The Cursed Alpha’s Mate by Moon Flood
Chapter 91
Celeste kept throwing up. We had to stop twice on our way for her to throw up. Her complexion had turned pasty with her face turning an ugly green colour.
I hadn’t seen Jabari since we got home. He’d excused himself once we got into the house. I could sense him around the premises but he hadn’t come close to the part of the house Celeste and I were in.
I shot Valens a quick text to tell him we’d gotten home but I still hadn’t received a reply after more than an hour. By now, I expected he knew what happened but he still hadn’t reached out to me.
“I’ll make you a cup of mint tea,” I said to Celeste, patting her clasped hands as I left the room. She didn’t say anything in reply, rocking herself back and forth.
I met Jabari in the kitchen when I went in. He was running his head underneath the faucet. He raised his head when I walked in and I was taken aback by the redness of his eyes “I k*illed her brother.” His voice was a hoarse whisper when he spoke. He cleared his throat and shook his head, sending water flying around the kitchen.
“We don’t know he is dead yet,” I said, grabbing a cup.
The warriors who had come looking for Lucien took him away once Jabari got off him. While I knew the chances of them taking him to the hospital were slim, I still wanted to believe something else.
“He is. I smashed his head against a rock.” He looked like he was about to throw up. “I hate that bastard so much but now – now whatever chance I had with her is gone.”
“Don’t think like that.” I placed a hand on his left arm. His hands were shaking. He was shaking; literally vibrating from head to toe. “It was either her or him,” I reminded.
I’d say there was no love lost between Lucien and Celeste but I would be a liar to talk like that. Celeste loved her brother. He had fallen so far from who he once was but he was still her brother. She always refused to see the worst in him because of that. He protected her and loved her. Would the way she saw him change now that he had almost k*illed her? It was yet to be known.
Jabari had insisted on bringing her here instead of taking her to the hospital after she fainted. She woke halfway through the journey, almost flying out of the moving vehicle to throw up. The cut on her throat was mostly healed when she woke up but her eyes had become vacant and she’d hugged herself while rocking. She was still rocking herself over an hour later. “I k*illed her brother. I am a monster.” He pushed a hand into his w*et hair, flicking some more water around the kitchen.
“You are not a monster. Maybe follow up with what happened to him. I’d like to know if he – if he is dead.” I swallowed down bile as I uttered that sentence. My stomach churned and it felt as if my breakfast was about to come back up.
“There is no chance he is still alive. I split his head open.” He looked down at his hands and I found it hard to reconcile the Jabari I knew with the one standing before me.
Jabari was acting as if he’d never taken a life and while I understood his fear, my mind was scrambled, my thoughts scattered. My mate was out there, my childhood friend/ enemy was likely dead and my best friend was in shock. I had no update on Skylar and the last thing I wanted was to be kept locked up at home.
“Call the hospital and tell Valens to reach me.” I took Celeste’s tea and walked out of the kitchen. She was no longer rocking herself when I came in. She was staring straight at a wall and the sight was frightening.
“Here” I stretched out the teacup to her but she didn’t flinch, continuing to stare, unblinking. “I’ll just leave it here.” I placed the cup on the table and took a seat beside her, rubbing my palms on my t*highs.
“How are you feeling?” I asked but as expected, I received no response. I heard a knock on the door and scented Levana as she poked her head into the room.
“Can I speak with you for a second?” She looked worried so I nodded, patting Celeste’s hand again as I left.
“What’s up?” I asked once I closed the door behind me.
“I have to get home.” She looked really worried and I feared something had happened to her mate.
“What happened?” I asked, heart in my throat. “Our borders were breached at home. I am uncomfortable being far from my mate at this point. I gathered that the invaders are targeting three packs, including this one. Mine is the worst hit so far.”
“They aren’t targeting all the packs like we first concluded?” I asked.
“No. I just spoke to my mate. They are targeting the top three. There’s talk that they may be going for the Alpha Pack but it’s still quiet there so we are not sure.”
“Oh” I tried recalling the top three packs Valens had conquered. I didn’t think Redville was one of them but apparently, I was wrong. “At least your mate is speaking with you,” I said. I hadn’t meant to sound as bitter as I did then but I could not hide that I was upset with the way Valens shut me out. He could argue that it was for my safety but it didn’t feel like he was keeping me safe at this point. I just felt left out.
“The Alpha must be very busy at this time. I am sure he will reach out to you as soon as possible.” I nodded. “I really have to go. I could not reach the Alpha and I thought it best to tell you before I leave.”
“That’s alright, I will tell Jabari to get some men to travel with you,” I said to which she shook her head.
“There’s no need to go through that. I am not a target and we are not far off. I can
“Nonsense,” I cut her off, “I will get you escorts. I am risking nothing at this point.” I went to find Jabari.
The Beta was still out of it but if there was one thing Jabari would never neglect, that would be his duty. Despite how he was feeling, he shouldered on and in thirty minutes, we had five warriors ready to travel with Levana.
I bade her farewell as she left with a backpack, arms, and her warriors. Then I went in to check on Celeste. She was lying on her back, her hands clasped on her stomach while she stared at the ceiling.
“Celeste?” I called when I walked in.
“I’d like to be alone,” she answered, her voice impassive and eyes still fixated on the white ceiling.
“Alright. If you need anything, you can call me. I’ll be in my room.” I closed the door gently behind me and walked upstairs to the room Valens and I shared.
I was going crazy trying to get through to Valens. The only person in this house who could reach him was Jabari. Times like this, I hated how we put the Mating Ceremony away. I hated how I had nothing more than a pack link with him. I hated how, at this time, I wasn’t any different from other pack members eagerly awaiting a word from their Alpha while being unable to contact him.
I took a bath while I waited for word from Valens. I was drying my hair when I heard the door to our room open. I rushed out of the bathroom, thinking my mate had arrived but it was Celeste coming into my room looking lifeless.
“What will happen to my parents?” She asked as she took a seat. “What will happen to them if they are part of this – this madness?”
“You mean if they are traitors?” I asked. She flinched but nodded. “That’s for Valens to decide.”
“I – I’d rather not watch my parents d*ie.” She raised her head to look at me and I saw a flash of fear in her eyes. “Can you help me with that?” She asked, fiddling with her f*ingers.
“What are you asking me?”
“Don’t – Don’t k*ill my parents. I am begging you.”
“I – “ My phone lit up with a notification, distracting me. I grabbed it from the dresser, expecting a message from my mate but instead, I got one from an unknown number.
‘Come out and play?’ The message read. Another followed it up before I finished reading it. ‘Or shall I come in?’