The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 74

Celine

I open my eyes when Bastian’s arms wrap around me and pull me closer to his warm body. He smells of freshly used soap and his natural scent, that woody and comforting aroma that has already become my favorite. I lazily stretch my legs beneath the soft blankets and turn around to press myself against his chest, enjoying the warmth radiating from him and the steady sound of his heartbeat.

My body still aches, but my wolf has done her part and throughout the morning has taken care of healing some of the soreness that made me shiver last night. Astra remains calm and content inside me, as though she too is enjoying the peace surrounding us.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” He kisses the crown of my head while one of his large hands absentmindedly strokes my bare/ back. “I thought you’d already be awake. How are you feeling?”

His nose brushes along my neck, stopping precisely where he left his mark on my skin. A pleasant shiver spreads all over me, and when I lift my face, I discover that his black eyes are watching me attentively, as though he still can’t believe that m really here, in his arms.

“I’m still sleepy.” I smile while absentmindedly playing with one of the unbuttoned buttons on his shirt. “And I feel good. Better than ever.”

He hugs me more tightly, and I let him spoil me without feeling the slightest bit guilty. I’m so in love and so happy that it still feels unreal to be in the Prince’s arms, because only a few days ago I was sleeping on an old mattress, enduring cold and misery in a damp servants’ room, and now I wake up in a warm bed, in the arms of my mate, allowing myself to be loved. No one had ever shown me as much affection, patience, and care as he has in just a few days, and for the first time since I can remember, can imagine a future without fear. I’ll have a good life, I’ll be able to be happy, grow as a person, and build a family.

With him.

“Then sleep a little longer. Afterward, we’ll go downstairs for lunch, because we have visitors.”

“Has Magnus returned with Jared?” I smile excitedly and even sit up slightly on the bed, but the joy doesn’t last long when Bastian shakes his head and a small amused smile appears on his lips.

“No. My father and Jared will return in three weeks for the mating ceremony and the coronation. Do you remember?”

I deflate like a punctured balloon and let my head fall back onto his chest.

“Right. Then who’s visiting us in weather as terrible as today’s?”

Thunder rumbles loudly beyond the windows, and I don’t know at what point in the morning it started raining. The lit fireplace keeps the room pleasantly warm and, beyond the thick curtains, only a gray curtain of rain and the occasional flash of lightning briefly illuminating the castle can be seen.

“Your uncle Christian is here. He arrived a few hours ago.”

I stare at the ceiling for a moment, remembering what we did last night and feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. The memories return one after another, and for a few seconds I completely forget about my uncle and the outside world. But Bastian climbs on top of me, resting his elbows on the mattress and pinning me beneath the weight of his enormous body. His legs tangle with mine, and a small amused smile appears on his lips when he catches me blushing again.

“Don’t you want him here? Because if you don’t want to see him, I can make him leave.”

His dark eyes shine intensely, but not like they did last night. That wild darkness that nearly made me tremble is gone, replaced by something much warmer and gentler. Even so, the way he looks at me is still so intense that it continues to

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The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

make me nervous.

“Celine… I asked you a question.”

I hear his voice directly inside my head, and a pleasant shiver runs through my body. Bastian smiles when he notices my surprise, leans down to kiss me softly, and then runs one of his fingers over the mark he left on my neck the previous night. The simple touch makes my wolf stir happily inside me.

“This little thing here allows me to feel your emotions and speak to you through our bond. Now tell me…” His lips curve withy amusement as he absentmindedly caresses my neck. “What’s going on inside that little head of yours?”

I hug him tightly and take advantage of the fact that he’s not expecting it to throw him off balance. Bastian lets out a small laugh when he falls beside me, and I immediately take the opportunity to tangle myself around him, hiding my face against his chest while his arms automatically wrap around me. The steady sound of his heart and the warmth radiating from him make me feel even more relaxed.

“My uncle couldn’t have picked a worse time to come visit.”

Bastian’s deep laughter vibrates against my cheek, and his fingers continue absentmindedly stroking my back.

“Sweetheart, your uncle is now the new Alpha of your former pack, and he didn’t come to visit. He came because I sent an urgent telegram ordering him to present himself at the castle and… he didn’t come alone. Tanner came with him as well. We had a small inconvenience a little while ago.”

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