The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

45 vouch

A motorcycle appears on the main road and rides through the castle’s open gates. Its headlights illuminate the wet gravel as the vehicle approaches at high speed before slowing to a stop in front of the main entrance. The engine continues vibrating for a few seconds after it stops, and the sound echoes against the stone walls.

Jack immediately abandons his post and heads toward the newcomer.

I can’t see who it is.

The black helmet completely covers his face.

“Were you expecting someone?” I ask Bastian as I finally step out of the truck.

My mate keeps his eyes fixed on the stranger.

“Yes, but not this soon. I thought he’d arrive tomorrow morning.”

My curiosity immediately begins to stir.

The man switches off the engine and remains motionless for a few seconds. Then he removes his gloves, stuffs them into one of his jacket pockets, and finally raises both hands to his helmet.

Bastian is already walking toward him when the stranger finally removes it. A mass of dark hair falls messily across his forehead, and as his face is revealed beneath the entrance lights, I finally recognize him.

It’s Thomas Lightwood, the Gamma from the Blood Moon Pack.

A smile immediately appears on my face.

The last time I saw him, he was injured. There had been blood, tension, and far too many things happening at once for me to stop and think about it, but seeing him standing in front of the castle now, fully recovered and apparently strong enough to cross half the kingdom on a motorcycle, fills my chest with an unexpected sense of relief.

Thomas takes a few steps forward with Jack following behind him, and they stop in front of us.

“Prince Bastian. Luna Celine. Good evening,” he greets before bowing respectfully.

A smile settles on my lips before I can stop it.

I wasn’t expecting to see him so soon, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see him standing in front of me after everything that happened that night.

Thomas has barely straightened from his bow when I release Bastian’s hand and walk directly toward him.

I don’t think about it.

I simply hug him.

The poor Gamma goes completely rigid.

His shoulders tense beneath my arms, and his hands remain frozen at his sides while he tries to process what just happened. The surprise on his face is so obvious that, for a moment, he seems to have forgotten how to react. After all, he was probably expecting a formal greeting, a polite welcome, or some diplomatic conversation.

Not an ambush of happiness.

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Zack’s deep growl immediately echoes through the air, and I have to suppress a smile.

I don’t need to turn around to know that my mate is not exactly thrilled by the situation.

Thomas appears torn between returning the hug, remaining perfectly still, or running away.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well,” I finally tell him.

Some of the tension leaves his shoulders.

“I’m glad to see you as well, Luna.”

Behind me, I can feel Bastian’s gaze.

A very specific gaze.

The kind that says he’s trying to behave like a reasonable person while his wolf considers hugging other men a deeply offensive activity.

Thomas finally looks up at him.

“Did I arrive at a bad time?” Thomas’s voice is deep and calm.

“Nothing important,” Bastian answers with complete composure.

“I was training my mate,” I clarify.

Thomas blinks once and then, with his usual warrior’s composure, steps aside when I finally release him. He asks no further questions. He doesn’t even seem particularly surprised. After surviving among problematic wolves for so many years, I suspect very few things are capable of unsettling him.

“I arrived ahead of the others so I could meet the team and have everything prepared for tomorrow, Your Highness.”

My smile fades slightly.

“The others?” I ask, unable to hide a trace of concern.

Others sounds like a lot of people.

Too many.

And from the Blood Moon Pack, the only people I truly wanted to see in the kingdom were Jared and Thomas.

Bastian gives me a brief glance before answering.

“We’ll talk about that during dinner, which you’re invited to, Beta Lightwood. For now, let’s go inside. Our Luma needs to get cleaned up first.”

I don’t like that answer.

Not even a little.

And precisely because of that, I know I’m not getting any more information until dinner.

My mate takes my hand again, and together we walk through the castle doors. Jack and Thomas follow a few steps behind us. I catch fragments of their conversation as we cross the enormous entrance hall.

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Schedules

Guard rotations.

Castle restrictions.

Security protocols,

Thomas barely speaks. He simply listens attentively while Jack explains how everything works. He nods occasionally and memorizes every detail with the same discipline that has always defined him.

The staircase comes into view, and we begin climbing toward the second floor.

This time, I’m surprised to find the corridor different.

Brighter.

Warmer.

Several new lamps cast a soft glow across the walls, and decorative arrangements now occupy spaces that once seemed empty. It isn’t a dramatic change, but it’s enough to make the place feel less cold than it did when I first arrived

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