Celeste blinked as Jeremy's words echoed in her ears.
She had imagined what Jeremy might say to her. He might try to persuade her to go back with him. He might tell her that they could find another way out. He might say that she didn't need to leave at all. He might even say that they belonged together and they couldn't run from each other for the rest of their lives.
The memory of his last visit, when he had spoken those words, still haunted Celeste. These days of separation had only served to torment the wolves within them, intensifying their desperate longing to be in each other's presence. For a moment, Celeste was afraid that Jeremy would continue to say these things and look at her with those eyes. She was afraid that this time she wouldn't be able to hold out and would just give in.
But what Celeste was afraid of did not come true. She never expected Jeremy to say that.
"What?" The shock was so overwhelming that her brain could barely squeeze out a single word.
"We're not twins. To be precise, I'm not your twin brother," Jeremy said. Perhaps seeing the wide-eyed disbelief in Celeste's eyes, he chuckled, "Wow, check the look on your face now. I guess I had that same silly look on mine when I first heard about that."
His chuckle somehow managed to ease the tension in the air. Amidst the tumult of shock, a snort managed to escape from Celeste's lips. Then her fist instinctively found its mark, colliding with Jeremy's chest. "I don't look silly!"
"Ouch!" Jeremy twisted his face, feigning pain as if Celeste's punch had truly wounded him.
Celeste rolled her eyes. The man was such a drama queen. She didn't even put any forth in the punch. But it was evident that Jeremy's flair for drama went beyond just this moment. When he noticed Celeste's apparent lack of concern, he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his chest as if that would mercurially ease the imagined pain.
Celeste could feel the strength and warmth emanating from Jeremy's hand as it clasped hers. Though separated by a thin layer of fabric, her fingers and Jeremy's chest seemed to share an electric connection. Despite the barrier, Celeste couldn't help but feel the heat pulsating beneath, synchronizing with the rhythm of his heart. His heartbeat raced as if caught up in its own frenzied tempo.
His heightened pulse seemed to affect Celeste, causing her heart to mimic its accelerated pace. Their heartbeats danced in harmony, a symphony of shared emotions.
Locking eyes with Jeremy, Celeste noticed his intense gaze fixed upon her. Celeste suddenly felt a little dry in her mouth, compelling her to swallow in an attempt to moisten her parched throat. She cleared her throat before speaking. "So, we really aren't twins? How did you come across this information?"
"Byron told me," Jeremy replied. "In fact, many signs pointed in that direction, like I became a wolf earlier than you, we don't look alike at all as twins, and..."
"And…?" Celeste prompted.
"And the impossible mate bond between the two of us."
Mate bond...
The term rang within Celeste's mind, its significance now taking on a different hue.
Now this word appeared in her mind, and its meaning seemed to have changed.
The revelation of this information made everything seem different. The dynamic between them seemed to have completely changed. Celeste had fled from Jeremy's side because they were siblings and couldn't have a future together. She didn't want to hold Jeremy back, nor did she want their relationship to be restricted by the constraints of freedom and the pack. So she chose to leave.
But now, Jeremy was in front of her, telling her that they were not siblings. Celeste's mind still couldn't digest this information for a moment, but she felt like she could breathe a little easier. At least, the barrier that had been between them seemed to have fallen.
"But that's not the only reason that brought me to you, Cel," Jeremy's voice rumbled low, yet tender, resonating once again in Celeste's ears.
"What is the other reason, then?" Celeste asked. Her voice also softened, as if afraid to disturb the air between them. Her fingers remained on Jeremy's chest, able to feel the rhythm of his heartbeat. Beat after beat, strong and steady, just like the flames burning in his blue eyes.
"Of course, I am grateful that we are not bound by blood as siblings. But I must explain to you that even if we were, I wouldn't let that relationship hinder our connection. The pack, responsibilities, being the Alpha… None of those things matters when it comes to you. , Celeste. If I were to choose, time and time again, it would be you. Only you," Jeremy paused, granting Celeste the space to digest his words.
"But for me, you are more than just my fated mate. I have always been with you even before I can remember. You are my family, my friend. You are every part of my life. I cannot go on without you. So, no matter what, I cannot let you leave. Even if you push me away, I will come back to you again and again. However many times you push me away, I will return. Just like a silly puppy. I am your puppy," Jeremy confessed, his voice laced with sincerity.
Celeste knew how much Jeremy hated it when being called a puppy, but at this moment, he said that he was Celeste's puppy.
Before she knew it, a smile, unbidden, etched its way onto Celeste's lips She didn't know what to say. Her lips trembled slightly. The next second, her lips overlapped with Jeremy's. It was a chaste kiss, but both of them seemed to draw strength from it.
"I won't push you away anymore, Jeremy," Celeste said, opening her eyes. She saw the familiar smile on Jeremy's lips. Unable to resist, she reached out her finger to touch his lips, feeling the shape of that smile. It deepened under her touch.
"I want to take you away," Jeremy whispered, leaning closer to Celeste's ear. His voice fell upon her earlobe, causing a slight tickle that traversed her spine, and Celeste shivered.
"Then take me," Celeste replied, her voice a blend of anticipation and surrender.