Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 54: Under the Snow

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Xavier's POV

Just under the snow, I catch her scent. Celeste was here.

The house is cute. Like a little old woman would live here and bake pies, kind of cute. Right up against the side of the mountain, it's hidden cleverly away between a wide crevice. As was told to us, the door is knocked down. That's where Celeste's scent is most clear, under the scent of several rogues and snow. Before we enter, as we wait for everyone to gather, I trace the scent as far as I can. I get maybe fifty yards back into the woods before it fades into an indiscernible mass of nature and cold.

'She's gone,' I link to Josh. 'They must have known we were coming. She's gone.'

'It could be a trick,' he tries to reassure. 'Let's investigate while we're here.' I huff, coming out of the tree lining and returning to the little house. 'Hey.' He nudges me. 'We'll find her.'

My breath gets caught in my throat, my eyes blurry as I look away. She has to be here. She has to be.

'Xavier.' My head snaps to Josh, snow beginning to fall on my shoulders. 'We're ready.' They are. Fifty wolves stand behind Josh, ready to enter the house. I take the lead, an anxious feeling bubbling just below my skin.

The interior of the house is also cute. It annoys me to think of how I can picture Celeste and I in a place like this. For as long as I can remember, the pack house has been my only home. When I was a kid, I used to run through the halls on Christmas mornings, a giggle bursting through me like a scream. My mom used to prop me up on the counter as she cooked dinner. When I was a teenager, I would seek solace in my room or the library. A moment away from training and with a good book was everything. When I became Alpha, I immediately started planning redecorations of the office. Of my room and the living room. A new era but one that was ultimately tied to home. Just several weeks ago, I bought paint chips for Celeste and I to go through. Yet another era that I was sure would turn to something much like this house in front of me. Celeste doesn't seek frilly colors but something about the texture of the curtains and pillows here ring distinctly with what I imagine she would like. If I focus even just a little, I can imagine the two of us swaying through the kitchen, the smell of chicken or a cake coming from the oven.

'Xavier.' Josh again. 'You okay?'

I nod and continue through the house. There was some sort of struggle here. Things are askew; the couch pushed at an awkward angle, an accent table tumbled on its side. In the kitchen, a large floor to ceiling cabinet is broken. Josh and the warriors follow behind me at a slow pace. Inside of the cabinet, there's a long tunnel leading back. 'It's here.' I look around my shoulders. 'Split up into the same groups from before. The tunnel is going to branch out and I don't know how far back it will go. If you are even the slightest bit unsure about something, if you feel like something is off, then retreat and call for backup. Got it?' A series of replies flow through the link.

Josh and I take the lead. I try to catch a scent, a hint of my mate, but all I can smell is this damp smell of rock and dirt. A few other scents that I push together as the scent of different rogues linger on some of the walls. Not far into the caves, there's a deep stain on the ground. I sniff at it generously, needing to assure myself that it's not Celeste's blood. Only when I'm satisfied that it's not, do I let Josh pull me further into the cave.