The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

I smile faintly at her and, once I finish putting on the shoes, we leave the small room.

The soft sound of my heels follows every step as we return to the store’s main showroom.

Bastian slightly turns his head toward me and goes completely still.

The dark gaze slowly traveling over my body sends a small pull through my chest.

I immediately lower my eyes when I feel my cheeks warming again.

Jared, standing a few feet away in his dark blue suit, opens his mouth in amazement.

“By the Moon… Miss Celine, you look…”

“Beautiful.” Bastian’s deep voice interrupts him before he can finish.

He walks straight toward me.

B

The shine of the watches and the store lights briefly reflects against his silver rings when he lifts a hand to tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

“You look…” He leans down slightly so only I can hear him. “Like the woman I dreamed about, but more beautiful than anything my imagination could have fantasized.”

My heart pounds hard inside my chest.

I slowly lift my gaze and find a strange glimmer in his dark eyes. One far warmer and more vulnerable than I expected to see in someone like him.

“You look very handsome too, Bastian.”

A small smile barely appears on his lips and, for a second, he looks satisfied in an almost dangerous way.

Yes. The black suit was definitely a terrible decision for my mental stability.

“And what about me, Celine?”

Jared’s voice pulls us out of our little bubble just as he walks toward us, nervously adjusting the dark blue jacket.

Bastian’s growl makes the store windows vibrate slightly and I almost roll my eyes.

Unbelievable. Two seconds of kindness and he already turned back into a territorial threat in an expensive suit.

“You’re terribly inconvenient, pup.” Bastian says while taking my hand and then the bags containing the clothes we wore earlier. “Move along, it’s already late enough for us to still be the gossip of the moment.”

Jared opens his mouth indignantly, but ends up following us anyway.

I can’t help a small smile.

I say goodbye to Aymara and to the woman I assume owns the store before leaving.

“Thank you for everything.”

“It was a pleasure assisting you, Luna Celine.” Aymara replies, lowering her head slightly.

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15:04 Mon, Aug 17

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

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The cold night air wraps around us again the moment we leave the store. Several people have stopped near the entrance and I watch them lower their gazes the moment Bastian walks past them.

My mate’s presence is far too dominant even when he remains silent.

Jared quickly says goodbye before returning to the vehicle traveling behind ours with the warriors.

“I don’t want to wrinkle the suit before we arrive.” He says while adjusting his jacket with a nervous smile. “Besides, I think your wolf wants to kill me again.”

“Because you’re annoying.” Bastian replies without the slightest trace of guilt.

Jared rolls his eyes and walks away laughing under his breath.

We climb back into the vehicle and the soft leather scent now feels strangely familiar to me.

“The saleswoman, Aymara.” I say while adjusting the dress so I can sit more comfortably. “I like her.”

Bastian smiles faintly while starting the engine.

“Yes, she’s pleasant.” The city lights pass through the windshield, occasionally illuminating the serious profile of his face. “I heard you tell her that you wanted her to help you get ready in the future.”

My cheeks warm once again.

Of course he heard it.

That man probably hears even my thoughts breathing too close to him.

“Tomorrow she’ll bring the latest collections to the castle and, if you want, she can become your personal stylist.” He continues while the vehicle pulls back onto the highway. “Besides, she’s perfect for the position. She’s the sister of my future

Beta.”

“Your future Beta?”

“Beta Victorius’s eldest son.” He answers calmly. “He’ll inherit the position when his father retires.”

I slowly nod while watching the enormous city lights appear closer and closer through the window.

And for the first time since we left the pack, I feel real nervousness growing inside my chest.

The deeper we travel into the Lycan kingdom, the more the scenery changes. The sun set hours ago and the enormous avenues are decorated with thousands of white lights hanging between buildings and trees like tiny stars. White flowers adorn the streets, restaurant entrances, and even the windows of some apartments.

White flowers symbolize purity, good fortune and… peace.

When I think about that, my gaze drifts toward Bastian, who drives with one hand on the steering wheel while holding at freshly lit cigarette between the fingers of the other.

The smoke slowly mixes with the scent of leather and masculine cologne inside the vehicle.

I didn’t even know he had that habit. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smoke.

“Bastian.” I murmur and his expression softens slightly when he glances at me. “Are you nervous or upset?”

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