Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 10 P.2: First Patrol and Ancillary

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Xavier's POV

Celeste, Zay, and Josh entered the pack house quietly. I couldn't help but study Celeste's body language. She was stiff, her hands pulling at the sleeves of my sweater she was wearing, eyes glancing up at me before darting downwards. "Hi," she whispered. Turning back to the other two, she said a quick thank you before walking upstairs; briefly giving me a smile.

"What happened?" I directed the question as calmly as I could though my wolf was growling.

"Nothing!" Josh said a little too quickly for my liking. I growled at him.

"He's telling the truth." I know he is, I could hear a lie decently easily. "We went out to the cafe in the square and she said she was feeling tired. The research says runts get tired easier but. . ." But she's not tired. Something happened.

I nodded. "Sorry, Josh."

"It's okay, I get it. Kind of." I rolled my eyes jokingly at him and he gave a grin.

Jogging upstairs, I knocked on Celeste's door. She opened it softly. "Hi."

"Hi," I give a smile, staring directly into her beautiful orbs. She takes a second before relaxing under my gaze. "Can we talk?" She nods and opens the door further, allowing me in. She hasn't changed anything in the room nor requested it in the few days she's been here. I still find myself walking to her door several times a night, sometimes falling asleep in the hallway outside. She takes a seat on the bed and bounces a little. I sit next to her, taking her hand in mine. "Are you okay?" She nods but otherwise stays silent. I rub a thumb over her knuckles. "Let me rephrase that. I know you're not okay." She catches my eyes and looks away again. "Please tell me why."

"I um. . ." She bites her lip. I want to pull it free, I almost do - my hand reaching up and dropping at her eyes widening. My wolf whines. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."

"Okay." We trail into silence again. I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles before turning her hand over and kissing her palm, bringing it to my cheek as she turns to watch intensely. "I'm scared," she whispers.

"Of me?" I take a leap to my fears.

"No!" Her hand puts some pressure, cupping my cheek. "No."

"Good." I kiss her palm again and she shies away, pulling her hand from my grasp. "Tell me your fears and I'll scare them away," I promise her. I am lucky enough to catch her eyes again, this time unwavering with notes of curiosity.

"I don't know who I can trust." Her honesty is appreciated, although it does leave a sting. "I want to trust you all but I don't know if I can," her eyes fill with tears which she immediately goes to wipe away. I beat her to it.

"How can I prove to you that you're safe here?" I bring her forehead to mine, rubbing my thumbs over the apples of her cheeks. "Tell me and I'll have it done."