His laugh was short, cutting. “Don’t flatter yourself. You never deserved courtesies from me.” And then his voice dropped, the amusement vanishing like smoke, replaced by familiar loathing. “Just like you never deserved Brett.”
The name struck like a slap.
My nails dug into the leather wheel, but I tilted my head, painting my expression in the mask I’d worn since childhood. “Oh, Thomas, you think dragging up old history will wound me?”
I shrugged, my shoulders aching from the tension suddenly winding through them. “It was for the best. Brett and I were ill-fitted. Partners ought to be well-matched-from family to legacy. He knew it, too.”
“Funny,” Thomas said, his gaze unwavering, “because he didn’t know it until you shoved it in his face. He would have kept worshiping you till his last breath if you hadn’t snapped the tether yourself.”
Something twisted inside me. A flash-Brett’s stormy eyes the night we fought, his voice rough as he said,
‘Fine, Celeste. If that’s what you want. I accept!
I had laughed at him, even as my stomach caved in on itself.
I had thought he’d crawl back. He never did.
I stiffened. “He was beneath me. I did what was necessary.”
Thomas leaned closer to the glass, his smile frigid. “He was too good for you, and you knew it. I thank the moon every damn day my friend got away from you before you rotted him completely.”
The words burned hotter than I wanted them to. I snapped my chin higher. “Think what you want. I’ve already moved on. Soon, I’ll become Luna of the Nightfang Pack. Kieran Blackthorne’s Luna. And then we’ll see who rots.”
His laughter rang out, sharp and scornful. “The toxic princess finally found a new throne to poison. I’ll be sure to send my condolences to Nightfang. May the goddess save them all.”
My throat ached, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing the effect of his words. “Goodnight,
Thomas.” I rolled the window up with deliberate slowness, savoring the finality of it.
I started the car, forcing my hand not to shake, and drove off.
Only when the city lights blurred around me did I realize how wet my lashes were.
Damn it. No.
No tears for him.
My gaze dropped, unbidden, to the ink on my wrist.
The tattoo we had gotten together-Brett’s idea. A symbol of forever. Of eternal love.
I’d thought it glamorous then, romantic. And Brett hadn’t known at the time, but Kieran was who I thought of when I branded that mark onto my skin.
He was the one who was supposed to be my forever.
The tears brimmed again, and I didn’t know who they were for-Brett or Kieran. I swiped them away furiously.
I did not regret, I could not regret.
The only mistake I had made was walking away a decade ago, leaving the field wide open for Sera to take my place in Kieran’s bed. In his fucking heart.
But she would never surpass me. She couldn’t.
I was the Lockwood princess. Radiant, destined. The one the elders whispered of since birth. The one born to stand at Kieran’s side.
She was nothing but the pathetic shadow that slithered behind me.
By the time I reached the house, my fury had outpaced my fear. The moment I saw Kieran in the living room, the anger morphed into desperation.
He looked up from a spread of documents, his dark hair rumpled from running his hand through it too many times. Tired, but still so infuriatingly gorgeous.
I didn’t even bother asking where he’d gone. As long as it hadn’t been to Sera’s arms, I was appeased.
For now.
“Kieran.” I crossed the room quickly, dropping my purse, my voice rougher than intended. “Mark me.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“Mark me.” I gripped his shoulders, nails biting through the fabric of his shirt. “Tonight. Right fucking now.”
He pulled back slightly, frowning. “Celeste. We agreed-we’d respect Edward’s traditions. The marking will be after we’re married.”
My breath came sharp. “Traditions?” I laughed, the sound too high. “Who cares about dusty traditions? We’re already bound by promise. What difference does it make if you mark me now?”
He studied me, confusion shading to alarm. “What’s wrong? Did something happen tonight?”
“No,” I snapped too quickly.
His brows furrowed further, and I softened, dropping my voice, my body trembling with the truth I could never fully cage. “I just-I need this. After everything… I need to feel that you’re mine. That nothing can take you away”
His jaw clenched, his silence unbearable. “Celeste-“
I kissed him.
Hard, desperate, crushing my mouth to his before he could reject me outright. If he marked me now, it would be sealed. There’d be no going back.
But even as my lips pressed to his, he did not melt the way I wanted him to, the way I needed him to.
His hands came up-not to pull me closer, but to push me gently, firmly back.
“Celeste,” he began, his voice low, conflicted-
“You don’t have to mark me now,” I said, hating the desperation that laced my voice. Fuck, how did I get so fucking pathetic? “But, Kieran, I’ve been back for months now, and you won’t even go further than kissing me.”
His jaw clenched. “I’m trying to respect your father’s wishes.”
“Bullshit!” I snapped. “You didn’t care about traditions and my father’s wishes when you impregnated my sister!”
His eyes flared wide, and his grip on my shoulders tightened. “Celeste-“
And then the shrill ring of his phone cut through the air.
We froze.
The name on the screen flashed once before he snatched it up.
Daniel.
Of.
Fucking.
Course.
Kieran didn’t even hesitate as he turned away from me and answered the call.
The sound of his son’s voice on the other end pulled him entirely away, his face softening with paternal concern.
I stood there, chest heaving, lips still tingling, fury clawing at my insides.
Even now, even after everything, Sera’s shadow reached between us, stealing what should have been mine.
Not for much longer.
KIERAN’S POV
Whatever tempest Celeste was trying to whip around me, it all faded at the thought of my son.
“Daniel,” I answered, my voice softening despite the tension still clawing through the room.
“Dad!” His words tumbled out, breathless and excited. “I need your help. I’m in the kitchen and I think I almost got it right this time, but-well, there’s one thing missing.”
I blinked, confusion tugging my brows together. “Missing from what?” from
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