Chapter 100 Eiden
Eiden's POV
That morning, when people were too lazy to leave their homes because of the snow, enjoying the holiday by sleeping in and doing other things, I got in the car and went to our house.
I missed them. I was no longer ashamed to admit it.
Celeste, Liam, and Levi were already at the house. They were more enthusiastic than I was.
I touched my pounding heart. My legs moved restlessly.
My eyes scanned the view outside the car window, with my mind wandering.
I was excited to spend time with them, but something else was making me anxious.
'You sound like a man who just learned what love is,' my wolf sneered. 'You’re not some lovestruck teenager.'
I wanted to stuff my wolf’s snout. His comment was so annoying.
'I support you.' My wolf nodded. 'I’ll stop calling you a coward if you actually do it.' He grinned challengingly at me.
I snorted. But I was ashamed to admit that my wolf’s words encouraged me to be brave and not think about the worst.
My body tensed as the car pulled up in front of the house without me realizing it. I pulled my jacket tighter around me, trying to calm my heart before anyone could hear it.
David and Celeste's driver sat on the porch. They bowed to me. They didn't greet me because they were afraid someone would hear.
"Liam, Levi." My shout echoed through the two-story house. I smiled as their voices reached my ears.
"Alpha." Liam and Levi were playing in the snow behind the house.
"Hi, Celeste." I greeted Celeste, who was in the clean kitchen.
“Hi, Alpha.” Her loose, wavy dark brown hair bounced as she turned around. A bright smile lit up her face. “Would you like some coffee?”
I blinked. She was beautiful. I was grateful I didn’t have a heart attack.
“Yes, black coffee, please.” I smiled.
“Okay, just wait.” Celeste wasn’t acting coy. Her voice was naturally gentle, her movements graceful.
I was tempted to sit there waiting for her, but the kids called out to me.
“Let’s build a snowman, Alpha.” Liam waved at me, inviting me to join him.
“No help.” Levi shook his head. “Do it yourself.” He glared at Liam.
Liam grinned broadly and scratched his head. “I’m sorry.”
They were siblings who shared a close bond.
I don’t have any siblings. I’ve never been jealous of people who show closeness to their siblings, but seeing Liam and Levi made me wish I had a little brother.
“Wow, there’s so much snow here.” I looked around the backyard in amazement, even though I knew there had been a snowstorm in the area last night. “Beautiful white.”
“Here’s your coffee, Alpha.” Celeste appeared behind me with a cup in her hand.
“Thank you so much.” I accepted my cup with a big smile. “I’m sorry I made you bring it to me.”
“I’m glad I made you coffee.” Celeste smiled and briefly dipped her head. Why was she acting so adorable?
We sat on the sofa on the porch, our gazes fixed on Liam and Levi.
“Just like the coffee I like,” I said after taking a sip of the black coffee.
“It was so easy to make coffee for you,” Celeste said, her hand holding a cup of tea.
“Thanks again for remembering my coffee recipe.”
“I should remember it, because I make coffee for you every time we stay over.”
Celeste said it casually. Her cheeks weren’t even flushed.
She had no idea how much her words were driving me crazy. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of my ribs.
Liam and Levi finished building a snowman and asked Celeste and me to be the judges. I was so relieved to be out of my trance.
The pool had frozen over. We didn’t dare play on it, afraid it might crack and swallow us. Levi was the one most afraid of swimming in the frigid water.
We played snowball fights. Celeste was the most enthusiastic, throwing balls the size of her fist at us.
Our laughter probably reached the neighbors. They had to understand, since we don't live together every day.
I wish I had this moment on my phone, but I think my brain had already captured it perfectly.
But at least we could hang a picture of us on the stairwell wall. Then every time we went upstairs, we'd smile at the memory of our snowball fight.
"Hey, let's take a picture." I pulled my phone out of my pocket. We laughed as it fell into the snow. I hate winter gloves.
"I don't know how to take a selfie," I said, my face expressionless. Celeste and Liam held back their smiles, not wanting to hurt my heart.
“Okay, let’s take a selfie.” Celeste stepped to the front, lifting the phone. Liam and Levi stood behind her, and I bent down so I’d fit in the frame.
We took a lot of photos together. I was so happy my phone gallery was full of them.
As lunch approached, the two boys and I headed to the playroom. Meanwhile, Celeste was getting ready to cook in the kitchen.
Every minute, my eyes darted to the door and checked my watch.
Not because I didn't like playing with them, but because I was sure this was the perfect time to talk to Celeste.
Liam and Levi left the playroom when Celeste called us to eat. I had to find Celeste before that happened.
My heart was racing, and I suddenly had a stomachache. I told Liam and Levi that I had to go to the bathroom.
I lied to them. My feet quickly walked to the kitchen.
The aroma of beef steak danced in my nose, but my stomach didn't growl. Nothing could ease the tension I was feeling right now.
"Hi, Celeste." I walked over to Celeste, who was setting the plates. Lunch was already on the table.
I was almost late. I didn't know when I'd have another moment alone with her.
“Hi, Alpha.” Celeste was surprised to see me. “Did I cook too long?”
“Oh, no, no.” I shook my head. “I’m not that hungry.” I touched my hard stomach. “I want to talk to you.”
“Okay.” Celeste left the plate on the table. Then she pulled out a chair for her, and I did the same. “What did you want to talk to me about, Alpha?”
“I know this place isn't romantic, but this is the perfect time.” I didn’t know what I was saying. My mouth moved without my will.
“I want you to know how I feel about you.” I touched my chest, staring deeply at Celeste.
Celeste widened her eyes. She didn't say anything, waiting for me to finish.
I took a deep breath and exhaled, trying hard to calm myself. The nervousness slowly disappeared.
"I rejected you without a second thought." I began with our old story, which was painful for her and made me realize what a jerk I was.
“For over three months now, every time we meet, I’ve been hit with the realization that my decision was wrong and I regret it,” I said with a weak sigh.
“The Moon Goddess was right. Her destiny is never wrong.” I winced, shaking my head.
“I'm so embarrassed to tell you this, but I want you to know that I love you and I realize that you are precious to me.” I looked at her with a smile on my face. “I love Levi too, if that’s okay with you.”
There was silence for a few seconds. Celeste rubbed her hands and avoided eye contact with me.
“I… didn’t anticipate you would feel that way about me,” Celeste said with a hesitant smile.
“I hope you’ll give me a second chance.” The words came easily, steady, and sincere.
“I don’t know if I can open my heart to you.” Celeste shook her head weakly. She stared at her hands for a moment. “My second mate died three months ago. I don’t want to forget him so quickly.”
“I understand.” I nodded. “I’ll wait for you because I have no plans to love another woman, and I only want to have children with you.”
Celeste smiled shyly. She lowered her head to hide her red cheeks. “Please, give me some time.”
“Okay. I’ll wait until you’re ready to open your heart to me.”
Celeste smiled faintly.
“Trust me.” I took her hand and pressed a kiss to it with my eyes closed. Her skin was as soft as her heart. Time seemed to pause, allowing me to savor the moment. “My heart will be yours for the rest of my life.”
I swore to the Moon Goddess. She would punish me severely if I broke my promise.