The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

B

She rises to her feet with effortless grace and begins walking toward me with a warm smile on her face. For a moment. I think she’s going to stop at a polite distance, but she doesn’t. She wraps her arms around my shoulders as though we ve known each other our entire lives, kisses my cheek with complete familiarity, and before I can react, takes both of my hands

in hers.

“Celine, I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

Her voice is sweet.

Far too sweet.

Just as cloying as the strong perfume she’s wearing, which once again tickles my nose.

“What are you doing here, Nadia?”

Bastian’s voice echoes behind me, and I immediately notice the warmth with which he greets her. Nadia turns her head, lets go of my hands as though she’d never been holding them, and without hesitating for a second, crosses the short distance between them to hug him enthusiastically.

She hugs my man.

My mate.

Right in front of me.

The discreet giggles escaping from the group of vipers still lounging on the sofa catch my attention. I turn my head slightly and find Arlet Black watching the scene with a satisfaction she doesn’t even try to hide.

“Welcome, Luna Celine.” Her smile is flawless as she finally rises to her feet.

The other two women immediately follow her lead, lowering their heads in a curtsy that is as perfect as it is fake. I don’t know if it’s the perfume filling the room or my growing distrust, but that gesture smells like wolfsbane and silver essence to

“We’ve been waiting for you for hours. We came to keep Miss Nadia company while you were on your way back.”

I don’t answer. I simply watch them for a few seconds before turning my attention back to Bastian.

And there they still are.

He and Nadia are talking with complete ease, as though they hadn’t seen each other in years. She smiles, speaks quickly, and he even lets out a small laugh.

Neither of them seems to remember that I’m still standing here.

Astra growls in displeasure.

“I don’t like her.”

“I know.”

Without saying a single word, I loosen the strap holding Erebus across my back and adjust the sword before turning toward the staircase.

I have no intention of standing there watching that scene for another second.

13:13 Tue, Aug 18 F.

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

I start walking toward our chambers, feeling the eyes of those women fixed on my back.

i don’t like Nadia’s presence.

I don’t like the fact that she, of all people, chose to gather with the only women in this kingdom who have never hidden the contempt they feel for me.

And I like it even less that Bastian, even if only for a few moments, completely forgot that I was standing there

I’m upset

But not exactly with Bastian.

Not even with Nadia.

I’m upset because those women are up to something, and I still can’t figure out what it is. They always appear at exactly the right moment, wearing their flawless smiles and choosing their words so carefully that they make me feel like an intruder As though, no matter how many people call me Luna, I’m still nothing more than a servant who walked into a place where she didn’t belong.

I shake my head, trying to push those thoughts away, and walk into our chambers. I place Erebus on the dresser with the same care as always before heading into the bathroom. Hot water begins filling the room with steam while Astra stirs inside me, pacing back and forth with obvious unease.

“Go downstairs right now and throw her out of the castle.”

“I can’t do that, Astra.

“Yes, you can. You’re the future Luna and the future queen of this damned kingdom.”

“Bastian seems happy to see her… she’s his friend.”

My wolf answers with a growl that echoes inside my head.

“Friends don’t mark their territory with perfume.”

I decide not to answer.

I take off my clothes and let the hot water run over my body, hoping it will wash away the knot in my chest as well. I close my eyes, take a deep breath over and over again, and force my mind to focus solely on the steady sound of the water. For a few minutes, I manage to silence Astra…

And my own thoughts as well.

When I step out of the shower wrapped in a robe, I walk into the dressing room and change into comfortable clothes. I’ve barely finished putting on my thermal shirt when two soft knocks at the door remind me that dinner time is approaching.

I don’t want dinner.

I need to do anything else.

Move.

Train.

Clear my head.

I need to wear my body out so I’ll stop thinking, because the longer I remain still, the more Nadia’s smile, those women’s giggles, and the way Bastian seemed to completely forget I was even there keep replaying in my mind.

13.15 Tue, Aug 18 F

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

I open the door and raise an eyebrow slightly when I see who’s waiting on the other side of the hallway

Is something wrong?” I step aside to let her in and close the door behind us. “When did you get here”

“I never left. I’ve been in this castle ever since you all left for Greenland, Celine.”

Aymara walks in as naturally as if she belonged here and sits on the edge of the bed before folding her arms across her chest

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