The look of excitement was clear on Nancy's face when she found out that Jeremy was willing to step up as the Alpha of the wolf pack. Her face lit up like a radiant sunbeam. But then, like a sudden bolt of lightning, her whole being seemed to be struck when she learned about Jeremy's connection with Celeste.
Since that moment, she hadn't uttered a word to Jeremy, and whenever she caught sight of him, she darted away faster than a startled deer. And, whenever Celeste was around, Nancy made a swift escape as soon as she spotted the two of them together.
Initially, Celeste wasn't sure if it was because she and Jeremy were inseparable. She even tried to create opportunities for Nancy to have a one-on-one conversation with Jeremy, stepping away on her own. However, Nancy didn't take that chance to approach Jeremy directly.
Celeste had anticipated feeling jealous of the relationship between Nancy and Jeremy, just like in the past when Nancy appeared by Jeremy's side, effortlessly assisting him with the pack's affairs. At that time, Celeste had thought Nancy should be the one who truly belonged with Jeremy, and she should be the one who left.
But now, Celeste couldn't quite pinpoint when or how things changed. She still harbored a possessiveness toward Jeremy that was undeniably strong. But in Nancy's presence, that possessiveness didn't transform into jealousy. Instead, it was soothed by her own self-assurance, as if her wolves were comforted by a newfound sense of confidence, leaving her without a worry in the world.
In the past, Celeste and Jeremy had been forced to conceal and suppress their feelings for each other, afraid to display them in front of the pack. But now, it was as if their suppressed emotions had unleashed their revenge. They paid no mind to public decorum and openly reveled in their affectionate exchanges, like two lovebirds intoxicated with each other's presence.
Jeremy yearned for Celeste's embrace, and Celeste, in turn, had discovered that his arms were the coziest place she could ever dream of.
"You guys seriously need to chill out. It's getting way too lovey-dovey for my taste, and I'm about to reach my breaking point," Nick protested, rolling his eyes dramatically.
"Oh please, when you were all lovey-dovey with Marco a while back, you paraded around in front of me like it was a daily show. I didn't say a word then," Celeste fired back, crossing her arms defiantly.
The first day after Jeremy returned with Celeste, he couldn't wait to introduce Nick to Celeste. There was something undeniably captivating about this androgynous werewolf in front of her. Nick seemed to possess a mysterious charm. And he had stuck around with the wolf pack, refusing to leave their side, ready to fight alongside them and help bring down those pesky hunters.
Celeste couldn't help but feel grateful for his unwavering support. She knew that when Jeremy was going through a rough patch, Nick had been there to offer support. But every time that androgynous face of Nick's popped up in front of Celeste, it sent her mind into a momentary daze.
"Hah! Well, now that I'm no longer with him, I can't stand anyone flaunting their lovey-dovey moments in front of me. And you, my friend, are pouring salt on my wound," Nick retorted, striking a pose of mock indignation, complete with a pouting expression.
"This time when we go to meet the rogues, you'll have the chance to meet your old flame. Isn't that just dandy for you?" Jeremy teased the man, keeping Celeste securely locked in his tight embrace.
"Seriously, you two against me? That's hardly a fair fight," Nick whined, before spinning around dramatically. "Nancy, girl, did you believe what they just said? Come save me from this madness!"
They were now cruising in the car, and the engine roared with gusto. Nancy's head jerked up in surprise when she heard her name. There was a slight awkwardness between them, but they still maintained some distance. It seemed like Nancy hadn't caught their conversation, just taken aback by the unexpected call of her name. She didn't rush over to help as Nick had suggested, of course.
Nick quickly brushed it off, his attention caught by the others, and he swiftly departed. Jeremy and Celeste were left in their own little bubble, returning to their cozy world of two.
Celeste leaned against Jeremy, her fingers playfully tracing circles on his arm. Amidst the thunderous rumble of the car's engine, she whispered softly in Jeremy's ear, "I think you should have a real talk with her."
Jeremy hesitated for a moment, clearly hearing Celeste's words above the noise of the engine. He glanced in Nancy's direction, then turned back to Celeste, raising an eyebrow with a hint of suspicion. "Aren't you getting jealous anymore?" he queried, his tone laced with doubt.
Almost as if reading his lack of trust, Celeste couldn't help but let a mischievous smile dance upon her lips. "You're mine! Now I'm pretty sure of that. So why would I be jealous?" Her words oozed with playful confidence.
Jeremy did a double-take. Clearly, he hadn't expected such a remark to come from Celeste's lips. But in an instant, his lips cracked into a wide, dazzling grin, like a burst of sunlight. With a nod, he leaned in, his lips gently grazing Celeste's ear.
"No problem at all, Luna," he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear and cascading down her neck. It sent a rush of heat through her body, tingling with a delicious itch, causing Celeste to shiver ever so slightly.
Before Celeste could utter a word, the car emitted a jarring screech, followed by a sudden jolt that flung both of them from their seats. Their bodies collided with the unforgiving force of inertia. But Jeremy, quick to react, swiftly positioned himself beneath Celeste, shielding her from harm as they hurtled forward.
Yet, the impact was mercilessly abrupt and intense, catching them completely off guard. Celeste and Jeremy crashed down onto the ground with a resounding thud, eliciting a muffled groan from their lips and momentarily scrambling their senses.
Then, with a creak, the car door swung open, revealing a disorienting haze of stars in Celeste's vision. Before she could make sense of the chaos, her eyes locked onto a pair of long legs, standing tall before her. And in that fleeting moment, everything faded into darkness as the pain on her head knocked her unconscious.