Chapter 125: _What The Heck Is Happening To Me?
Celeste’s POV
*****
Montecito, 8:22 Am
’Celeste.’
’Wake up.’
My eyes opened wide when I heard a voice. It sounded close. Like really close.
I turned to my left and right, squinting with confusion when I didn’t see them. My mates.
The bed was a mess, my body tucked under a soft bed cloth. Fresh morning air blew past the balcony entrance, sunlight streaming past the clouds left by last night’s rain.
That wasn’t all.
Standing on the balcony with a glass of wine and his back facing me was none other than Azrael. He was still, donned in the black robe from last night.
Images of all we did flashed through my mind.
Heat crawled down my neck but before I could lie back and pretend I didn’t hear that voice call me—
"You’re awake." Azrael intoned, not bothering to turn back. "Good morning, little miss. I trust your sleep was... Restful."
Sigh. Spoke too soon.
I hopped off the bed, keeping the bed cloth covering my nakedness. "G–Good morning, Azrael."
My hair was a mess and I probably smelled like sex, sin and four horny men.
But oh well.
I placed my hands on the railing when I got beside him, letting out a gentle breath. "Isn’t it a bit too early to be downing a glass of wine?"
Unsurprisingly, he had his glasses on.
I was beginning to wonder if he’d been bluffing about the ’chaos’ his eyes could cause. I mean, I’ve stared into them multiple times and nothing happened.
Not to mention he took off his glasses in the presence of the others last night. Nothing happened as far as I know.
"You need not worry about how I enjoy my wine, little miss." Azrael angled his head to me, glasses lowering by a few centimetres as he took me in.
He stared for a few seconds too long like he hadn’t seen me inside and out last night.
Gods, just thinking about it had my knees wobbling.
I tightened my grip on the railing, trying not to get swept away by the embarrassment in my chest. "If you insist. Anyway, where are the others?"
He finally swerved his head away from me, taking a sip from his wine. "Atlas is making breakfast. The Hale brothers went into town to see if they could find any... Activities we can indulge in for the rest of our stay."
’You shouldn’t be embarrassed, Celeste.’
Chills coiled around me.
It was that voice again.
Dazed, I blinked at Azrael. "Did you say something?"
"Hm?" His head tilted. "I said Atlas is cooking while—"
"No, no..." I shook my head, already feeling like I was going insane. "After that."
Even with his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, his confusion at my words was clear.
Heck, even I was getting confused.
That voice wasn’t my own thoughts or mental self. It was like another person was present, speaking loud and clear beside me. Or... Inside me?
’You aren’t insane, Celeste.’ This time the voice sounded soft. Comforting. ’And we have spoken before. Once. Don’t you remember?’
As I spiralled, Azrael grabbed my elbow, startling me.
"Hey." He muttered. "Are you okay? I didn’t say anything else. Or... Are you still groggy from sleep?"
Although his concern warmed my heart, I desperately needed space to figure out what the fuck was going on with me.
If this were someone trying to reach out telepathically, I would’ve known.
No.
This was different.
"I–I’m fine," I forced a smile I knew damn well he didn’t trust. "I think I just need a bath. To refresh."
"If you’re overwhelmed by what happened last night—"
"Of course, not." I managed to slip out of his hold, shaking my head. "We... We made no mistakes last night. And I regret nothing. I promise."
Words that even I didn’t believe slipped out of my mouth like a memorised mantra.
Yet I ignored Azrael’s suspicion flowing through the bond, turning on my heels and walking fast out of there. ’Who are you? Are you still there?’
’I’ve always been here, Celeste.’ The voice was clearly feminine now. ’I’ve been waiting for the day your subconscious finally accepts you. Wholly.’
I rushed out of the room, barely shutting the door behind me.
Trailing down the hallway in hopes of getting to my room, I whispered despite myself. "A–Are you my..."
Just then I remembered something.
The Blood Trials.
During the Hybrid trial specifically, I heard a voice in my head. One that told me a lot of weird things, including how I apparently had powers I was denying subconsciously.
And that I’ll learn eventually.
Back then, I thought it was the pocket dimension playing tricks on me.
Now? I realised the voice I was hearing was exactly the one from back then. Only this time it was sharper. Like a part of me that existed and never did at once.
’You’ve gotten it.’ She was cheerier. ’It’s me. Your—’
"This can’t be possible." I got to my room, hurriedly slamming the door behind me when I stepped in. "It... It just can’t."
Despite telling myself that, I knew deep down what this voice was.
Yep.
MY WOLF.
’It feels so good to be heard by you.’ she chuckled. ’I knew you’d get to this point soon enough. And this is only the beginning.’
I strode to my vanity, still clutching the bed cloth to my chest. "After all these years. You just... Magically pop up? And that’s it?"
’Is that so hard to believe when you live and breathe magic?’
"Yes!" I yelled, staring at my reflection as the bedclothes fell to the floor. Pooling around my feet. My eyes searched the mirror cabinet, finding a piece of jewellery I hadn’t placed much importance on since I got it.
The Blood pendant Dean handed me after the Trials.
"He said it would bring clarity and stabilise my two sides over time," my words came out shaky. "Could it have... Changed something? Is this madness still linked to my mates?"
’Celeste...’
"Or does it have something to do with last night?" I spun away from the mirror, brushing a hand through my dishevelled hair. "Fuck, this is confusing. I–I actually have a wolf."
’Celeste!’ my wolf howled with alarm. ’Look—your arms!’
My brows furrowed.
By Selene, what now?
Raising my arms to my face, I didn’t know what to expect.
Maybe I was shifting or—
Dear gods...
"W–what?" I turned back to the mirror just in case my eyes were playing tricks.
However, reality’s slap wasn’t gentle.
Pulsing on my arms, from the shoulders to my wrists were dark sigils. Flickering beneath my skin. Coiling like they’d replaced my veins. Flaring with heat that made me hiss.
Horror gnawed at my very soul, my gaze staring at my reflection with disbelief as my heart raced.
What the heck is happening to me?
