Jeremy gave Nancy a quick look before returning his gaze to the pack.
Celeste's wolf whined instantly within her again. For what reason? She didn't want to acknowledge it. Her eyes followed Jeremy's, trying to catch his attention. But his gaze did not move to her, and she felt a strange twinge of disappointment.
She knew Jeremy was only responding to Nancy's question. But that knowledge did not ease the inexplicable annoyance that had been brewing within her. It was like a knot in her stomach that refused to unravel.
Nancy, on the other hand, seemed to puff up with pride at the attention, standing a little taller and jutting out her chest. It was like she had received some kind of confirmation, a validation of her worth.
Celeste's lips twitched. She lowered her head, biting her bottom lip.
That was when Jeremy's voice landed in her ear. His voice was still the same as before, but there was a hint of composure, confidence, and authority that made it seem a bit unfamiliar. It was like he had grown into his role as Alpha simply with the new realization.
"I know we all worry about Sarah and Alpha," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. "And the safety of the pack is also important. I think now our pack is not strong enough yet to save Sarah and Byron from the hunters who are fully armed and prepared."
He paused for a moment, and Celeste held her breath, waiting for him to continue. "But we can't abandon our own. We are a pack. We are family. We stick together no matter what."
His words were like a balm to Celeste's troubled heart, soothing her and reminding her of the bonds that tied them all together. She looked up at him, seeing him in a new light. He had always been an Alpha, but now, it was like he had fully embraced the role, becoming a true leader that they could all rely on.
"We'll wait until the sun sets. If Byron and the others haven't returned by then, we'll go search for them. As werewolves, the darkness holds no fear for us. Our keen senses and the moon's energy will give us an edge. But until then, we will remain vigilant and take turns guarding this place to prevent any unwelcome visitors..."
Jeremy took charge with confidence, issuing orders to the wolves with authority. He knew his pack well, outlining everyone's role. The werewolves responded with unquestioning obedience, their eyes reflecting trust.
As he led them, Jeremy embodied the very essence of a natural-born leader, like a skilled general guiding his troops into battle.
Celeste's memory suddenly flashed back to the last time the pack was here after the attack from the rogues.
She had thought about how Jeremy had kept the pack safe in Byron's absence, and how he had rallied the others to protect their territory. She had been unconscious at the time and could not recall the details.
She tried to imagine what Jeremy had looked like back then, but the images in her mind were indistinct, unlike the vivid clarity of the present moment.
Celeste wondered if Nancy had been as reliant on Jeremy then as she was now.
Perhaps Nancy had looked at him with trusting eyes back then, hanging on his every word as he made decisions for the pack. Just like she did now. And maybe Jeremy had relied on Nancy just as much, seeking her opinion and input when making crucial decisions.
Now, Nancy seemed to have divulged some extremely useful information, causing Jeremy's eyes to light up with excitement, a slight grin of contentment creeping onto his face.
Celeste, meanwhile, stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, observing the discussion of their next move. She only heard random sounds. Her mind was too occupied and distracted for her to figure out the content of the discussion.
She watched as Nancy smiled warmly at Jeremy while gazing at him tenderly. Jeremy, in turn, seemed resolute, occasionally turning away to glance at Nancy and then back to the conversation, the muscles in his face relaxing slightly.
Despite Celeste's presence in the room, Jeremy didn't seem to notice her at all. His gaze never once lingered on her, as if she didn't even exist in the same space.
Celeste felt a tightness in her throat, and her crossed arms seemed to squeeze all the air out of her chest, making her feel uncomfortable. But she refused to unfold her arms. She felt as if the air in her lungs had been sucked out by some invisible force, leaving behind a large lump in her throat that she couldn't swallow or cough up.
Celeste knew that it was all in her head. Jeremy and Nancy just wanted to get Sarah and Byron back. They were trying to keep the pack together. There was nothing between them. Right?
But Nancy looked like she was doing a great job. Her coordination with Jeremy was seamless, and the plans they proposed were met with eager nods from the surrounding wolves. The oppressive atmosphere in the room seemed to dissipate, and the pack was revitalized.
Celeste knew she should be happy about this progress, but for some reason, she couldn't find it in herself to feel joy.
She watched Nancy's sly and excited expression and shifted her gaze to the smile on Jeremy's face.
Out of nowhere, a somewhat unfamiliar word rang in her ears.
Luna.
Nancy reminded her of a Luna, the supportive mate of an Alpha who made the pack stronger. But the concept was strange in Celeste's mind because their pack didn't have a Luna. They had one, Byron's mate. But when she passed, the pack never had another Luna. And a pack without a Luna was weak and could never be strong enough when faced with fearful enemies.
Celeste's gaze fixed on the place Nancy was sitting.
She would never be the one sitting in Nancy's position, discussing matters with the Alpha. If Jeremy ever needed a Luna, it would never be Celeste.
Celeste took a deep breath, but the air didn't seem to reach her lungs. She began to feel lightheaded, and her crossed arms finally fell away from her chest. She straightened her back.
Alan seemed to notice her distress and tugged at the hem of her shirt. Celeste forced a smile and patted Alan's head before leaving the room.