eiden was so honest. \[Who doesn't love a winter break? It's better to sit in front of the fireplace and daydream.\]
I couldn't help but laugh. Moon Goddess. I wasn't sure if I could hear him say something like that directly to me.
\[I totally agree with you.\] I typed quickly. \[I'd rather sit by the fire with a cup of tea and read a book.\]
\[Thanks for the idea. You make me want to take a vacation even more.\] Alpha Eiden wrote a message I hadn't expected.
\[Why do you seem to be blaming me? I'm just sharing my habits.\] I typed with a frown, but the next second, I smiled again.
We exchanged messages until we lost track of time. I didn't even realize Liam and Levi had finished building the snowman.
Liam asked me to take a picture of them in front of the Levi-sized snowman with his phone. I was so stupid, I forgot Liam already had a phone.
They finished playing in the snow, and I went back to work in my study.
\[I didn't know you were still working. What company doesn't give its employees the first day of winter off?\]
A warm feeling crept into my chest upon hearing such a message from him.
I didn’t even worry about whether Alpha Eiden would find out where I worked.
'I won’t stop you, even though I still hate him.' I flinched at the sound of my wolf’s voice. Just as I was about to ask her, she dismissed our mind link.
I was stunned as I stared at my laptop. Of course, I wasn’t stupid enough to know what my wolf meant.
“Alpha.”
The smell of alcohol, the unsteady voice, and the banging on the door told me that the person had come in drunk.
“Have you no manners?” I snarled at him sarcastically as he staggered towards me.
"You came in right after my shift was over, and you didn't bring anything, which means whatever you have to say to me isn't important." I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
"Worse yet, you're drunk." My nose wrinkled at the pungent scent of alcohol. This was the second time he'd entered my office drunk.
“I have important news for you.” Beta Dylan stood in front of my desk and put his hands on it to support his body, which had lost its balance several times. “I’ve been looking for my mate for a week, you know that.”
“Yes, you did what you were supposed to do,” I said with a faint smile.
“I didn’t find my mate.” Beta Dylan shook his head so hard he nearly fell to the floor.
“I’m even more convinced that you’re my mate. We’re meant to be together!” Beta Dylan slammed his fist on the table, happiness radiating from his eyes.
“I won’t let you leave the base.” Beta Dylan pointed at me with a wicked smile. “I’ll tell everyone in our group that I love you, and I’m sure they’ll approve!”
I shuddered at his enthusiasm.
Ever since my wolf training with Alpha Eiden, I’ve stopped being afraid of him. I’m truly confident.
But that day, I felt scared because drunk people don’t lie. What if he really did that?
A wave of worry washed over me, wondering what would happen if our group members agreed to us becoming mates.
I didn't want that to happen.
'Challenge his wolf to a duel,' my wolf said. 'I'm ready to fight him. I've trained twice with Alpha Arlo. I'm confident I can win!'
I tensed at my wolf's confidence.
I took a deep breath. I begged the Moon Goddess to help my wolf and me because we wanted to be free from Beta Dylan.
“Beta Dylan.” I stood with my chin raised and looked him straight in the eye. “I challenge your wolf to a duel with mine.”
"What?" Beta Dylan frowned, his face stupid.
"I'll tell you again tomorrow morning, but I hope you remember what I said when you wake up," I said firmly.
Then two warriors carried Beta Dylan to his house before he passed out.