Celeste shook her head when Nancy was far away from them. "I didn't know she was just mad at the food I made."
"Nancy is very competitive. And I'm sure she's not just mad at your food." The Alpha returned his gaze to Celeste.
"What else, then?" Celeste raised an eyebrow in question.
"That's for you to find out." He winked at her.
Celeste snorted.
"Oh, by the way, you still don't feel like wolfing out?"
She shook her head and let out a soft sigh. At least, she didn't receive any signal from her wolf.
Byron patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. It's not unusual. Not all twins shift at the same time."
"But it has been about two weeks, and I still don't feel anything. I even start to question if I really am a werewolf." She pouted, folding her arms on her chest.
Byron chuckled and rubbed her hair, which result in a startled cry from her.
"Don't be so dramatic, girl. I never doubt the wolf inside you. Remember how much you liked to bite me when you were this little?" He gestured with a bright smile on his lips. "Since then, we never questioned that you're going to grow into one of the most ferocious wolves in the world. So, be patient. Your wolf will surface when it's time. You may find yourself in your wolf when you wake up tomorrow."
"Thanks, Byron. I need that pep talk." Celeste smiled. She knew he said that probably just to make her feel better, and she did feel better. She could only wait in patience.
Byron waved her off. "I heard Jeremy was coming for the gathering tonight. Where's the guy?"
"I was just asking him. He's on his way."
"Good." The Alpha nodded. "He is an important part of this gathering, after all. Oh, speaking of which, you haven't met the new guy, right? I bet you haven't."
Celeste shook her head. She had just been here and hadn't got the chance to walk around. But she did notice a young man who she hadn't seen before. He was probably the rogue constantly mentioned by the ladies. Celeste thought she already knew everything about him just by the gossip she overheard.
The rogue had been seriously wounded when he was found. The pack took him in to attend to his wounds, and he was expected to leave when he was fully healed. Werewolves were social creatures, but rogues were a special breed. They always lived apart from their packs, and many of them were considered detached and dangerous.
But the rogue they had taken in seemed different. He wasn't born to be a rogue. He came from a pack in the far west. And it was said that he wound up being a rogue only because the Alphas in his old pack were too obsessed with their power game. Sick of living alone, the rogue asked to stay in their pack and proved his loyalty in the ceremony witnessed by the Moon Goddess.
"Kent Woolf." Byron reminded her with a knowing smile on his face. Celeste wondered if he read minds. Otherwise, how did he know she was searching for the man's name in her memory?
"And I don't read minds, by the way." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Celeste rolled her eyes. "Obviously. And in my defense, I almost got his name."
"I'm sure you almost did." The smile on his face widened. The Alpha looked around the group and finally locked his gaze on his target. "Got ya!"
Smelling something fishy, Celeste asked, "What are you scheming?"
"Nothing. Just think you two should meet up."
Without waiting for Celeste's answer, he maneuvered her to the rogue who was holding a guacamole cup in his hand. Celeste was glad at his choice.
"Hey, Kent! How's the party?" Byron asked.
"Hey Alpha. Everything's wonderful."
The rogue's voice was different than she had expected. It was deeper and rang in the air like a cello. He could be a good singer, she thought to herself.
"And the food?" Byron made sure to look at the cup in his hand.
"Oh, it's amazing. Seriously, I don't know who made this, but oh my goddess, I can't get enough of it." He raised the cup to Byron as if to prove his point.
Celeste couldn't help but smile. She didn't step forward to take the credit, though.
Byron let out a hearty laughter and slammed his hand on the rogue's shoulder. "I wonder if you spoke that out on purpose because the young lady who made that guacamole cup is standing right in front of you."
Surprise was written on Kent's face, turning his ears pinker.
Kent turned to Celeste. "Oh! I'm sorry… No, I'm actually not sorry because it is very good. I mean… I love your food. Thank you for making it, Miss…"
Byron clapped his hands, pretending that he had just realized Celeste and Jeremy hadn't met properly. "Almost forgot to introduce you two. Well, Kent, this is Celeste Sherwood. Cel, Kent Woolf."
Kent offered his hand, "Nice to meet you, Miss Sherwood."
"Call me Celeste. Nice to meet you. And welcome to the pack." Celeste took his warm hand.
Now that she was closer to him, she realized the man indeed was very tall. He was even taller than Jeremy. The man looked like he was in his mid-twenties at most, but the beard he was wearing made him older. She also sensed something wild and unruly about him. She didn't know if it was because of his beard or his experience as a rogue.