Chapter 102 Celeste
Celeste's POV
Winter slipped by like water rushing from the headwaters to the mouth of a river.
This winter, we had so many happy memories that we forgot that at the beginning of summer, we lost Benedict forever.
Nothing bad happened during those three months. Alpha Eiden, my two sons, and I gathered together at the house without a single worry.
I went to Benedict's grave with Liam and Levi this morning. A feeling of longing surged through my chest, and I apologized to him for not thinking about him enough lately.
"Beta Dylan has completed his sentence, Alpha," the head warrior said, showing us a video call with one of our spies. “He will take his oath before Gamma, Delta, and the elders.”
We watched as Beta Dylan was led out of his solitary cell. Ten warriors flanked him as he walked toward the elders’ residence.
Then the ritual began. Beta Dylan promised us that he would find his mate and bring her to live on base. He would leave this place if he suddenly felt the urge to possess me again.
“Thank you, Head Warrior,” I said to the bald man after the ritual was complete.
“My pleasure, Alpha,” said the head warrior before darting away.
I moved to the sofa. My legs crossed with my arms folded across my chest. I stared casually at the door.
I didn’t attend Beta Dylan’s oath ceremony, as he was scheduled to come directly to my study afterward.
"Alpha." Beta Dylan bowed respectfully to me, something he had never done in the past. “I’ve completed my punishment. Those three months in prison were spent in self-reflection.”
“Do you hate me?” It was an easy question to answer if he was honest.
“I hated and was angry with you in the first few weeks of my time in prison,” Beta Dylan said. “Gamma Silas and Delta Giana patiently made me realize that I was wrong. My love for you was unhealthy.”
“So what now?” I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you to sit.” I pointed to the sofa across from me.
“I still love you. It’s not easy to get rid of these feelings.” Beta Dylan pressed his chest, his expression heartbroken.
“But I’ve accepted the fact that I can’t force you to like me, and not everyone we love will be ours.” Beta Dylan smiled, the corners of his lips trembling.
“Thank you for your effort in forgetting your feelings for me,” I said with a faint smile. “Give your love to your mate. She deserves it.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Beta Dylan nodded. “The bond of mate is purer than any other relationship.”
He touched his chest again. He smiled broadly and bowed his head slightly as he said, “I look forward to my mate coming into my life.”
I was truly relieved that Beya Dylan was no longer obsessed with me. He would return to the person I knew him to be.
“How is your relationship with Alpha Eiden? Does he love you?” Beta Dylan brought up the topic suddenly when my heart was still not ready.
For three months, I had kept it to myself. Even Liam and Levi didn’t know that Alpha Eiden wanted us to be a family.
“Why do you ask that?” I picked up my teacup and took a sip, averting my eyes.
“You love him, Alpha.”
I nearly spat my tea at him. Luckily, I’m not impulsive.
“Since you didn’t answer me, I’m even more convinced Alpha Eiden has asked you to give him a second chance.”
I couldn’t look at Beta Dylan. He must have been smiling teasingly at me.
“Your cheeks and ears are so red.”
I snorted at his chuckle.
“I don’t think the late Alpha Benedict would be disappointed in you if you got back together with your ex-first mate,” he said.
I stared at him in disbelief. My fingers tightened around my teacup. Still denying that this might be part of my destiny.
“You’re young, and you have two sons. You can’t live alone for the rest of your life, and both of your sons need a father,” Beta Dylan said softly, looking at me intently.
I let the silence fall between us for a few seconds.
'I honestly agree with Beta Dylan,' my wolf said. 'We already know Alpha Eiden isn’t as evil as we thought, he’s stopped being a player, and he loves your children.'
My wolf has been encouraging me to give Alpha Eiden a second chance since yesterday, and she’s already forgiven what Alpha Eiden did to us six years ago.
'You’re aware of your feelings for him,' my wolf sighed. 'You’re hesitating because you’re thinking about Benedict’s feelings.'
My wolf understands me best.
However, there’s something else holding me back from allowing Alpha Eiden into my heart freely.
“Are you no longer afraid of our identities being revealed?” I raised an eyebrow. “I'm not sure I can keep that secret from him forever.”
“If Alpha Eiden truly loves you and cares about the safety of you and your two sons, he will keep our secret to the grave,” Beta Dylan said.
“But even so, we won’t let our guard down. I will order agents to monitor him for the rest of his life.” Beta Dylan smiled evilly.
“We also trust you won’t betray us because you love Levi. Always remember he is the future Alpha,” Beta Dylan warned me.
“Besides, it will be the Moon Goddess who decides whether you two will be together again or meet your true mate,” Beta Dylan said wisely.
I nodded. We could never compel the Moon Goddess to answer our prayers.
Not only Beta Dylan, but the other higher-ups and elders also wouldn't stop me if I got back together with Alpha Eiden.
The most important thing was that I let them keep an eye on Alpha Eiden to ensure he kept our secret and would never betray me.
That night, I sat cross-legged with my two sons in the playroom. My heart was pounding, and my hands were squeezing my calves.
“Do you like Alpha Eiden and feel comfortable around him?” I asked them.
“Yeah, he’s nice.” Liam nodded, a shy smile playing on his lips. “I’m getting more comfortable with him.”
“I like him,” Levi replied. “Even though he doesn’t talk much, he’s fun to play with. He’s not fierce either.” Levi shook his head.
They don't lie. Children tell the truth without any burden.
I took a deep breath and bit the inside of my cheek. It wasn't easy to tell them this.
“Would you agree if Alpha Eiden and I pray to the Moon Goddess on the Sacred Mountain to make us mates again?” The words were spoken clearly.
Liam and Levi were silent for a moment. They looked at each other before looking back at me.
"I don't understand," Levi said. Moon Goddess. I forgot he was only three years old.
"If the Moon Goddess answers our prayers, Alpha Eiden will be your stepfather," I said.
"So I'm going to have a dad again?" Levi's question was innocent. He felt both sad and happy, but since Alpha Eiden had never differentiated between him and Liam, he nodded. "I agree."
I couldn't smile because Liam hadn't given me an answer yet.
“I had no idea Mommy and Alpha Eiden were secretly planning to bind your fates together again,” Liam commented.
“Of course I’m happy.” Liam smiled, his eyes welling with tears. “I know this wasn’t an easy decision. I hope Mommy didn’t do it because of me.”
“Oh, of course not, my dear.” I stroked his cheek and shook my head. “I love him. I would ignore him if I didn’t like him.”
“Yeah, just like Mommy did with Beta Dylan,” Levi spoke like an adult.
I texted Alpha Eiden. Five minutes later, he called me.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Alpha Eiden didn't mince words. He was impatient and afraid his guess would be wrong.
Liam and Levi stared at me eagerly.
“Are you still waiting for my answer?” My heart raced wildly, threatening to burst from my chest.
“Of course,” Alpha Eiden said. “I wait for your answer every single day until my chest tightens and my heart forgets how to beat properly.”
I chuckled. Alpha Eiden snorted in annoyance.
"I'll give you a second chance, but I'll leave the final decision to the Moon Goddess tomorrow at the Sacred Mountain," I said with a smile that wouldn't fade until tomorrow.
Silence. Alpha Eiden was shocked to hear me.
"Okay. We'll meet at the Sacred Mountain tomorrow morning!" Alpha Eiden said passionately, as if giving a speech. "I'll bring Beta Serena as a witness."