Chapter 97 Celeste
Celeste's POV
“Why did you invite us all to your home, Alpha?” Gamma Silas asked, his brows knitted.
“Did something happen?” Delta Sophia straightened her back, placed her hands on her thighs, and her face paled.
“What did you want to tell us, Alpha? You suddenly asked us to come to your house. I can’t even enjoy my breakfast,” complained the youngest elder, who had only been crowned a year ago.
I sat on the single sofa, my sons standing to my right and left. Ever since Benedict died, they've wanted to protect me from them. I don't know why they think that.
I locked eyes with Beta Dylan, who was sitting on the sofa to my right, along with Gamma and Delta. The five elders were across from them, on the sofa to my left.
Beta Dylan had a confused expression like the others, but he didn't say anything, as if debating with himself.
“Do you remember what I said last night, Beta?” I raised an eyebrow, giving him a crooked smile.
“Don’t act like you don’t remember.” I waved my hand. “I know you remember all of it—what you did, what you said, and what people said to you while you were drunk.”
Beta Dylan clenched his fists that were resting on his thighs. We stared at each other for a few seconds. Then a smug smile spread across his face.
“Are you serious, Alpha?” Beta Dylan tilted his head. “Our wolves never train together.” He shook his head. “Your wolf never trains with a male wolf.”
I was so relieved that Alpha Eiden and I were able to hide the matter of our wolves' training from David and the warrior driver.
“I’m not stupid,” I hissed. “Why would I challenge your wolf to a duel if I weren’t sure my wolf would win? I have two sons. I can’t die before they’re grown.”
Everyone was shocked by my words.
“Duel?” Gamma Silas looked at me and Beta Dylan questioningly.
“Why do you want to duel with Beta, Alpha?” Delta Sophia asked.
“What happened to you two?” The youngest Elder studied Beta Dylan and me seriously. “Why are you looking at Beta with such hatred, Alpha?”
Oh. I accidentally let my eyes show my annoyance at Beta Dylan.
I glanced at Beta Dylan, who was gritting his teeth. His knuckles were white. In reality, he wasn’t sure anyone would support him.
“I love Alpha.” Beta Dylan finally told someone other than me.
With a sharp intake of breath and a hurt look at me, he continued. “I want Alpha to be mine. I firmly believe we’re meant to be together.”
I hear those words almost every day. I was truly tired of his determination. It made me wonder if he was serious.
“I can’t accept your love,” I said bluntly. “Not only because you are my mate's younger brother, but because I can't love you.”
I wasn't trying to embarrass him.
I'd told him that several times and asked him to keep looking for his mate.
"You can't love me because you won't open your heart to me," Beta Dylan growled. "You actually like your ex-mate who belittled you!"
I stared at him expressionlessly. Yeah, just as I suspected, he would say that.
I chose not to respond because I didn't love Alpha Eiden.
Moon Goddess. Something's wrong with me.
This shouldn't be happening. But why did Alpha Eiden appear in my mind? Then my heart rate increased.
My wolf shook her head without saying anything. Her reaction made me anxious.
"May I ask how long you've been in love with Alpha, Beta?" Gamma Silas asked cautiously.
Beta Dylan was furious because I kept rejecting him and was struggling to hide his embarrassment. He would punch anyone who dared to touch his ego.
“I’ve been in love with Alpha for a year,” Beta Dylan replied, his gaze locked on mine. No one could take his eyes off me.
“You were in love with Alpha… when the late Alpha Benedict was still alive?” The youngest Elder leaned in, his eyes disbelieving.
“Yes.” Beta Dylan nodded. “Benedict knows about it. He’s angry with me.” He shrugged, showing us he didn’t care at all about Benedict’s feelings.
Of course, everyone was shocked. Beta Dylan was crazy. I regret not realizing that sooner.
“My wolf challenges Beta to a duel.” I sat with my back straight, my arms crossed on my thighs, and my chin raised.
“If my wolf wins, I will imprison Beta Dylan until he can rid himself of his feelings for me.” I smiled faintly at him.
“If my wolf loses, I will leave this base with my sons,” I said, without a moment’s hesitation. “I will bring Levi back to this base when he turns seven.”
“Are you crazy, Alpha?” Beta Dylan raised his voice, his eyes wide. “Why are you doing this? You just have to accept my love.”
“I can’t!” I snapped at him. “Accept my wolf duel, or I’ll leave this base right now.”
“Mommy.” Liam and Levi rushed into my arms. “Don’t leave without us.”
My heart trembled at the sound of their hoarse voices. I stroked their backs, unable to make any promises.
“Can’t you change your terms, Alpha?” Gamma Silas looked at me worriedly. “Why must you leave this base? You’re our Alpha.”
“Once I’m gone, Beta Dylan will be your Alpha.” I jerked my chin toward the man whose face had turned bright red.
“Haven't you all been listening to him more than me? I only hold the title of Alpha without any authority.” I revealed what I’d been holding back for a long time.
They fell silent. My words were like a whip hitting them in the head.
“My wolf won’t lose. She won’t die.” My fists clenched, my jaw set hard. “She will win that fight because we want him imprisoned and my title as Alpha preserved for Levi.”
That sentence was final. I would not change my mind or regret it.
The duel will take place tomorrow. My wolf would be in the forest half an hour before the fight began.
I ignored Beta Dylan, who begged me to take back my words, saying he would forget what I said that day as long as I accepted his love.
Night had fallen. My heart was pounding in anticipation of tomorrow.
My wolf slept to gather as much energy as possible and to avoid drowning in anxiety.
I tried not to think negatively, as my wolf could hear my thoughts.
I called Alpha Eiden after I replied to his message. I didn't know why I wanted to tell him.
"Hi, Alpha," I greeted him politely.
"Hi." My ears tingled at the sound of his deep voice. "I'm surprised you called me."
"Thanks for answering my call, and I'm sorry for bothering you," I said.
"I'm not bothered," he replied. “I'll pick up your call whenever it is. Trust me.”
A smile spread across my face as heat crept into my cheeks. “Even if you promised to always pick up my calls, I won’t take advantage of it.”
"It's okay if you just want to call me," he said. "I often want to call you, too, without talking about serious topics or Liam."
I stared at my phone in shock. Alpha Eiden was so blunt. He didn't have the slightest hint of shame.
“Okay. I agree with you.” My eyes widened, and I pressed my hand to my lips. What had I just said?
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
I closed my eyes to push away my embarrassment. I hurriedly explained why I called him. “I’m nervous. My wolf is dueling a really annoying guy tomorrow.”
"My wolf and I are confident you'll win. Alea is strong and brave." Alpha Eiden sincerely praised my wolf.
Alea immediately woke up, only to grin broadly.
"Thank you," I said. "My wolf is becoming more confident."
“She has to be confident,” Alpha Eiden said. “She showed no fear when facing my wolf, so other male wolves should seem easy to her.”
I smiled at that. Without realizing it, we were chatting longer than usual. I felt comfortable; there was no awkwardness.
Tomorrow morning, Alpha Eiden's wolf will fight Alpha Romeo's wolf.
Then, in the afternoon, my wolf will duel with Beta Dylan's wolf.
We could only hope Liam wasn’t burdened by the thought of his parents’ wolves risking their lives in battle.