Celestine's POV
“AUBREY WILL REPLACE CELESTINE AS THE LUNA.”
The rumors were unrelenting, whirling about me like a never-ending hurricane. The remarks cut deep into my heart, reopening scars that refused to heal. They were first excruciatingly painful, sucking blood from the deepest depths of my soul. However, over time, they left me with something worse: emptiness.
I battled hard to keep Sebastian, my mate and Alpha, with me. But each day, the struggle felt fruitless, and my strength dwindled. Love had transformed into a hollow shell, and all I could do was survive.
That night, I waited for him, sitting alone in the silence of our home. When the door creaked open, his footsteps felt like thunder in the quiet.
“S-Sebastian—” I called out softly, but he didn’t respond. He set his phone on the table, its screen lighting up briefly with a message. My heart sank as I picked it up.
To: Aubrey
Sorry for keeping you waiting. I’ll make it up to you. Dinner tonight?
From: Aubrey
That’s a promise!
The words blurred as my tears fell. My fingers trembled as I placed the phone back, suppressing the scream building in my throat. I retreated to the bedroom, staring at the ceiling until dawn broke.
The next morning, I woke to the smell of cooking. Entering the kitchen, I saw Sebastian standing at the stove. He turned to greet me with a plate in hand. “Good morning.”
“Eggs and vegetables?” I said, frowning. “I would’ve preferred bacon.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be ungrateful.”
“I’m not ungrateful—”
“Then stop complaining,” he snapped, his tone cold.
Breakfast passed in tense silence. My thoughts swirled, drowning me until his raised voice brought me back.
“Celestine!” he barked, glaring at me. “Pay attention when I’m talking.”
“S-Sorry…”
He smirked bitterly. “Always playing the victim, aren’t you? Why are you acting like this? Isn’t everything I’ve given you enough?”
Everything. Material comforts, yes. But never his love.
Then his phone beeped again. Unable to stop myself, I muttered, “Is it Aubrey again?”
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “Stop acting immature!”
“Me? Immature?”
“You’re unreasonable,” he hissed before rising from his seat.
“Where are you going?” I asked, though I already knew.
“Aubrey needs me.”
•••
By midday, I overheard whispers that Aubrey had fallen ill and was resting in the pack’s clinic. “The Alpha’s secretary isn’t feeling well,” one of the servants said. “He’s been with her since morning.”
And of course, he had.
Hours later, his voice pierced my mind through the pack’s mindlink: “Celestine, make Aubrey some carrot soup. But don’t come to the clinic.”
My chest tightened as I responded. “I’ll prepare it right away.”
In the kitchen, I worked in silence, chopping and stirring. The soup I poured into a container carried the last fragments of my care. Yet when I sent it to the clinic, I couldn’t resist also gathering a fruit basket and heading there myself.
When I entered the clinic, the sterile scent stung my nose. Aubrey’s room was quiet except for murmured voices. Pushing the door open, I saw her lying on the bed with Sebastian at her side, his hand clasping hers.
“Why are you here?” he asked flatly, his tone devoid of warmth.
“Luna,” Aubrey greeted with a faint smile. The title sounded like mockery. You hold the rank, but I hold his heart. That's what it felt like to me.
“I brought you some fruit,” I said, placing the basket by her bedside.
Aubrey took a peach, murmuring her thanks. Her expression was polite, yet her victory was evident.
Sebastian’s gaze brushed past me without acknowledgment. My stomach churned. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something that twisted the knife deeper.
By the window sat the untouched container of soup I had made. Beside it, a stray dog lazily licked the remnants from the bowl.
My throat tightened. They hadn’t even tasted it.
“I’ll leave you to rest,” I managed, my voice steady despite the tremor threatening to break through. Aubrey nodded, while Sebastian didn’t spare me a second glance.
Back at home, I shut the door behind me, sliding down to the floor. The tears I had fought so hard to hold back came crashing down.
Why is he so cruel to me?
