Alpha Markus and Celeste

Chapter 46

Chapter 46 – Markus

Markus P.O.V.

I sighed. “Celeste is a complicated conversation,” I said.

“You don’t say?” he laughed, passing me a scotch. I took a long drink and looked down at her sleeping

face, cleaning the tears from

her cheeks with my hand as I pondered where to start.

“You remember me mentioning that Celeste is the last remaining Ranked member of the Sky Moon

Pack. An Alpha female.”

“Yes, and if you don’t mind my bluntness, that’s quite the mate.”

I laughed. “That’s not even the half of it.” I looked him in the eye, “What I’m about to say is something

only a handful of people know. It needs to stay that way or Celeste could be placed in danger. I am

trusting you because you have been my friend for as long as I’ve

been alive.”

“Understood,” he answered.

“Celeste is part of an ancient Alpha bloodline, through her mother’s side. It dates back to Aztec times.

All the females of her bloodline have a few gifts given to her by the moon goddess. They have been

hunted down for her powers for generations. This is why we

are trying to keep her abilities a secret.” I gave him the condensed version.

“So the glow….”

“She has the ability to heal her people, if the goddess so chooses it. She cannot really control who it

works on or how, as far as we

know. It is not so much her gift as she is a conduit for the goddess to right some wrongs.”

“How do you know all of this?” he asked.

“Research and Celeste had a visit from the goddess while she was gone for two days last week,” I said,

“I know it’s a lot of take in and

to believe…” He held up a hand.

“Let me repay the same trust you have placed in me. I have no reason to doubt you or Celeste. I can

honestly say I have yet to meet someone as pure of heart as she, specially considering everything she

has gone through. I believe you. You have my word that I will keep her secret as well as my support if it

is ever needed. Just keep the treats coming.”

I laughed, relieved and thankful. “I am glad to call you friend.”

“As am I. You have always been there to lend a hand when we’ve needed it. It’s only fair to be able to © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

return the favor,” he said as he

went to grab another treat from the Tupperware. “It really isn’t fair that she’s so good at baking. My

cook has been trying those recipes of

hers and they just don’t taste the same.”

“You’re always welcome to come grab some. I always keep a big batch of goodies for the Packhouse,”

Celeste said, getting up from my lap, surprising us both…

Are you OK Tuli?’I asked her.

She nodded and squeezed my hand as she stood to a sitting position. I’m fine.’ I could feel the truth

through the bond. Although I

could feel her grief, I could also feel the peace finding him brought to her.

“I might take you up on that. Or maybe I can convince you to sell me some around the holidays. I know

the Pack would go nuts.

“Perhaps we can do some sort of combined event soon?” She asked, “I know it’s not usual for packs,

but if we time it around a full

moon, we could create an opportunity for our unmated Pack members to possibly find their mates.”

“That is an interesting concept. I don’t see why not. Why don’t I talk to my Beta’s mate. She can get in

touch with you to figure what

works best for everyone?” he said.

“It’s probably good to instill that kinship between the two packs. We are close enough to each other. It’s

time for our friendship to extend past just us,” I said.

“That’s settled then. One or two of these events a year should bring the two packs closer together.”

“Of course. Some of my people are already getting him ready for transport. When would you like us to

take him?”

“Today, he has waited enough to be at peace. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome. I cannot thank

you and your staff enough for all the care you gave him all these years. You gave us both closure.” He

nodded at her, his eyes glazing as he mind linked his people. She turned to me. “I would like Maya and

Ruby to be there. They might not remember him, but he deserves to have his people around him,”

she said.

“Danny, Gillian and I will prepare the pyre ourselves. It’s the least he deserves,” I said, bringing out my

phone to send out texts.

“He will be ready in about an hour. His nurse and some of the staff would like to say goodbye. I will also

be attending. I insist you stay for lunch, and we can meet your people at your parents’ grounds?”

“That sounds good to me. Could I use your facilities?” Celeste asked.

“Down the hall on your left before you reach the foyer,” he said. Celeste kissed my hand and left the

room.

“Is she really OK?” Rhett asked.

“I think so. She is grieving, but I can sense she’s at peace with it.”

“I envy you that kind of connection,” he said.

“At one point, I hoped to never find my mate. I am happy the moon goddess ignored my idiotic request.

I didn’t know how much! needed her in my life. She makes me complete. I hope you find your own

soon. It’s really another level of happiness I couldn’t have imagined,” I answered honestly.

“Why didn’t you want a mate?” He asked, curious. No one outside the pack knew of what had

happened to my dad as I had already

taken over as Alpha.

“My father lost my mother when I was 5. You know he raised me for a long time by himself. At some

point, I believe he got lonely and

he chose a mate shortly after retiring.” My eyes darkened. “His chosen mate eventually found her

destined mate some months later and

left him, but even though she replaced my father’s mark on her, my father still felt the pain when she

bedded her mate.” Rhett’s eyes

went up at that. “He suffered for 3 years and then by the moon goddess’ grace, she gave him a second

chance mate and he was finally able to have peace. When that happened, I decided I didn’t want or

need a mate. I didn’t want that kind of pain. I never sought mine after that but the moon goddess had

other plans for me.” I sighed. “A part of me wonders if I would have been able to spare Celeste some

pain

if I had looked for her sooner,” I admitted.

He shook his head. “Didn’t Celeste only turn 19 less than a year ago? Perhaps you not looking spared

you the disappointment of not

finding her for the last 6 years. Something I’m very familiar with,” he smirked dryly.

“I never thought of it that way. I do hope the moon goddess grants you the same happiness she has

given me,” I said.

“As dol my friend. Maybe she’s just coming of age like yours. I am only 23…Perhaps I should start

making my rounds during the full moons soon.”

“Well, you’ll be coming to the Luna Ceremony this month. Plenty of people from around the other packs

will come. Maybe you can find her there,” I said.

“From your lips….” He laughed.

‘He will. The moon goddess told me so,’ Celeste mind linked me while coming in. ‘But let’s keep it

between us. We don’t need him smelling every woman at the ceremony.’

I just about choked on the last of my scotch at her joke as I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up

from my chest. Atlas was

hollering on his back.

“What’s so funny?” Rhett asked suspiciously.

“Oh, I just told Markus if your mate knows how to cook, we might need to buy you a treadmill as a

congratulatory present so you

don’t gain 100lbs on the first year,” she lied, which made me laugh harder still as Rhett was in the

process of inhaling another brownie.