Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Moon Temple’s Call

Chapter 28: The Moon Temple’s Call

(Celeste’s POV)

The ache in my arms and legs had turned into a dull throb, and my scarred hands trembled

faintly as I pressed them onto the desk in front of me, steadying myself against the wave of

exhaustion.

Nina stood by the doorway like a statue, her silver–gray wolf’s sharp energy radiating subtle

vigilance across the room. Every cautious shift of her stance reminded me that she was both

a protector and a watchdog.

Her voice broke the quiet. “She’s here.” Nina’s words were clipped, her irritation obvious

despite her usual calm.

I turned slightly, already knowing who “she” was. My shoulders sagged briefly before I

schooled my expression into neutrality. Scarlett never came without a purpose.

“Let her in,” I said through tightened lips.

The door swung open, and Scarlett floated in, all delicate grace and manufactured sweetness.

Her movements were intoxicatingly poised–the gait of someone fully aware of her position

and reveling in it.

“Good morning, sister,” Scarlett greeted, her voice loaded with false warmth. She dipped in a

light nod, her head briefly tilted like she meant to project innocence. Her emerald eyes

sparkled, but not with sincerity.

She dropped into what was supposed to resemble pack submission, but even that gesture felt exaggerated. Her wolf seemed to hum beneath her, measuring me, reading the air carefully for

an opportunity.

I leaned back in the chair, crossing my arms loosely across my chest. I didn’t smile. “Scarlett,”

I said flatly. “What do you want?”

Her auburn curls swayed slightly as she beamed, undeterred by the iciness of my tone. “Why so sharp?” she asked lightly, but her wolf’s energy seemed to ripple faintly with discomfort

under Nina’s quiet growl from the corner.

A flicker of unease touched Scarlett’s features, but she quickly recovered, straightening her posture and shrugging slightly. “I’ve come with wonderful news,” she said, clasping her hands

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Chapter 28: The Moon Temple’s…

together with practiced enthusiasm. “The Sacred Moon Temple is hosting the blessing ceremony tonight. I came to personally invite you.”

Her excitement was so deliberate, so carefully pitched that it set every nerve in, my body on edge.

I frowned slightly, keeping my expression measured. “The temple?”

“Yes,” Scarlett said, her nod almost too eager. “The Blood Moon’s eighth phase is such a special time, isn’t it? I thought of you immediately.”

Her words tightened something low and sharp in my chest. Memories of the temple clawed their way through the walls I’d constructed around myself.

Once, the eighth phase of the Blood Moon had carried meaning for me. I had prayed there before, seeking harmony with the pack and silently hoping my silver birthmark meant my prayers might reach higher ears. And there had been ceremonies where I’d stolen glances at Alexander’s white wolf, unashamed and young enough to believe such things could matter.

Now, those memories felt like open wounds I didn’t want exposed.

“Why do you care whether I attend?” I asked finally. My voice was soft, but it held an unmistakable edge.

Scarlett blinked at the bluntness of my tone, faltering briefly before sliding seamlessly into her effortless mask of sisterly concern. “Because it’s important that you feel included,” she said sincerely, though it rang hollow. “Especially with everything that’s happened, I thought this could be…” She paused, her emerald eyes glittering as she searched for the right words. “…a fresh start for us.”

It took conscious effort to keep the bitterness off my face.

“The grounds will be crowded,” I pointed out carefully. “Hardly an ideal setting for someone like me.”

Her wolf’s energy pulsed faintly with something that felt like triumph, though her smile didn’t waver. “You’re stronger than you realize, Celeste. Eleanor always said the Moon Temple’s blessings are strongest during the eighth phase. Maybe this could help her–help both of you.”

Her words landed with a mix of truth and manipulation, and I hated how they burrowed under my defenses. Eleanor’s fragile health weighed heavily on me, more than I cared to admit aloud. If there was even the slightest chance this could help her, wasn’t it worth the risk?

I let the silence stretch, pretending to deliberate longer than I actually needed. Finally, I

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exhaled softly, nodding once. “…Fine. I’ll go.”

Scarlett’s wolf preened visibly at my agreement. Before I could react, her arm looped through

mine in a sudden, flashing gesture of intimacy.

The touch burned. Pain shot through my silver scars, sharp and unbearable, the ghostly

memory of silver chains crawling over my skin. My wolf recoiled violently, curling inward with a raw whimper that I barely managed to suppress.

I pulled back immediately, my voice icy and forceful as I spoke. “Don’t.”

Her shock registered instantly, her emerald eyes widening, though she disguised it quickly. “I

only-”

“I prefer maintaining distance,” I cut her off sharply, my hand lowered between us as if to bar her from touching me again.

The tears started almost immediately. Her eyes glistened with what could have passed for sincere hurt, though it was calculated enough to make Nina’s lip curl in blatant disgust from

the doorway.

“I’m only trying to help you,” Scarlett whimpered, her lower lip quivering expertly. Her wolf emitted a faintly pitiful whine, one designed to be heard by anyone within earshot.

I sighed inwardly, bracing myself for whatever pity–laden performance she had prepared for today. Scarlett never acted without intention; every move, every tear was choreographed to

evoke exactly the response she wanted.

“You don’t need to help,” I said firmly. “Just let me prepare for the ceremony.”