The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Tanner Blackwood despises himself, but he has not lost hope. Celine accepted the rejection, and that is something he will never be able to change. However, there is still a thread between them that has not completely broken. He feels it. His wolf does too. It is a weak, distant sensation that becomes harder to perceive with each passing day, but it is still there because Prince Bastian Thorn and Celine have not yet marked each other or completed the bond.

That reality has become a silent obsession over the last few days, and he cannot stop wondering why.

Could it be that she does not love the prince? Could it be that she still does not feel safe by his side?

After all, Bastian Thorn has a reputation for being vicious. He is cold, unpredictable, and the stories that circulate about him would be enough to freeze the blood of even the bravest wolf. Tanner has heard rumors about enemies executed without mercy, exemplary punishments, and a cruelty capable of breaking even seasoned warriors. But every time he tries to convince himself that Celine might be unhappy by his side, another memory ends up overpowering all the others.

“Thank you for the gift. If you hadn’t rejected her, I never would have found her.”

Those words remained engraved in his memory with unbearable clarity. He could remember the prince’s expression perfectly, the way he had looked at him, and the tone of that voice filled with restrained fury. Bastian had been furious, that much was obvious. Tanner had felt the desire to kill him hanging in the air like a constant threat, but beneath that rage there had been something else, something he only understood days later. The prince had been desperate to find her. Desperate to make sure she was still alive. Desperate to get her back.

No one searched for a woman like that if she meant nothing to them, and no one crossed half a territory, destroyed everything in his path, and challenged an entire pack for someone who meant nothing. That certainty haunted him constantly because, no matter how much he tried to hate Bastian Thorn, he knew the prince had done for Celine what he himself had failed to do.

The Alpha shook his head to drive those thoughts away and threw a thick jacket over his shoulders without bothering to fasten it.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs. I’m going to take a shower.”

Tanner left the office alongside Christian. The two walked down the hallway while several pack members moved in and out of the offices carrying documents, boxes, and records that had to be reorganized after the fall of the Miller family.

The atmosphere was far from calm. Rumors continued spreading throughout the territory, warriors were patrolling more than usual, and practically everyone seemed to have something to say about the new leadership.

“I need to release the Millers first before leaving for the kingdom, and I need to talk to Thomas about offering him the Beta position.”

“Do whatever you want, just don’t take too long.”

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Christian shot him a sidelong glance and let out a tired sigh.

“Tanner, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go to the kingdom. Bastian won’t allow you to get close to his Luna.”

“As I said, there are a few things I need to discuss with him. Don’t worry about me.”

Christian slowly shook his head as they descended the stairs.

“I’m not worried about what you do. I’m worried that you still believe this has some kind of happy ending for you. You rejected her, Tanner. She accepted the rejection, and now she is the future queen of the kingdom. She is a Thorn now.”

The Alpha clenched his jaw but continued walking without answering.

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The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

“Whatever you say. It’s your neck, not mine

Christian headed toward the administrative offices while Tanner continued toward the rooms reserved for guests.

Part of him kept trying to convince himself that the trip to the kingdom made sense, that there were still unanswered questions and unfinished conversations. The other part knew the truth perfectly well.

He was not traveling there to speak with the prince.

He was not traveling to help Christian, nor was he traveling for political matters. He was doing it to see her again. He only hoped that Celine would not reject him again the way she had the last time at the hospital, when she looked at him as though he were a complete stranger and made it clear that she had no interest in hearing anything he had to say.

Meanwhile, Christian descended toward the cells accompanied by several warriors. As they made their way down the stone stairs, the air grew colder and heavier. The smell of dampness, mold, and filth became stronger with every step, mixing with the metallic scent of rusted bars and prolonged confinement. The torches mounted on the walls cast uneven shadows across the bare stone, barely illuminating the narrow underground corridors.

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