The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183

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He keeps looking at me for a moment without saying anything before stepping away again, as if the conversation were over

I remain there, facing Vladimir, who watches his brother with a smile I don’t particularly like. There is something behind it. Something he clearly knows that I don’t.

“You’ll have to be very patient with my brother. His nature isn’t like ours. He’s a warlock ruled by darkness. That doesn mean he’s evil, but he’s at war with himself. I felt the same way he does when I met Morgana.”

“About her…”

Vladimir lets out a slow breath.

“Morgana rejected me a long time ago, and I accepted her rejection.”

“I’m sorry. It must have been difficult.”

Vladimir nods, but his eyes return to his brother. He remains silent for a few seconds, as if carefully choosing his next words.

“Johan is younger than me. He didn’t grow up with me or my mother. He left with his father when he was still a child, and since then, we’ve barely had any contact. But let me tell you something: he is my family. My brother. And I don’t want him to suffer. He doesn’t deserve it. He has already lost too much throughout his life.”

I follow his gaze until I find Johan. He remains apart from the group, watching the portal that is beginning to form behind

him.

“I don’t want to hurt him either.”

Vladimir looks at me again.

“Then accept him as your mate and the three of you work together. Because separately, it’s impossible.”

I lower my voice almost instinctively.

“I don’t think Bastian will agree to that.”

Vladimir gives me a sideways smile.

“It doesn’t depend on him, beautiful. You are the Dire Wolf who holds those bonds together. There is nothing you can do to break them.”

My fingers close around the small red stone Killian gave me.

I look at Johan one more time. Maybe Vladimir is right.

And maybe the real problem isn’t deciding what to do about the bonds, but discovering what Bastian is willing to do once he finally understands that he has no control over them.

“Vlad. I think the time has come.”

“I know, sweetheart. I noticed it last night. Your belly has dropped, which means your pup is ready to come into the world.”

I take a breath, hold it for several seconds, and then slowly let it out. I don’t answer. I feel a thin layer of sweat forming on my forehead and place a hand over my belly, as if I need to reassure myself that everything is all right.

“I’m fine. I can handle this.”

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11:43 PT, Aug 21 MU

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

“I know. You’re a strong woman. Now tell Bastian and go upstairs to your room.”

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god, and Vladimir steps closer to embrace me. His arms wrap around me with unexpected warmth, and for a few seconds, 10pw myself to remain there, resting may cheek against his shoulder.

I wish this embrace could come from my own brother, but he is gone. Tanner killed him that night in the forest. And even if he were here, he would never have held me with the tenderness Vladimir is showing me now.

I suppose some things never change. I still think of Cassius as if he had been someone else, someone kind, someone who stood beside me, someone capable of treating me with the same affection Ciro shows his sisters. But Cassius was never ke that with me.

And whether it hurts or not, I have to leave him in the past.

“You can go. Vlad. I’ll take care of your brother, and I promise you that.”

“It’s not the others you need to protect him from, little wolf. You need to protect him from himself.”

“I will.”

Vlad steps away and walks toward his brother. They hold each other’s gaze for a few seconds before Vlad embraces him. At first, Johan tenses. His hands curl into fists against his body, but little by little, his fingers relax until they rest open against hi brother’s back. I don’t know what they’re saying because I can’t hear anything from where I’m standing.

It’s a farewell between brothers. A private one.

Vlad and Johan take their places on either side of the portal and, when they combine their magic, the opening expands until it occupies almost the entire space in front of us. Tanner and the kings are the first to cross, followed by the rest of the army. Zharzel is the last of them.

“See you soon, Auntie.”

Bastian raises an eyebrow, but the demon lets out a small laugh and crosses the portal.

“Did he just call you Auntie?”

“That’s what I heard. Zharzel can be a little… playful.”

The army crosses the portal at vampire speed and, within seconds, no one remains on this side except Johan and Vladimir.

“We’ll see you soon. Take care.”

Vlad crosses the portal, and it closes behind him, disappearing as if it had never been there.

Bastian’s gaze immediately falls on Johan.

“You’re still here? Why didn’t you go home with them?”

Johan looks at him without moving.

“This is my new home, Bastian. I told you before, and I’m telling you again now, this time in front of our mate.” He looks at me for a second before turning his eyes back to Bastian. “I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving her. And if you have a problem with that, you’ll have to kill me.”

Bastian steps toward him, but I move between them before he can get any closer. Maybe Vlad’s words have given me the courage I needed.

“You will not touch Johan. I recognize him as my mate, and I accept him.”

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