Kent's intense gaze remained fixated on Celeste, his eyes boring into her with unwavering focus.
With each step Kent took, closing the distance between them, Celeste noticed Jeremy's brow furrowing even deeper, his face contorting with a trace of annoyance. His arm around her waist instinctively tightened, as if he was asserting dominance.
Celeste couldn't help but find Jeremy's possessiveness slightly amusing. He had been so confident, assuring her that he didn't care about Kent's ogling eyes because he knew Celeste was his and they had shared intimate moments together. But now, in the presence of Kent, Jeremy couldn't resist the urge to assert himself, as if proclaiming to the world that Celeste belonged to him and him alone. She wondered if it was an inherent wolf instinct, this need to mark territory.
Her hand gently rested on Jeremy's shoulder, a silent plea for him to relax. Understanding her unspoken request, Jeremy tugged at the corner of his mouth, his arm reluctantly retracting from around her waist. But his body still lingered in Celeste's personal space, radiating a heat that enveloped her like an invisible force field, warding off any other potential suitors.
The faint warmth of the bite mark on the back of her neck served as a reminder that she had been claimed by Jeremy, and the scent it emitted acted as a warning to other curious werewolves, urging them to keep their distance.
But even with the unmistakable signal, they couldn't deter Kent from inching closer. His self-assured smile stretched across his face, exuding confidence that seemed to irritate Jeremy even more. Celeste could practically hear the grinding of his teeth, a subtle sign of his displeasure.
"Mind if I borrow your Luna for a little while?" Kent provocatively challenged Jeremy, his eyes gleaming with mischief. When he mentioned "your Luna", his voice carried a hint of emphasis, purposefully stirring the pot. Yet, strangely enough, it only intensified the provocation.
Jeremy arched an eyebrow, his body straightening, readying himself to respond. Knowing Jeremy all too well, Celeste anticipated a retort that would be dripping with provocation, ready to ignite the tension in the air.
The two wolf packs had just formed an alliance, and everyone in the room was on high alert. Their eyes fixed on the Alpha of each pack, observing their every move. If they were to start a brawl now, it would have a negative impact on the entire alliance, dampening the spirit of collaboration.
Jeremy and Kent had never been on good terms, and their ongoing feud had already strained the cooperation between the two wolf packs. If they were to openly quarrel in front of everyone, Celeste thought it might be better to call off the alliance altogether.
So, just before Jeremy could utter a word, Celeste quickly squeezed his arm, skillfully diverting his attention. Jeremy's gaze shifted to Celeste at her pleading expression. He pursed his lips, but he understood what she was thinking. And just like that, the words he was about to say got swallowed up.
"Of course." Jeremy's response seemed to squeeze out reluctantly through his clenched teeth, while a forced smile emerged on his face. He then patted Celeste's shoulder before walking away.
Celeste couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Jeremy's concession. But his slightly childish demeanor triggered a spontaneous grin from her. As she looked up, she noticed a smug grin plastered on Kent's face. "Can't you act like a grown-up for once? Why do you always have to rile up Jeremy?"
"Sorry, but I just can't help myself. The moment I see that frustrated look on his face, like he wants to pummel me but can't, it brings me pure joy." Kent shrugged nonchalantly as if it were all just a mischievous game.
Celeste couldn't resist rolling her eyes in response. "Just grow up, will you?"
When Kent remained silent, Celeste couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "So, what did you want to talk to me about? Don't tell me you came here solely to play mind games with Jeremy."
"To be honest, that reason would have been compelling enough," Kent replied with a sly grin. But noticing Celeste about to roll her eyes again, he quickly added, "Nah, it's nothing serious. I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks. I've seen the effort you've put into forging this alliance between our two wolf packs. Having you as the Luna in the pack is truly a blessing."
Celeste couldn't help with the nagging feeling when she heard that. There seemed to be more to Kent's words than he let on. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"I've already told you," she said, a hint of frustration in her voice, "the Moon Goddess told me I would be your Luna, but honestly, I don't see how that's even possible. I mean, Jeremy and I are already bound together. You can practically smell his lingering scent on me, can't you? So, if I were to become your Luna, it would be more like a Luna for the alliance."
Kent's eyes locked onto the back of Celeste's neck, right where Jeremy's unmistakable mark rested. She knew he was staring at it. It was impossible to miss the weight of his gaze.
Kent pursed his lips and finally let out a sigh. "You know, I've been pondering the Moon Goddess's words too these past few days. Maybe you're onto something. Perhaps the situation is entirely different. Maybe this alliance is our chance to put the Moon Goddess's prophecy to the test."
Celeste felt utterly perplexed by his cryptic response, but she wasn't in the mood to overthink it. "Honestly, don't you all take the Moon Goddess's words a bit too seriously? Can't we just let things unfold naturally? Why get hung up on a single prophecy she made?"
Kent remained silent, standing there with his thoughts swirling around.
Feeling a bit restless, Celeste let her gaze wander around the room, and that's when she noticed Kate. She must have blended in with the pack of wolves at some point. Kate's eyes met Celeste's, mirroring the looks of the other werewolves.
Not wanting to dwell on Kent's enigmatic demeanor any longer, Celeste flashed a warm smile at Kate and made her way toward her. She struck up conversations with Kate and a few other familiar rogues, their banter lightening the atmosphere.
To her surprise, her casual interaction seemed to have a ripple effect on the room. Gradually, other werewolves started mingling with the rogues, breaking down the barriers that once held them apart. The previously tense air began to loosen its grip a little. Glasses clinked as the werewolves indulged in drinks, and laughter filled the room.
Although a sense of caution and unfamiliarity still lingered among them, the heavy weight of the atmosphere had lifted.
Celeste could sense that the intense gazes and attention on her had slightly dispersed. But there were always two pairs of eyes that remained fixated on her no matter where she went.
With a quick turn, she caught Kent's gaze. His expression held a mixture of curiosity and intrigue, leaving her wondering what he was truly thinking.
Then she shifted her focus to find the second pair of eyes. And there he was. Jeremy was standing at a distance with a beaming smile spread across his face. His eyes sparkled with pride as if he couldn't be happier to have Celeste by his side.