Celeste's eyes remained fixed on the man standing before her, her lips still tingling from the lingering sensation of the kiss.
She could still sense the soft and firm touch of Jeremy's lips on her own, and the slight prickliness of his stubble on her cheek. And the air she breathed in was heavy with his musky scent.
The kiss had been so real, so intense. Celeste found herself holding her breath, afraid that the slightest movement might break the spell. She squinted slightly, allowing herself to get lost in the moment, basking in the raw emotion and desire that had been stirred up within her.
"I miss you so much, Cel," Jeremy whispered, his voice husky. Even as he spoke, Celeste could hear the traces of passion and desire that lingered from their kiss, sending shivers down her spine.
Even his voice felt so real.
It was all so vivid, so real.
She stared at Jeremy, her heart racing as she tried to process the flood of emotions that were surging through her. Then she realized that maybe this was indeed real, not just a dream.
But how could that be?
"You... You... Jeremy?" Celeste struggled to turn her internal doubts into spoken words, but her thoughts were too fragmented. By the time she tried to gather them into words, all she could manage were a few broken ones. She didn't even know where to begin asking.
Was this not one of her shamelessly audacious dreams?
Was Jeremy really in front of her? How did he come here, then? Didn't she already tell him to go and never come here for her again? And, above all else... Did Jeremy… Did Jeremy just kiss her?
Celeste's mouth hung open once again, but as her mind struggled to organize and line up all her doubts, she realized her mouth was unable to produce any sound. It seemed as though that kiss had spirited away every ounce of her energy.
Before she could summon the strength to articulate her thoughts, Jeremy's arms brought her to his embrace. The grip was so tight, as if it were meant to stifle any words she intended to utter. Now, her nostrils were filled with the unmistakable essence of Jeremy, enveloping her, leaving her without an escape.
In his embrace, her inner dormant wolf seemed stirred to life, pouncing with excitement and anticipation in her core. Celeste had kept her wolf closed off for too long. And now, Jeremy's sudden appearance acted as a catalyst, shattering each and every barricade she had painstakingly constructed. Confined for too long, her wolf yearned to burst forth, reclaiming its rightful place and joining her mate.
Her wolf's response was undeniably real and vivid, prompting Celeste to acknowledge that this was not a dream, but an actual manifestation of Jeremy arriving at her side. Moreover, he had kissed her and held her in his arms.
Celeste was acutely aware of the persistent thought that lingered in her mind, longing to succumb to the undeniable bond between her and Jeremy. She yearned to surrender herself to his embrace, to find comfort and connection in Jeremy's arms. But her rationality resurfaced and started to lecture her in her ears, pulling her away from the voice of her own wolf.
She struggled, wanting to break free from Jeremy's embrace. But when she struggled, Jeremy instinctively tightened his arms around her and kept her firmly trapped in his hold.
Sensations of Jeremy's inner wolf surged through Celeste's senses—the primal desire to claim and bind his mate, a desire so tangible it seemed to ignite a blazing fire that threatened to consume them both. For a moment, Celeste thought probably it was not a bad idea to be consumed by this fire.
But the sudden realization of why Celeste had left her pack and Jeremy washed over her like an icy torrent, extinguishing any possibility to kindle that fire in her.
She struggled even harder. "Let go of me, Jeremy! You shouldn't be here," she exclaimed, her voice slightly raised.
"Shh!" Jeremy whispered in a low voice. "Do you want me to get caught by the rogues again?"
"Let me go! Why are you even here, Jeremy? Didn't I tell you to leave? Stop coming after me," Celeste replied, her voice almost pleading. But she did lower her voice.
She didn't want Jeremy to get hurt again. But she guessed she still hurt him. As she spoke her final words, she caught a glimpse of pain flickering in Jeremy's eyes, but it quickly vanished as he concealed it. Celeste felt bad for him and herself.
She took a deep breath and opened her mouth again. " Let go of me, Jeremy." Her words were soft, but her voice was tinged with an unmistakable undercurrent of dejection and frustration that couldn't be concealed.
"Fine, I'll let go of you. but you must hear me out. Don't run away from me again," Jeremy sighed, his eyes locked onto Celeste with an unwavering gaze.
Celeste met his intense gaze, witnessing the earnest flame burning deep within his eyes. It was almost daunting, sending a shiver down her spine. What did Jeremy have to say? What did he want to tell her? Celeste had no idea, but she nodded in agreement.
Jeremy released his grip on Celeste, but the residual warmth of his touch still lingered on her skin. Although he had let go, he didn't distance himself too far from Celeste. His very presence still cloaked her passively, encircling her like an invisible shield. Celeste struggled to resist the urge to take a deep breath, as the wolf within her began to restlessly stir, yearning to claim that very essence as her own.
Celeste stared into Jeremy's piercing blue eyes, a shade reminiscent of the sky. Now, those blue eyes remained fixed on her without wavering. He licked his lips and started, "Celeste, we are not twins."