Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 34-Fractured Distance

I chugged the drink in my hand, feeling the burn slide down my throat as I clenched my jaw. The alcohol's warmth hit hard, but it did nothing to ease the tension in my chest. I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself, but the frustration only grew.

It had been days since I noticed the shift with Arwen. She didn't say anything directly, but her actions spoke louder than words. There was a growing space between us—a distance I couldn't quite explain. It was as if she was building a wall, brick by brick, keeping me out.

I took another swig of the drink, the bitterness matching the frustration gnawing at me.

"Damn it!" I hissed under my breath, slamming the glass down. My hands flexed, unclenching and clenching in a futile attempt to calm myself. Anger, sharp and raw, mixed with something worse—despair. It was eating away at me, this helplessness, this not knowing why she was pulling away.

I could feel it, this slow unraveling. It was suffocating.

I palmed my face, still drowning in the turmoil I felt. The gnawing frustration, the unanswered questions about Arwen—it was all too much.

"Alpha..." I heard Finn's voice, cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

I didn't respond. Instead, I took another long drink, letting the burn distract me from the emotional storm brewing inside. But even the alcohol couldn't dull the ache that was clawing at me.

"I received a communication from the palace," Finn continued, his voice steady and businesslike. He was always composed, especially in moments like these. After all, as my Beta, he understood the weight of duty better than anyone. "The King would like to see you."

The words hung heavy in the air. I felt their weight but still said nothing. Finn knew better than to push.

I am the crown prince of the Kingdom of Lycan, destined to rule. A fact that has shaped my entire life. Every decision, every step I take, is burdened by the expectations of the throne. Leadership, strength, and loyalty are what's demanded of me—qualities ingrained in me since birth. But being the heir to the kingdom is more than just a title. It means living with the constant pressure of serving not only my people but also upholding the legacy of my ancestors.

And now, with my personal life spiraling out of control, it felt like too much all at once.

The King—my father—was summoning me, and I knew what that meant. Something was coming, something I couldn't avoid, and no amount of alcohol could numb the responsibility that awaited me.

"Yes, Finn—what is it all about?" I hissed, pouring another drink down my throat, the liquid fire only partially easing the tension in my chest.

Finn's expression was grave, his brow furrowed as he gathered his thoughts. "There have been reports of attacks in southwestern Europe. It's the wolf packs that have been targeted. They're capturing women and children while systematically killing the males. All the reports from that territory show the same pattern."

I frowned, the weight of his words settling over me like a dark cloud. I stood from the barstool, the scrape of wood against floor echoing in the tense silence. I walked toward the balcony, needing the fresh air to clear my head, though I knew it would do little to dissipate the storm brewing within.

"What do you mean?" I asked, turning to face him, my heart pounding in anticipation of what was to come.

"Those who are attacking have a clear objective," Finn explained, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "They're gathering all the females and pups. All of the casualties are male—no females or children have been left behind."