Celeste was ready to talk about her mate bond with Jeremy.
Her heart sped up a little. She didn't know what was driving her to say that out loud. Was it the pull of the moon or the unbridled comfort of their closeness that loosened her tongue?
Or perhaps it was a sense of reverence that filled her being as she realized the lengths Jeremy went to control his beastly urges for her?
She couldn't quite put a finger on it.
The thought surfaced in her mind and freed itself from her lips without a moment of delay, like a bird from a cage. But the sudden burst of words didn't leave her with any regret or remorse.
Jeremy's wolf stirred in her arms, eyes blinking several times as if he was trying to make sense of what Celeste had just said. Then, in a sudden outburst of excitement, he gazed at Celeste, tail swishing back and forth.
Though the wolf's face didn't change, Celeste swore that he was smiling. She couldn't help with the smile on her face, too.
She knew Jeremy had been tormented by this secret for far too long. He had been carrying it alone for all this time, and she was glad that they could finally talk about it. But, unfortunately, the moon was at play, and Jeremy couldn't transform back into his human form tonight, making it impossible to discuss.
"Let's wait until tomorrow when you're able to speak then," Celeste suggested.
The wolf let out a discontented growl, but it was not that he could do anything about it.
So he nestled gently back into her embrace. Under the tranquil moonlight and the occasional rustling of leaves, the two were lost in their thoughts.
Celeste couldn't quite recall the exact moment she drifted off to sleep last night. All she knew was that when she woke up this morning, she found herself cocooned in the warmth of her plush bedding, instead of the cold, hard ground.
Of course, by then, Jeremy had already vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the faintest scent of freshly-cut grass in the air as his presence.
Celeste inhaled, letting the scent fill her nostrils. It had a soothing effect on her. She couldn't help but wonder if Jeremy could smell the same thing on her. They said that werewolves could smell their favorite scent on their mates, and Celeste couldn't help but wonder what she smelled like to him.
But then she paused. Since when did she stop avoiding the fact that they were mates? She shook her head.
As she stretched and yawned, her mind drifted back to the night before. She remembered the little moments they had shared, the way Jeremy's eyes had sparkled as she mentioned their mate bond. She had promised to open herself up to him, to have a real talk with him about their bond. And now, with the scent of fresh grass still lingering in the air, Celeste felt more determined than ever to do just that.
With a deep breath, she pushed back the covers and rose from the bed, ready to face the day and whatever it might bring.
After washing up, she made her way down the stairs and was immediately struck by the boisterous air that permeated the entire house.
Her parents were beaming with wide grins, their excitement almost contagious, while Jeremy's expression seemed to alternate between cloudy and bright.
Celeste raised an eyebrow.
"What's going on?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"We decided to have a last-minute barbecue to celebrate your recovery and the full moon that just passed," her father exclaimed, his voice filled with joy. Her mother nodded in agreement, equally thrilled.
The mere mention of a barbecue made Celeste's stomach growl with hunger. And her brain automatically provided the memories of grilled meats and savory aromas wafting through the air. Her stomach groaned a little, along with the wolf inside her.
Celeste turned to Jeremy, expecting to see him bubbling with excitement, but instead, he just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, leaving her puzzled. Didn't he always love barbecues?
As her parents continued to chatter and fuss over the preparations, Celeste suddenly figured it out. They were supposed to discuss their mate bond today, a conversation that should be held in a private and quiet place. But with the family caught up in the spirit and bustling around, she knew they wouldn't have a quiet moment for themselves. The realization made her heart sink with disappointment.
As Celeste had thought, the opportunity for Jeremy and her to be alone never surfaced.
Both Jeremy and Dad were wholly engrossed in the task of preparing the barbecue, meticulously tending to the cuts of meat as they sizzled and crackled over the flames. Celeste was skilled with food, but grilling was her forte. So she teamed up with her mom, working diligently to make sure that the drinks were chilled and the table set to perfection.
The entire family was in high spirits as they convened in the backyard. The air was thick with the sound of music, laughter, and chatter, creating a warm and lively ambiance that enveloped them all.
Celeste's and Jeremy's eyes met from time to time. They exchanged a fleeting smile, looking for a moment of a break when they could talk. But any such opportunity was swiftly curtailed by the constant demands for help from their parents.
Memories of childhood came to Celeste's mind, evoking images of their dad grilling with great fervor, and their mom carefully setting the table with a meticulous eye for detail. It was a time of simple joys, where life was carefree and blissful.
Although Celeste and Jeremy were unable to have the conversation, being with family was equally gratifying. As they spent time together, the atmosphere was relaxed and jovial, and Jeremy's initial disappointment quickly faded away. His face lit up with a beaming smile, radiating warmth and contentment.
After the long preparation, the savory aroma of the grilled meat wafted through the air and tantalized their taste buds. The family gathered around the table. Each bite of the meat was an explosion of flavors, the succulent juices bursting in their mouths, satisfying their hunger and nourishing their souls. The cozy yard was filled with the sound of their laughter and chatter.
As the sun began to set, the parents began to tire and eventually dozed off in the yard with the chirping of the crickets.
Jeremy and Celeste were also tired, but as their eyes met, they shared a knowing smile. Without a word, Jeremy raised his index finger and pointed to the roof. Celeste's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded quickly.
They scrambled to their feet and made a beeline for the roof.