Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Celeste's POV

Jax handed me the tin flask, and I hesitantly accepted it, taking a cautious sip under his encouragement. The sharp liquid slid down my throat, burning into my stomach like flames, and I coughed violently, tears streaming from my eyes.

"Haha! First time drinking? Your reaction is hilarious!" He laughed and patted my shoulder.

I glared at him with flushed cheeks, only to find the corners of my mouth involuntarily curving upward. This feeling was strange—not shame from "embarrassing myself," but pure, heartfelt joy.

"Come on," Jax patted the windowsill, "sit here."

I hesitated, but after his repeated invitations, I mustered the courage to sit by the window. The sea breeze blew past, carrying away the oppressive feeling of the day. We sat side by side, gazing at the distant sea, the tin flask passing between our hands.

In this brief moment of tranquility, the sound of distant waves surged into my ears again. Those shrill cries, desperate calls for help, the terror before death—all the pain flooded over me like a tide. I clutched my ears in agony, my body trembling from the intense pain.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jax's voice sounded distant.

I couldn't answer. Those voices grew louder and louder, like countless needles simultaneously piercing my brain. I wanted to scream, to run, but could do nothing.

Suddenly, a pair of warm palms covered my ears.

The world went silent.

Those wind sounds, wave sounds, crying sounds that had tormented me for years—all vanished. Only peace remained! The peace I had so desperately craved...

I opened my eyes wide, feeling the warmth emanating from beside my cheeks. Jax's face was close, his eyes filled with concern and a certain softness I couldn't understand. My cheeks gradually grew hot, my heart beating so fast I thought I might faint.

This thief—this boy who had suddenly entered my life—could actually soothe the incessant wind and wave sounds in my ears!

"My ears..." I heard myself say, my voice trembling in a way it never had before, "have never been this quiet."

Jax's expression became somewhat unnatural, but he didn't remove his hands. We stared at each other like this, moonlight flowing between us, time seemingly frozen.

My heart beat even faster. This feeling was unfamiliar, yet it made me want to stay in this moment forever.

But Jax suddenly stiffened. His gaze moved past my shoulder, looking down below the lighthouse, and he cursed under his breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"Someone's coming for us," Jax quickly withdrew his hands, the intimate atmosphere instantly shattered. "And they don't look friendly."

I turned to look down. Quillen was approaching the lighthouse with a blonde, blue-eyed Alpha and three imposing guards. The Alpha emanated a powerful, oppressive presence—even from this distance, I could feel his strength.

"Seal the lighthouse!" Quillen's voice carried up clearly. "No one goes in or out!"

Jax's face went pale. "Damn... if I'm caught, I'm dead."

I looked at his terrified expression, and a strong protective urge suddenly surged within me. This person—the first person to tell me "you're just an ordinary person"—couldn't be caught like this. He wasn't my friend; I'd only just learned his name. But in this cage-like lighthouse, he was the first person to make me feel free.

"I can help you," I heard myself say.

Jax froze. "What?"

"Hide under my priestess robe," I said quickly. "Escape through the cargo lift at the top of the lighthouse."

"Are you crazy?" Jax's eyes widened. "Those werewolves' noses are sharp! They'll smell me immediately!"

I bit my lip, my gaze falling on the mugwort on the table. It was an herb used to purify the air, with a very strong scent. I grabbed the mugwort and waved it over my robe. The pungent herbal smell immediately filled the air, masking all other scents in the room. My priestess robe was very wide, with a floor-length design that could indeed conceal a person.

"Will it work?" Jax asked hesitantly.

I looked into his eyes and said firmly, "We have to try."

Jax took a deep breath, then crawled under my robe. His body pressed against my legs, warmth seeping through the thin fabric, making my face redden even more.

"Don't move," I whispered. "No matter what happens, don't make a sound."

We began moving toward the exit. This concealment method looked simple but was incredibly difficult in practice. Jax's steps were completely out of sync with mine—every time I took a step, he had to shuffle along, our coordination utterly lacking.

"Can you slow down?" Jax muttered quietly from under the robe. "You're practically stepping on me!"

"Shut up!" I lowered my voice. "Do you want to be discovered?"

"I'm suffocating right now!"

"That's because you're breathing too hard!"

We stumbled forward like this, like a clumsy four-legged creature. If the situation weren't so urgent, the scene would have been comically absurd.

Just as we turned the corner, we came face to face with Quillen, the blonde Alpha, and three guards. My heart nearly stopped beating.

"Not fast enough?" Jax complained from under the robe. "I'm telling you, your walking speed—"

I quickly pressed my hand against the hem of the robe, trying to make him shut up. Jax's voice cut off abruptly, but I could feel him struggling.

"Goddess," Quillen bowed respectfully. "Allow me to introduce Alpha Julian of the Silver Moon Pack. It's so late—why aren't you resting?"

I forced myself to remain calm, my voice carrying the dignity befitting a goddess: "I need to listen to tomorrow's tides through the night. We cannot let innocent fishermen suffer losses again. Yesterday's mistake cannot be repeated."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Quillen's eyes. "You are truly merciful. Having your protection is Free Haven's blessing."

The Alpha named Julian also nodded in acknowledgment, his blue eyes holding a scrutinizing gaze.

I prepared to continue on my way, but just then, a faint greenish glow emanated from within my priestess robe.

"Wait!" Julian suddenly called out.

My heart sank.

What the hell was Jax doing?

"What's that light?" Julian's tone became serious.

My mind raced. Jax under the robe also froze—I could feel him holding his breath.

In a flash of inspiration, I raised my right hand... A ring glowed with a greenish light in the moonlight—my only personal possession, a dark green jade ring.

"Alpha, this is the only memento my biological father left me..." My voice carried just the right amount of sadness.

Quillen immediately picked up on my cue and began recounting my tragic background.

"The Goddess's father was once a ship captain who encountered a storm on a return voyage... That storm claimed his life." He paused, his tone growing more sorrowful. "This jade ring is the only thing that great captain left for the Goddess."

"No!" Quillen suddenly changed his tone, his voice full of pathos. "That great captain gave the Goddess such a gift—that is enough!"

Julian nodded thoughtfully.

I seized the opportunity: "I should get to work. I wish the Alpha a pleasant stay in Free Haven."

Then I dragged my robe forward, moving as smoothly as possible toward the rooftop. Every step felt like walking on knife's edge. I could feel Julian's gaze following me until I disappeared around the corner.