KIERAN’S POV
Quite frankly, it was embarrassing how long it had taken to see Celeste’s performances for what they were.
Now, watching her knot her pale hands, lashes wet as artful tears rolled down, it was clear as day.
She wanted to step forward, to hush the whispers surging around us, to take her in my arms and apologize for all the hurt and heartache she’d gone through.
Once, I might have done it—let my affection for her blind to her wiles and sches.
But not tonight. Not after she so harshly and publicly accused of rigging the Trials in Sera’s favor.
The bruise to my pride throbbed, fresh and raw. Celeste hadn’t just questioned my judgnt—she had ripped my authority as Alpha apart, right in front of my pack, the world, my own son.
If it had been anyone else who’d challenged like that, they would have been ripped to pieces at my feet.
I wanted to think it was affection that held back. But in truth, it was pity; I couldn’t stop rembering her groveling in the Arena, begging Ashar to give her the talisman without a fight—and she had the nerve to claim I ceded victory to Sera.
And so I stood there, my silence stretching, my hands tightening into fists at my sides. That was all I could give her now—because if I spoke the words on my mind, we would both regret it.
“We’re all going to Mom’s celebration party,” Daniel’s small voice carried through the crowd. “Why don’t you co too, Aunt Celeste?”
I glanced down at my son in shock.
I hadn’t noticed him push himself forward, but now he stood before —chin lifted, hair in his eyes, calm in a way that struck with pride.
For the first ti, he had used that title—Aunt Celeste. It was neither affectionate nor warm. Polite. A gesture of grace and maturity that caught off guard.
For one tense mont, I thought it might work. That Celeste would see the olive branch for what it was and accept it.
But Celeste’s lips curled. “Fuck no,” she said, her tone sharp, final. “I’d rather die than join you all to celebrate a fraud.”
The tension in my jaw tightened to breaking point.
I heard Sera’s sharp intake of breath. Bless his heart, Daniel’s composure did not waver, but his eyes flickered once toward .
I squeezed his shoulder gently. I was so imnsely proud of him. It was no secret that he didn’t like Celeste, but he’d put his personal feelings aside to be kind to her, and sohow, she’d managed to be more childish than the nine-year-old.
“Co, love,” Sera’s voice cut through the dark cloud Celeste had cast like a rainbow. She wrapped a protective hand around Daniel’s shoulder. “That’s enough excitent for one day.”
My fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and pull them both back to my side. But I let them go, my gaze fixed ahead.
“You should rest, Celeste,” I said flatly, my tolerance at its end.
I glanced at my best friend, whose patience looked like it was dangling from the sa precarious thread mine was.
“Ethan, please see her ho.”
Celeste stiffened, her mouth parting.
Her tears stuttered—just for a heartbeat—then tumbled harder as she gave her all to the performance.
I turned away without another word and left all the theatrics and gas behind.
***
CELESTE’S POV
The words struck like ice water to the face.
‘Ethan, please see her ho.’
I hadn’t ant it. Gods above, I hadn’t ant it.
Kieran was supposed to see through my refusal, to know I was only bluffing. I just wanted him to push a little, to show that I was more important than his son and his ex-wife’s stupid fucking victory celebration.
But instead, his eyes were like stone. No warmth. No indulgence. Just cruel dismissal.
Panic rose in like a tidal wave as he turned away, heading for the rear exit.
I turned sharply to Ethan, searching for rescue. “Ethan,” I whispered. The tears that trembled down my cheeks this ti were authentic. “You won’t let him treat like this, will you? You’ll remind him who I am. You’ll remind him that my place is by his side.”
Ethan’s gaze, steady and cool, did not soften. “Kieran was right. You need rest, Celeste. You’ve been through enough for one night.”
I gasped. “Ethan—”
“I’m attending Sera’s party with Maya, so I’ll arrange for soone to take you to Mother. She’ll know how to care for you.”
“No!” The word burst from , too loud, too sharp, drawing more of those cursed eyes upon .
Heat flooded my face, and I lowered my voice quickly, fumbling to reclaim the image of fragility. “I an...I don’t want to trouble Mother tonight.”
Ethan only sighed. “It isn’t trouble. She’ll be glad to have you ho.”
Ho. The word cut deeper than he knew. The Lockwood Manor was no sanctuary—it was a prison of expectations, of reminders that I was to be flawless, admired, envied, and I couldn’t afford to be anything else.
But I saw in Ethan’s expression that it was already decided.
And Kieran. Kieran did not even look back at .
I wanted to scream. I wanted to claw the smug looks from every face that stared at , that compared unfavorably to her. To Sera. Always fucking Sera.
If only I had said yes. If only I had smiled at Daniel, taken the title “Aunt” with grace. I could be walking by Kieran’s side right this mont.
I could have veiled my disdain and attended the celebration by his side, all the while reminding him that I was his true equal. The only one fit to be his Luna.
But the mont had slipped.
And I was left with nothing but the cold certainty that I had misplayed my hand.
***
SERAPHINA’S POV
Trust Celeste and Kieran to find a way to eclipse my mont with their usual drama.
Before, I would have been pissed. Annoyed. Maybe even amused when she started to whimper and produce faux tears, and Kieran didn’t so much as bat an eye. Definitely triumphant that I’d bested her in the Trials.
But now, watching my so-called sister collapse into sobs, clutching at the remnants of her dignity, I felt...nothing.
The only thing that mattered to was Daniel.
I turned away from the spectacle to face my baby, my heart swelling all at once with love and pride.
His invitation had been so pure, so free of malice. Although I didn’t want Celeste within a thousand feet of my party, I would have welcod her with open arms for Daniel’s sake.
But she shattered his peace offering without hesitation.
As if I needed yet another reason to keep my son away from the she-devil.
“That was really mature and generous of you, baby,” I told Daniel, brushing his hair out of his eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”
Gods, I still couldn’t believe he was here. It felt like if I didn’t have my hands on him at all tis, he would disappear like a mirage.
Daniel squared his shoulders and lifted his chin, his young voice preternaturally firm as he spoke.
“Grandpa Christian always told that a true Alpha doesn’t let others’ moods sway him,” he began, his words carrying a sage clarity that made my heart clench. “He said emotions are bad leaders but good followers, and even if he doesn’t like soone, he shows them basic courtesy. Because the Alpha is not only himself—he is the example the pack follows.”
His words—so asured, so thoughtful—pierced . He was still a child, yet he carried himself with a composure that rivaled grown Alphas.
Pride—and sothing like grief collided within .
I was so impressed by the young man my son was growing into. But I couldn’t help but wonder if he wasn’t learning all these lessons too soon. Like his birthright as an Alpha’s heir ant he was missing out on the chance to be a carefree child.
Daniel went on, his small hand warm in mine. “I don’t like her, Mom. But she is still Grandpa Edward’s and Grandma Margaret’s daughter. So for their sake, I’ll treat her with respect.”
He glanced back and rolled his eyes at the sight of Celeste clinging to Ethan’s sleeve, sobbing. “Even if she doesn’t deserve it.”
I blinked away the tears that pricked at the corners of my eyes, my throat aching.
“You make so proud, Daniel,” I whispered, too soft for anyone else to hear. “More than you’ll ever know.”
He squeezed my hand. “Co on, Mom. Tonight is about you. Let’s go.”
“Yeah,” I sniffed. “Let’s.”
We walked together toward the front exit of the OTS main building. Behind us, Celeste’s sobs lingered, but I did not turn. I had no more energy to waste on her tantrums.
As the doors opened, cool night air rushed over us, and I took in a long, grateful breath.
This had probably been the longest day of my life. I’d woken up in a frozen cave, fought nearly to the death against a veritable beast (aka my ex-husband), won the Trials, got dragged—yet again—into the chaos of my sister and said ex-husband’s drama, and was now ending it all with the quiet, grounding warmth of my son’s hand in mine.
And then—two figures stepped from the shadows of waiting cars.
Lucian, all charm and smooth confidence, offered a smile that shone in his beautiful blue eyes. His sleek red car glead behind him, the passenger door already open as though prepared in advance.
At his side, Kieran stood, less polished but infinitely steadier, his dark gaze fixed on with enough intensity to lt steel. His Escalade sat idling nearby, its interior faintly lit.
Both n extended their hands at the sa ti, and my breath caught.
“Sera,” Lucian said smoothly, inclining his head. “Daniel. Allow .”
“That’s okay,” Kieran’s voice, quieter but firm, followed. “They can co with .”
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