Chapter 107: _Avoidance Is Strength... Until It Isn’t
Luther’s POV
*****
Montecito California, 1:15 pm.
The last two days have been mental torture. Literally, if you asked him.
Because how can he have meaningful conversations with his mate—the woman he loves—and then in the same breath, watch her smooch his brother?
Over. And over. And over again.
Rumours began spreading that Celeste was playing around with both brothers. The students weren’t even trying to hide their gossip, side-eyeing him. Terming him a no-good player.
Hearing all that barely phased him. People will always find something to talk about, no matter how popular or good you are.
But Celeste—she gave him just enough distance to not be harsh or cruel. Yet not enough closeness to make him feel needed at all.
Now they’d arrived at the beach house in Montecito. And up ahead, his brother was already making it known whose boyfriend he is, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Here we are." Celeste giggled, spreading out her arms at the serene duplex in front of them. "Looks... Homey. I wonder why they never brought us here growing up."
The beach house was elevated slightly from the dunes and crashing waves, with seagulls flying over it. A narrow stone pathway led to the front door, small green hedges lining either side.
As for the house itself, it stood firm against the winds, painted white with arched glass windows which refracted sunlight, giving the building a faint golden hue.
Luther squinted, placing a hand over his eyes. "How many rooms?"
Celeste stiffened for a moment before glancing over her shoulder. "Uh... Four."
’Sigh. So much for forced proximity.’ his wolf whined. ’Don’t worry, champ. We’ll get our shot. Eventually.’
"So what do we do first?" Silas turned around alongside Celeste, not withdrawing his arm for even a breath. "Take a tour inside or—"
"Meditation," Atlas moved forward, snapping his neck with an exhausted sigh. "And then maybe a brief nap."
He walked past Celeste and Silas, flashing the former a smile. Then he looked back at Luther. "Alpha. You’ve been distant since before we arrived."
"Yeah, Luther," Celeste added, concern pulsing through the bond. "Are you good?"
Luther blinked once, lips thinning. Then, "I’m chill. I’m just going to stand here and... Wait for Azrael." He paused, looking away from them until he faced the sea. "You guys go ahead. I’ll settle in my room later."
The ocean waters and overall scenery were a good distraction from his thoughts and spiralling instincts.
Soon, he heard the shuffling of footsteps before the others left him behind. When the front door shut behind them as well... He let out a breath.
"I don’t know how many more days I can stand seeing those two together," Luther mumbled to himself, placing his hands in his pockets. "And then Atlas. How can he just seem mostly unbothered by them?"
’Oh, no he’s bothered alright.’ his wolf chimed. ’He just doesn’t dote around like a jealous kitten when a new one shows up.’
"Very funny." He deadpanned. "Three days. We’re supposed to be here for that long and I already feel like I’m in urgent need of a lobotomy."
’I thought your dear Lysandra helped with that already.’
"I’m serious, mutt," his demeanour transformed into something more melancholic. "Talking to her hasn’t worked. Getting to know her hasn’t worked either since she’s... Barely changed. Deep down she’s still the same socially awkward but fierce girl I grew to fall in love with."
Images of their happy moments flickered in his mind. Like fireflies afraid to glow.
"What do I have to do to mean something to her again?" He blurted, jaw tightening. "Keep on lingering around like a shadow over their relationship? Or—"
He stopped, blood turning to ice when the wind suddenly became chilly. The sound of boots crunching against the sand echoed from his right, forcing him to look in that direction.
Shadows blurred the edges of his vision for just a split second—then HE appeared.
Azrael.
Signature long black leather jacket. Sunglasses that were perpetually on his face. And a walk that felt like he owned the place and didn’t belong anywhere all at once.
Instantly, Luther regretted not following the others into the house.
"By the gods of gossip," Azrael’s lips curved into a smirk. "I believe this era has people to talk to instead of themselves. For money—what are they called?"
Luther smiled sarcastically as he drew closer. "Normal people call them ’therapists’."
"You and I know I’m far from normal."
The sound of laughter from Celeste and Silas in the house reached Luther. He couldn’t hide his annoyance, fingers curling hard.
Perhaps staying out here with the witch wasn’t so bad.
"Let me guess," Azrael sighed when he got beside him, arms folding across his chest, "Celeste and Silas are in there playing house. And you," he placed a hand on Luther’s shoulder, "are the jealous brother-in-law."
A small laugh left the other man, holding for a few seconds.
Luther angled his head at him, eyes trailing to the hand on his shoulder. "Easy for you to say. You leisurely avoided seeing them like that by coming here on your own."
"Because avoidance is sometimes strength, little Alpha." Azrael withdrew his hand, tone dropping. "But only for so long. Before approaching that which you avoid becomes more and more inevitable."
Neither of them said anything for a while, staring at the ocean and its waves.
This part of the beach was indeed peaceful. Luther couldn’t pick up traces of any person for hundreds of meters.
"The truth, my dear rival," Azrael finally spoke again. "Celeste too can’t ignore the bonds for long. Isolation will test each of us here. Remember what the last letter said."
Oh, of course.
Control.
Although they all thought it was targeted at Celeste, perhaps all five of them could take something from the word too.
Just when Luther was considering finally heading inside, he heard the front door swing open. "Azrael. For a minute I thought you’d bail." Celeste’s voice rang like a siren song.
Both men turned around simultaneously, Vaelmont’s smile widening. "Of course, not, little miss."
Silas walked out beside her while Atlas trailed behind, head lowered.
"I think we should go into town," Celeste suggested, beaming and probably unaware of the internal turmoil sizzling in him. "There are a lot of activities we can indulge in within three days. It can be an opportunity to... Bond."
Bond.
Glancing at Azrael first then his brother and Atlas next—Luther could hardly imagine ’bonding’ with any of them. No. The only one he wanted in his proximity was Celeste.
But if going for these activities would make her happy—
"Let’s go then." Luther forced a smile. "I guess it should be fun."
When Celeste mirrored his smile, his wolf became restless.
If ’Control’ was a warning... he was already failing it.
