Chapter 16 Eiden
Eiden's POV
“Are we going to be okay?” Liam asked, his gaze anxiously fixed ahead, seeing warriors from various werewolf packs standing in front of the gate.
I sat next to the driver. Meanwhile, Celeste, Liam, and Levi were behind me.
Werewolf and rogue clans have border gates with checkpoints we have to pass through. Sometimes it takes up to two hours.
“Don't worry,” I said to Liam. It seemed my words weren't convincing enough.
Yeah, I’m not the kind of Alpha known for being ruthless, and my pack doesn’t have many enemies, but still, every werewolf knows who I am.
“They’re not going to check this car.” I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out as we reached the gate.
I approached the five warriors.
“Alpha Eiden.” They bowed respectfully to me.
“You’re back, Alpha,” one of the warriors said, glancing at my car. “You didn’t need to get out of your car and meet us.”
“I know.” I nodded and handed them a bag of candy. They exchanged confused looks, but they couldn’t hide their smiles. “Just making sure you don’t slow me down. I want to get home already.”
“Do you think we’re kids, Alpha Eiden? Why candy? We prefer cigarettes,” one warrior said.
“You know exactly when this gate is quiet,” said the warrior standing in the middle. “How should I put this… are you cheating or just clever?”
“Hey, hey, cigarettes are terrible for your health. So eat some candy for once,” I said. “That whole pack will be gone by tonight if you eat one piece every hour.”
They chuckled and nodded.
“But eating too much candy isn’t healthy either,” said the warrior holding the pack.
“You’re only eating candy today.” I clicked my tongue and gave him a sharp look. “It’s not like you’re going to buy candy intentionally, right? You’d definitely choose cigarettes.”
They grinned broadly. Then they thanked me and let me through the gate. I cursed when they asked for chocolate and lollipops for their next meeting.
I sat in the car, watching them through the closed window. Even with it up, I could still hear their voices.
"See you later, Alpha Eiden." They bowed as they opened the gate, and our car drove into the werewolf clan's territory.
"Liam, Levi." I glanced back, realizing Celeste and Liam hadn't commented on what I'd done. They looked shocked.
“Bribery is wrong and strictly forbidden. Don’t ever let yourselves be tempted.” I shook my head with a serious look.
Liam and Levi nodded. Liam refrained from asking why I did it. Meanwhile, I was sure Levi didn't actually understand what I was saying.
The warrior drove us toward the River Pack Clan. The gate guards recognized my car instantly and opened the gate without bothering with a check.
I frowned when I realized Liam and Levi hadn't spoken at all since we entered the werewolf clan's territory. They were still tense and their faces pale, even though everything was fine.
I couldn't hide my enthusiastic smile as the car drew closer to my pack.
Gamma and Delta had already ensured Celeste’s, Liam’s, and Levi’s safety while they were here until they left the pack.
I wouldn't mind if word spread that I brought a woman with her two sons to my house or that I was dating her. But Celeste didn't want that to happen.
As the woman I’d hurt and abandoned, so of course she wanted nothing to do with me now. I understood her feelings.
“Welcome to my house,” I said with a bright smile that was the first time it had graced my face.
“Wow. It’s huge, it’s so cool.” Levi looked at my house in awe. I smiled and told him it was 200 years old. His mouth widened.
I led them into my house, dragging their suitcases. My heart pounded with excitement. The day had finally come. Liam was staying at my house.
“Do you guys want to see Liam’s room or Celeste and Levi’s house first?” I asked them as we stood in the living room.
My eyes accidentally fell on Celeste, and I unconsciously focused on her for a few seconds. She was gripping the strap of her shoulder bag tightly, looking around anxiously. She didn’t even notice my question.
“I want to see Liam’s room.”
“I want to see Mom and Levi’s house.”
Liam and Levi said simultaneously. They looked at each other in surprise and then grinned widely.
“So?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Mom. We’re confused.” Liam grabbed Celeste’s hand, snapping her mother out of her worry.
“Let’s go see Liam’s room.” I had guessed wrong. Celeste had heard my question.
We went to Liam’s room, which was on the first floor next to mine.
Liam examined the room thoughtfully. Celeste checked the mattress to see if it was comfortable to sleep on.
“Do you like your room?” I asked Liam questioningly.
“Yes, I do.” Liam touched the sheets with robot-patterned. I hadn’t made this room resemble his; I’d asked Celeste what Liam liked.
Celeste put Liam's clothes in the closet. Then we left the room.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.” Beta Serena smiled broadly and waved. I only allow her to enter my house while Celeste and her two sons are in my home. It was a way to avoid attracting enemy attention.
“I'm Beta Serena.” She introduced herself to Celeste, Liam, and Levi. She hugged and kissed Celeste. I couldn't help but notice the fact that Beta Serena brought peace to Celeste's heart.
We went to the house Celeste and Levi would be living in. Celeste was still chatting with Beta Serena as she walked behind me.
“Secret passageway,” Liam whispered to Levi.
We took the secret passageway to the house where Celeste and Levi would be staying. My place sat between the warrior camp and the pack’s staff building, with a forest behind it that the warriors often used for training.
No one could enter that forest area. Therefore, it was a good and safe place to build a house with only a bedroom and a living room.
“Whoa, what a cute little house!” Levi clapped his hands.
I opened the door to the house that had just been finished two days ago. Celeste and Levi stared at the simple place in awe.
“I’m so sorry I made you stay in this house,” I said uneasily. “If this house isn’t comfortable, you can stay at mine. I’ve prepared rooms for you.”
“This house took five days to build,” Beta Serena explained. “We couldn’t find a safe place to stay other than this small house.” She scratched her head and grimaced. “I’m not sure this can be called a house. I think it’s a shack.”
Celeste and Levi didn't seem to mind. Liam even sat down next to the bed as if he wanted to sleep here.
"Staying at Alpha's house is much better, isn't it?" Beta Serena tried to persuade Celeste. "Don't worry. Everyone who works at his house is trustworthy."
"I know this isn't what we agreed on," I told Celeste. "Trust me, I've been trying to find a house for you and Levi near my house."
Celeste went quiet as she took in the house and her boys. Liam and Levi were leaning out the window, yelling excitedly at a squirrel.
Celeste took a deep breath. She was making a difficult decision. “You’ve made sure this place is safe from all creatures, right?”
“Yes, of course.” I nodded. “No animals will come near this place.”
“Levi and I will stay here,” Celeste said confidently.
They were already in my house. My heart was pounding because it was the first time my home had guests.
'They look like your wife and two sons, don’t they?' My wolf teased me. Damn it.