Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 49: State

I see y'all new readers ~~~ welcome ~~~

Xavier's POV

The air feels too light for my current mood. A light cold wind whips around me, blowing the edges of my shirt up whenever I move my arms from my side. I'm at the clearing where I last spent time with Celeste. I needed. . . I wanted. . .

I don't know.

The water sounds harsher today despite the lighter flow of water, breaking into the small layer of ice that's trying to form on the small body of water. It won't fully freeze until the water stops flowing from the mountains, maybe in a few weeks. Then it'll be frozen all winter. Technically it's not even winter yet but the nip in the air says otherwise.

There's movement in the trees below and I squint my eyes, my shoulders taking on a tightness I don't feel they can handle with all my current stress. If it's a rogue, I'll beat them within an inch of their life for coming back onto my land. For coming here.

My feet are moving before I can even fully process that I've started walking. I move fast but carefully down the ledges leading below, snapping dead twigs and leaves underfoot. The leaves are cold and wet with frost.

I see the movement again. 'Who's out near the clearing?' I link to the entire pack. No response. I hold back a growl of irritation. "Who's out there?" The movement happens in the corner of my vision as I go into the tree line. I whip around. Nothing. The movement comes again at the other side of my vision. I turn. "Show yourself!" I inhale but there's no smell other than the cold crisp air. It's got to be a rogue then. The movement once again to my left. I turn.

And there she is.

"Celeste."

She turns to me, beautiful as ever. I look her up and down, not believing her to be there. To be here. With me. Not a scratch covers her.

"Celeste," I breathe the word again, unable to say anything else.

She begins to walk towards me, her steps slow; like we now have all the time in the world. I force my feet to move, taking large strides towards her. As soon as she's close enough, I reach for her. My hands are shaky as they find her soft cheeks. She leans into my hold, her hands finding my wrists.

She's cold. Goddess, her skin is freezing. I want nothing more than to pull her to me and to warm her in my embrace.

I take in the view around us and it's perfect. Too perfect.

She smiles, delicately and sweetly.

"You're not-" She shakes her head. "Where are you?" Her hands find my wrists, holding onto me firmly yet not firm at all. I let one of my hands drift to her waist. I can't make out the feeling of her clothes under my fingertips. The lack of these minute details and the perfection of her only speaks to the dream around me. I'm sure if I lost my concentration, my hands would fall right through her. "Where are you?" I repeat my question. She turns her head, pressing her lips to my wrist. "Please, baby. Help me find you."