Chapter 17

2 weeks later...

Celeste's POV

For the past couple days, it has come to my attention that limited access to the outside world can pretty much turn a person pathologically hysterical. And mild claustrophobe.

Yesterday, I had hallucinations of Fluffy stalking me around the house and when I angrily called out Greyson's name, he was in fact...not there. You can imaging the faces people gave me when they saw me searching inside kitchen cabinets for an overgrown werewolf. People from Greyson's pack kept a weary distance from me. Either Greyson or Bennett told them to give me space, or I've successfully labeled myself the village idiot and they are repulsed by my strange behavior.

I really need fresh air. I miss being able to look up and peer at the sky, not count the tiles on the ceiling. If I attempted to leave the house, someone would be hot on my tail.

The days have passed by so fast, but to me it seems like forever. Greyson has rarely been home and when I do see him, it's usually late at night when I'm too tired to kick him off the bed. When I wake up the next morning, he's already gone and the space next to me is cold and crumbled with his musky scent left as proof that he was there.

"How are you darling?" Laura asks, like almost every day.

And I always reply with the same word. "Fine."

Her eyes twinkle as if she has some grand magic trick up her sleeve. "Really? I thought you'd be more excited than that?"

"Why would you say that?" It's been so long since I've looked at a calendar, I can't tell if it's Monday, or Friday.

She fiddled her fingers across the soft surface of her cotton dress. "Vincent got released this morning." My brain didn't process the information quick enough. I looked at her thinking so what? And then...

My eyes widened. "It's been two weeks?" Today is the day!

"Bennett will allow him to leave tonight."

He's going to see my sister! I'm going to see Charlotte!

The excitement precedes me and I'm on my feet running up the stairs before Laura could say, "Where are you going?"

After reaching Greyson's room-the room I've inhabited for the past few days-I opened the polo shirt drawer and searched for the object that I hid at the back corner. I knew Greyson would never touch this drawer, so this was the perfect place to hide this. When I found it, I slipped it inside my back pocket for later use.

"Celeste, what are you doing?"

Shit.

I slowly got up and pushed the drawer closed with my hip. Greyson stood, leaning against the door frame watching me suspiciously.

"What are you looking at?" I placed my hands on my hips, looking seemingly innocent.

He looked at me and smirked. "What were you doing?"

"That's none of your business."

"I've made everything, evolving you, my business after that suicide attempt you performed with the window." He strode over to where I stood and peered behind my shoulder to see what I could possibly be hiding from him.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself, drama queen! I was behaving like an ordinary person who is held hostage against her will." I turned at an angle to keep him from viewing the slight bulge in my back pocket.

"Even desperate people won't climb out a second story window. They'd be smart enough to try it in the first floor. You're the only lunatic I know who would try."

Did I just hear a vein snap?

Oh, that does it! "Do you know where the word lunatic derived from? It's Latin from the word lunaticus, which is referred to people who have gone mad during the night of a full moon. That's were folklore conjured up the idea of werewolves! So don't shit with me and call me a lunatic, because you're the only lunatic wolf around here buddy!"

Where's the trophy I deserve? The expression on his face is pure gold. Serves him right for messing with me! Next time he better think twice before calling me any stupid name.

I walks around him, dramatically stomping my feet on the floor and slammed the door on my way out.

"Well look at you miss ice queen. You've got the big bad Alpha frozen on his feet." The voice came from someone I didn't want to see right now. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed like a cocky ass prick. I haven't seen him in weeks and now he suddenly shows up uninvited.

"What do you want Leo?"

He smirked and closed his eyes. It irks me that this guy is supposed to be a police officer.

"I talked to your sister a few weeks ago." I'm pulling on the fabric of my shirt and grinding my teeth. "She looked to be doing fine. I was notified by the hospital that she was released a couple days after her admission and other than the permanent scar on her shoulder, she is spotless."

If our roles were switched, I bet he wouldn't act so calm with his brother in the hospital.

I tell myself to calm down and take a deep breath. "Did you tell her about all this?" My fragile sister exposed to the madness of all this, I can't even imagine her reaction.

"I did." He says.

The door opens behind me and Greyson walks out like a timid child that just awkwardly walked into a conversation he wasn't supposed to overhear.

Pretending to ignore him, I addressed Leo. "How did she react?"

He snickered, before taking a couple paces towards the stairs. "Better than you, that's all I'm going to say. Vincent will take her here tonight. She won't stay overnight, however."

"Why does she get to go home?" Not that I'm complaining, but I would like to be able to go back too.

Leo looks past me and doesn't answer. Whatever look Greyson gave him indicated his time to leave. As if on instinct, I jerked my hand away from him when he tried to grab it.

"I'm sorry for..." He can't even explain himself.

"Apology not accepted. Now tell me why Charlotte gets to go home?"

"Like I said before, her life isn't threatened. She isn't my mate-you are. And the reason she has been allowed to come here and see you is that dad wants to personally meet her."

Bennett wants to personally talk to my sister?

This time, I'm not fast enough to stop him. He grabs my hand and coils his fingers between mine.

I groan. "You are so annoying!"

He chuckles showing me his perfect white teeth. "Ditto."

A few hours later, the house is crowded with people. People I have no clue who they are, but I'm guessing by the way they address Greyson as their "future alpha" they are part of this so-called pack.

"It's been two weeks, Celeste. I think now's the perfect time to introduce you to the pack, while they've all gathered here to celebrate the new wolves." Laura hugs me from behind and her big burly husband follows suit, intimidating as always. "I knew you would look gorgeous in that dress!" Laura giggles and admires her work.

The dress was made specifically for a special affair. It was pearl white and silky. It contrasted my tan skin and made me glow. I'm sure anyone could find me if I drove into a large crowd. It had an illusion neckline with diamond encrusted lace flower patterns that modestly covered parts of my cleavage.

It was so stunning, I felt unworthy wearing it. When I saw myself in the mirror, I didn't even recognize myself. The fabric is magic, I kid you not! Because I swear my body never felt, or looked so perfect to me before. The cloth wrapped around my curves and gave me tall, slender figure eight figure. If I were given the option, I would wear this dress to death. Okay, now I need to knock on wood...

This dress, which Luisa has forced me to wear tonight, has to be worth ten times more than the bargain dress I wore to my high school prom. High school-Gawd, those memories have been discarded from my brain for good.

"You have great taste mom." Lexie commented, looking at the elegant lace design on the base of my neck.

Laura held her chin up and smiled smugly. I can see where Greyson gets the ego from. "Where do you think you got your brain and brawn, honey?"

"This kind of hurts." I said under my breath and looked at my now reddening feet.

I don't know how some woman can walk around in heels all day. It's pure torture.

Why do expensive clothes that look good always have to feel so uncomfortable? Pretty hurts...

Lexie's eyes sparkled in excitement. "Oh, would you like me to apply makeup on you?!"

I only applied a small amount of eyeliner, mascara and a touch of lipstick-compliments to Laura.

"I-

"Don't dare touch her face. My mate is beautiful with her natural looks." My heart feels like a bullet train.

A hand snakes around my waste and pulls me to a solid torso. I can feel him nudge the back of my head with his nose. Taking a whiff of the perfume Laura also gave me this evening. Without looking I already know who this person is. "Are you ready to meet the pack?" He asks.

He's holding me like a piece of possession again and I'm inclined to give him a taste of my bite. I throw a glare over my shoulder and... Holy shit.

Greyson in a suit,

An astronaut suit? Nah...

A jump suit? Not even close...

He was in a James Bond suit. Explosive.

"Here you need this." Leo walked up from behind Greyson and handed me the handkerchief in his front pocket of his suit.

I snapped out of my daze and looked at Leo in confusion. "Why do I need that?"

"You're drooling." He snorted unattractively.

Gasping, I cover my mouth and grabbed his handkerchief.

Leo bursts into laughter and clutches his stomach. "Oh my god, your face!"

A few snickers came from the group behind me. That's when I realize Leo was lying.

My face burns up in embarrassment. "Leonardo, you...URG!" I throw his handkerchief at his face and he catches it with one hand, eyes closed. A few girls watching from a few meters away giggle flirtatiously and he grins haughtily to himself.

What a show off!

"That's enough, you had your laugh." Greyson hit him on the back of the head making him grunt. Despite the firmness in Greyson's voice, the faint hint of a smile on across his face tells me he was amused by my reaction as well. He was obviously pleased that I was caught ogling at him.

"Let's get this party started!" Laura claps her hands together and intertwines her arm around Bennett's.

Greyson nods and turns to face me, bowing graciously like a perfect gentleman. I was never taught formal etiquette, so instead of bowing back like I think I was supposed to, I stare at his open palm awkwardly like an idiot.

The same group of giggling girls whisper to themselves and eye me enviously. Suddenly I feel overwhelmed by the numerous pairs of eyes now watching my every action.

I hate being center of attention.

My heart starts pounding and I feel like the room is closing up on me. My head tightens and my body feels really warm.

"Hey."

I look up and meet Greyson's piercing crystal eyes. "Hey." I respond back.

He closes in on me and for a second, I think he's about to kiss my cheek. Instead, he grasps my forearm and pulls me into his hold and presses my face into his chest. He smells wonderful.

"Breathe." He whispers for only my ears. "Relax. I'll be right next to you the whole night. I will introduce you to everyone and I promise you will love them." He set his hand on the small of my back. "Trust me."

I want to this very moment. Really, I do. However, a part of me still resents him for what he his and the world he had brought me to.

"Alpha Grey, don't start making out with your girl yet! The party's just got started!" Leo smacked Greyson in the back and laughed like a man drunk, but his eyes looked completely sober. "Come on Celeste, my parents are here tonight."

He steals my hand from Greyson and drags me across the room; the crowd parts like the Red Sea upon our arrival. My dress is so long, it's dragging behind me, so I grab the soft fabric and lift the hem from the floor.

True to his word, Greyson shadows my footsteps and makes sure we are in close eye range of each other.

"Mom, dad! Look who I have!"

Debbie is in a red cocktail dress with Robert in a black and white tie suit. Both have a wine glass in their hands and a friendly smile on their faces. When Debbie see's me she is stunned silent. Her lips have formed an O shape and she stares me down.

"Honey...I can barely recognize you! I'm breathless!" She stretched her arms to give me a hug, but I shake from Leo's grasp and slowly walk back towards Greyson's side.

I glare at her. "You knew."

Her expression falls. "Honey, I didn't know you would be the one Taken."

"And if you had known, would you have warned me?" Her silence gave me the answer. "You're my mom's best friend, how could you not have told her about the danger my family was in?" She looks stunned and guilt ridden. Robert takes her hand but doesn't look at me in the face. He also has guilt written on his face.

Leo clenches his teeth and takes a step forward to defend his mother, but Greyson stops him.

Greyson places his hand softly on my hip. "Celeste, please. Now is not the time to have this conversation." I look around the large room and realize I've created somewhat of an audience. Like a scene from a haunted movie, the lights slowly start to dim and the velvet red curtains that drape the tall windows slide open. The room is filled with the light of the full moon. The sound of a grandfather clock sticking the midnight mark echoes across the room.

After what happened in my room, during the eclipse, darkness has become something I've associated with ill-fated events. All I can hear is people's voices whispering.

"Greyson." I mutter.

"I'm right here." I can still feel his hand on my hip.

"What's happening?"

"The ceremony has started."

A howl comes from outside and another one follows after it. Greyson releases his hand from my hip and I lose his warm. For some reason that bothers me and I panic in fear for being left alone. I can't see anything!

"Greyson," I scream.

That idiot promised he would be by my side the whole night!

"Celeste, I haven't left you."

I search for him by swinging my arms back and for, hoping to find him and punch him for leaving me. "Where are you?"

I hear him sigh. I'm the one frustrated, why should he be sighing? "I've been following behind you." Once again I feel his familiar warmth touching the side of my face. Without hesitation, I grab his hand with both my hands and hold on tight.

"Don't let go. I can't see a thing!" I nag, but honestly I'm glad I have him where I want him.

"Can you see me now?" He asks.

Following the sound of his voice, I lookup. Fireflies. No, they aren't fireflies. The two glowing circles were his eyes. When I looked around the room, there were more hundreds of glowing lights on all corners of the room.

"How are you able to do that?"

"Werewolf, remember? My eyes glow when a faint about of light (the moonlight) reflects on them."

"Then how come I saw them during the eclipse. There was no moon."

"That I can't explain. For some reason, my eyes glow naturally on eclipses. No light required." A glow stick comes to mind and I'm smiling to myself. "I can see in the dark you know. I see you laughing. What are you thinking?"

"Nothing."

"I WELCOME EVERYONE TO MY HUMBLE HOME. IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE WE HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER!" Bennett's booming voice, silences the room. "Three of our pups have reached maturity and we celebrate today for this milestone in their lives. They well make their first grand appearance as a full-fledged wolf later today, as soon as all of them have come back from their night hunt.

"Also, another important announcement: One that we hope to hear every quarter century. My son, our future Alpha has successfully Taken his bride. Her introduction is rather late, but we thought better late then never right?" Bennett's humor in the end lightened the crowd. Everyone cheered as Bennett asked for applause. Laura made a small speech thanking everyone for coming and wishing everyone enjoyment for the rest of the night.

"Later today, Greyson will escort Celeste to the dance floor to start out first slow dance of the night!"

No one told me about that!

"I'm not going." I stomp my foot.

"Oh yes you are. As Alphas, we can't disappoint our pack."

Always about the pack...

"When is Charlotte arriving?" I was starting to get impatient and she has not showed up yet.

"Maybe she's giving Vincent a hard time too, like someone else I know." He was teasing me.

Unlike me, he can see the expression on my face. So when he saw the frown on my face he patted the top of my head and sighed against the nape of my neck. "You have to take a joke sometimes Celeste. Don't be so uptight all the time. If you want me to cool down on the jokes, then you should also lighten up with me too. Your stubbornness fuels my wolf. I can't help messing with you."

His hand circles across my back in small circular patterns. It feels so comforting and I allow myself to relax in his touch.

"Did I forget to tell you that you look quite lovely?"

Oh gawd. Is he smooth talking me?

My knees are literally shaking.

"Greyson, did you hear that?" Leo's voice cuts in.

Five seconds, I don't hear a word coming from them.

"What-

Before I could finish that sentence, one of the tall windows shatter and a shadowed figure collapses into the room. Greyson uses his body to cover me from the shattered glass and he has my face muffled into his chest to protect my head.

"What the hell was that?" I hear Robert cursing and Bennett giving orders to escort the women to safety.

Snarling, barking, whimpering sounds are coming form the figure-or should I say figures, as in plural.

"Get those wolves off each other!" Bennett orders.

The lights turn back on. The room is littered with broken glass and smears of blood on the floor. Most of the blood is from the two wolves wrestling on the ground.

"Vincent!" Leo yells at the caramel wolf.

The grey wolf is hell bent on killing Vincent.

"Celeste!" Greyson yells at me to grab my attention. "Your sister, is that her?"

He points at the crying figure outside the house. There she was, my little sister-crying on the ground and facing the shattered glass. Although I told myself not to do it again, I go ahead and do it anyway. I jump out the window and head towards Charlotte.

At least this time, it's the first floor and I'm not running away.

"Charlotte!" I cry.

She doesn't hear me, but as soon as I have her in my arms, she cries louder realizing we were together again.

"Celeste, Celeste...Oh my god, it's really you! You're alive! You're ALIVE!" She cries.

I shush her. "I'm alive." Tears pour down my face.

"Celeste, wait! We have to stop them!"

"Stop who." We both release from out hug.

"Vincent and-

She coughs and stumbles on her words.

"Celeste, get back inside." Greyson helps me up on my feet like I weighed nothing more than a pound of rice.

"Hey, let go of her!" Charlotte yells, punching Greyson in the arm.

She doesn't stop, even when I tell her to. "It's alright Charlotte, he's not going to hurt me, but he did kidnap me."

"You kidnapped her!" That made her more furious. "You asshole, do you know how terrible you are!"

Greyson's head snapped towards the opposite direction and he grabs my hand. "Shit!" Whatever he saw wasn't good, because he grabbed Charlotte too and throws her over his shoulder.

He's running so fast, I can't keep up.

"Slow down!" I yell.

"He's chasing us!"

"Who!"

Without warning, a wolf pounces right in front of us. His open jaw heads straight for Greyson's neck. Greyson lets go of Charlotte just in time for her to roll out of his arms and safely away from the attacking wolf.

Charlotte screams. "Trent, NOOOO!"

NOTE: Dec 24, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS YOU FREAKISHLY AMAZING PEOPLE!!! I'M BACK!!! I've graduated and I'm ready to write again after a year of constant chaos. I have edited this book again so you will find some changes to the style of writing. This book has been closed off from the public but I have made it visible once more. SO YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL, you marshmallows! Let's make one thing clear though IF YOU COPY MY BOOK...I WILL FIND YOU.

BE WARNED. xo