Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 37 P.1: Heat

Xavier's POV

Celeste's body seemed to turn against us both not long into the second day. One minute she would be so hot that she almost didn't want to touch me and the next she would be shivering, no amount of blankets or heating pads seeming to help her; all of it accompanied with aches and nausea. I would hold her to me, massaging her back or legs or arms while my wolf howled and huffed internally. Her scent seemed all the more enticing. One of the only reliefs that seemed to settle us both was the tracing of kisses up and down her neck, stopping to give generous attention to where I'll one day mark her forever. While this did bring a sense of relief to us both, it also brought me my own difficulties. The airy moans and little whimpers she let out had me testing new limits of my control. Control of my wolf.

Another relief found for her was sleep which seemed to find her easier in these moments of physical exertion and her unwell state. I struggled to find sleep, an instinct in me having more energy in order to protect her from a harm I knew was unlikely. Sure, we had enemies to be cautious of at this moment of time but the instinct came from another place. An unnecessary move of possession and jealousy. I found myself growling at every little noise while she slept atop me, her legs splayed out across me while her hands laid on my shoulder. Little snores left her lips that I found ultimately adorable.

Part of me took great pride in the fact that her wolf seemed content to rest as well, remembering that moment in her first week here when I caught her wolf watching over them both in Celeste's sleep. My eyes scanned the room, part of my brain looking for threats, and the rest merely observing this moment. The clock said it was just past noon. We didn't have breakfast, we couldn't skip lunch too.

'Who's on lunch duty today?' My mindlink went out to the full kitchen staff, having no clue as to what day it was or what the schedule is.

'Me, Alpha,' Hannah's voice rang into my head. Perfect.

'If you could bring the Luna and I lunch to my room. Not anything too heavy, decent protein with maybe a soup,' I sent, thinking of how her stomach isn't feeling too great right now.

'Yes, Alpha.'

'Thank you.' I cut the link.

I let my own eyes close for what felt like a moment. I was surprised when they opened only at a knock on the door. A loud growl rumbled out of my chest, only stopping at the sound of Celeste whimpering. I craned my neck as best as I could, casting my eyes to see her brows furrowed. Her hands clenched my shirt tightly. I rubbed up and down her back, mumbling soft reassurances in her ear. Her hands slowly loosened and her furrowed brows relaxed as she went back to steadily sleeping.

'Lunch is outside your door, Alpha.'

'Thank you, Hannah.'

"Celeste," I mumbled in her ear. "Wake up, little one. We need to eat." She mumbled something incoherent and I gave a small laugh. "C'mon, get up." I knead my fingers up and down her arms as she begins to stir. She groans.

"Xavier. ." Her voice comes out seemingly as a protest and she presses her face into my chest. "It hurts."

"What hurts?"

"Everything," she mumbled out.

"I'll link Zay, see if there's anything she can give you." She nods. "But for now, we need to eat." She nods again, pushing herself slowly up. The sight of her, hair frizzy from sleep and eyes scrunched up as she rubs one of them with a fist. I rest my hand on her hips and sit up, pressing my lips to hers. She squeals in surprise, her hand slowly moving from her eye to the side of my face. "Sorry," I mumble against her lips as I pull back. "I couldn't help myself."