Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 60: Let's Go Home

The awaited chapter. . .

Sophie? Sophie who emailed me? Comment on this; this chapter is for you boo 

Celeste's POV

I keep waiting and waiting. 'Where are you?' I ask him for probably the hundredth time that day.

'On my way to you,' he assures me, a calmness to his voice. A certainty perhaps. Either way, he's told me this every time I've asked. Not once has he told me to stop asking or gotten annoyed with me.

I squint as I stare at the trees ahead, sure that Xavier will come out at any moment.

Lycer is quiet just a few steps behind me. There's a limp to his step that I don't ask about. I tried to make him rest just a few miles back and he seemed to get frustrated. I'd never seen Lycer get frustrated with me before. I stayed quiet after that.

A sound echoes through the forest and I stop. Familiar and fulfilling in a way a sound shouldn't be able to be.

'What's wrong?' I didn't realize I had stopped completely until Lycer's question came. I didn't respond.

Staring intensely at the trees before me, I wait. Then, it comes again. Clearly this time. "Celeste!" My heart stops then starts up with a vicious pattern.

"Xavier," I whisper. My feet take off running before my brain can even acknowledge a needed action.

The ground is icy below my feet and I don't care. My toes dig into the mushed earth as I run with all my might, my arm held tightly around my middle. Dodging trees and lightly tripping over roots, I quickly stumble forward.

And then I see him. I stop running but the world continues to spin around me. "Xavier?"

He takes a hesitant step forward. "Celeste?" He hurries his steps, stopping just in front of me.

"Xavier," I breathe out. My hand lifts, shaking until it lands on his chest.

His hand lifts, curling as he gently runs his fingers over my cheek. "Celeste."

"Xavier!" Shouts come from the direction he was coming from. He doesn't seem to care, not taking his eyes off me.

Until a bark comes from behind me. A quick glance reveals Lycer standing in wait. Dried blood mars his fur, making for an unsettling picture as he stares between Xavier and I.

Xavier is quick to pull me behind him, letting out a growl deep in his chest.

"Xavier!" Jacob emerges from the tree line, Josh following shortly behind in his wolf form. Jacob, and Xavier, both only wear shorts. Jacob is still pulling his up properly when he emerges from the trees. Jacob and Josh eye Lycer only for a moment before going into a defensive position.