Chapter 166
Fiona POV
It had come as a shock to hear my father defend me like that, not to mention Regan. My wolf was pleased. It looks as though they aren’t as blind as you would believe when it comes to Celeste now. I, however, was not as optimistic as she was, as I stared behind me before doing as I was asked to and shifting back into my regular human form. It was easy. I only had to envision what I looked like, picturing my long hair, my big doe–like eyes, and the colour of the complexion of my skin. Within moments, I had turned back into my regular human self, and it felt odd compared to my large and overpowering wolf form. I sighed and then heard a strangled sound come from my mate as he quickly whipped off his jacket and wrapped it around my nude form. He didn’t want anybody to lay eyes on me like that, not even my parents, who had no doubt seen it all before. I felt his protectiveness as he moved me behind him, attempting to keep me out of reach of everyone. I calmly stepped back out, holding his jacket tightly in one hand, preventing it from gaping open and showing everything.
I had forgotten I was naked until my mate reminded me. Celeste was sobbing behind me, still playing the victim. I rolled my eyes at her. “You might as well stop, Celeste. Nobody here is buying your pathetic act. I do have to thank you,” I said with a grin and a tilt of my head. “If you hadn’t provoked my anger like that, I never would have shifted into my wolf. So I guess I owe you in retrospect,” I retorted, as my mate wrapped me in his arms and hugged me fiercely to his chest.
I melted against him. Warmth spread through me. I felt heady as though I had been drinking, and I smiled up at him, unable to deny just how much I loved this man. He was everything I had ever wanted in a partner.
“Are you okay?” he murmured, raking his eyes over me for injuries and scrapes.
I laughed. “I’m fine. In fact, I feel strangely energetic,” I added gleefully.
It was as though I had drunk several energy drinks at once. I was practically reverberating with energy.
He sighed. “Don’t scare me like that. You know how much I worry about you. Your wolf is gorgeous, by the way,” he added with a twist of his mouth and a wink at me.
My wolf purred at the compliment. I almost giggled at how excited she was by our mate’s remark. It was different, having somebody else in my head, but already I was getting used to it.. Regan and the others shot glances at each other, even as Celeste began to stand up, her eyes shining with hatred as she glared at me.
She blamed me for what happened. Just like she always did when things didn’t go her way. Too bad. Her plan had backfired this time. She wasn’t going to get out of this without some sort of consequence.
“I think you wanted my side of the story,” I quipped, turning to my parents, who nodded at me tightly.
“Don’t listen to her, she’s a liar,” Celeste shouted, stomping her foot and trying to move past everyone, only for Regan to hold out a hand and prevent her from leaving..
She looked like a petulant child who was throwing a tantrum because she didn’t get her favorite food. It was not becoming of an eighteen–year–old female. Or of an upcoming Alpha, for if memory served, she was to be declared alpha of the pack tonight. This should be interesting.
“Celeste, quiet,” Xavier spoke, his head turning to regard me. “Fiona, you can speak.”
I dipped my head, before glancing at my mate who smiled reassuringly. I sighed, feeling older than my years. “I was giving Celeste belated birthday wishes, wanting to personalize them when she decided she would grow her nails and attempt to disfigure me” I sad nonchalantly and then shrugged, “as you can see it triggered my wolf and I ended up shifting. There’s literally nothing more to say.”
It had happened quickly. Celeste, however,r was now avoiding everybody’s eyes as she stared down at the floor. She was lucky I didn’t divulge everything else she had done but if she ran the pack to the ground, it was no business of mine. As it was, I knew I would out her the first moment I could, but only with concrete proof. For now, she was safe, but later? Later, I would have my revenge.
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16:23 Tue, 1 Apr
Chapter 166
79%
But my parents looked furious as they regarded a blushing Celeste whose rosy red cheeks were lit in embarrassment. Regan looked as though she was ready to ground her, a look of exasperation on her face.
“You tried to hurt a guest,” she snapped, and I winced, even though Regan didn’t see it. “You tried to disfigure her,” she snarled as Celeste flinched, “and then you dare to try and play the victim. Do I have this right?” she demanded.
“Mother, she provoked me first,” Celeste wailed, still playing the victim, only it was not as convincing to everybody who ignored her.
I laughed. “I didn’t provoke anything. She tried to hurt me, and she lost,” I quipped as Celeste continued to glower at me. “You lost this time,” I told her meaningfully.
Regan was frustrated with Celeste. “If it wasn’t your birthday today…” she erupted “I would have you put in the dungeon for what you just tried. You’re lucky you weren’t killed” she hissed “and Fiona had every right to defend herself against a personal attack like that. What on earth were you thinking” she continued to vent.
Celeste hung her head, feigning apology. “I wasn’t thinking, Mother. I guess after this morning, I just lost it…” she stammered.
This morning? I frowned and then put the pieces together. This morning was her official birthday and she would have had her shift transformation. Was she talking about her wolf?
“Your wolf,” I murmured.
Regan turned to me, wringing her hands together and looking slightly remorseful. “Fiona, I’m sorry about what’s happened. Celeste was having a bad morning this morning, and evidently it led to her lashing out at you. I’m not excusing what happened,” she was quick to say, “but I’m hoping that you might find it in your heart to forgive her.”
Find it in my heart to forgive her? Was she delusional. I didn’t care what Celeste did anymore.I wasn’t aprt of her life. She was lucky that I wasn’t some other Alpha she had insulted. My wolf was displeased with my rationale but I truly did not have any time for these people.
“With all due respect, I have no inclination to care about her or her problems” I said evenly as Regan nodded, her lips flattened, “but she should know,” I turned back to regard her, my expression frosty, “That if she’s disrespectful to me again I won’t hesitate to shift and hurt her back. I won’t attack without provocation but if she tries again she will lose more than just her dignity.”
It was a threat, and everybody knew it. Regan nodded. I felt something against my arm and turned, surprised to see that Xander, my father, was holding out a dress.
He nodded at the one lying shredded on the floor. “I’m sorry about your dress,” he told me sincerely, “You left a few behind. I know it’s not as nice as the one you were wearing, but it beats wearing just a jacket. Will you stay for the festivities? I promise that Celeste will be perfectly civil and behave for the rest of the evening.”
I doubted he could make such a promise on his so–called other daughter’s behalf but I glanced at Liam and saw him shrug at me. Whatever I chose, he would support my decision. I frowned and then nodded tightly.
“We’ll stay but don’t think it’s for any of your sake. I have no desire to leave just now and Celeste,” I looked at her, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Happy birthday.”
I turned and walked out of the room, my dress held in hand. I had the last word for once, and as my mate helped me into my dress, I could see nothing but admiration on his face. We might have something to discuss when we got back but I was looking forward to socializing and having fun now that I knew whatever Celste threw at me, I would be able to handle without a qualm. I felt powerful as I took my mate’s arm and headed back outside again, joining the other guests and unable to express just how happy I was. I wondered if the Alpha ceremony was about to prove as interesting as upstairs had just been.
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