Chapter 8: Meeting Devlin

Celeste POV

‘Celeste, wake up, you're in trouble.’ I hear a voice conversing with me, but I don't recognize it.

‘Who are you?’ I ask the voice.

'I will meet you in due time. But you must leave!’

With that, I bolt up from the bed. The sun is still shining and it appears to be late afternoon. Obviously, I wasn't asleep for too long. Suddenly, my memories flooded back into my head. Did I dream this? How did Zayden become a wolf? Were all the sweet words he said a dream? I shake the thoughts away. I get up and search for my phone and shoes. Now is the time to act. It's time to leave.

I peek out the door and see a few more guards patrolling the hall. Why all the security? I close the door and head for the windows. Upon gazing out, I'm about 3 stories high, if I have been told correctly. I am not a normal person. The jump should be no problem for me. I look around after opening the window. No one is around. I count to three as I hold my breath.

1... 2...3...

I jump.

My feet land with a thud.

It wasn't painful at all. I look back up at the window, I really just jumped out! I am in shock. Time to find an escape route.

Around the side of the house, I creep along the bushes. The area around the entrance has a few guards and I expect that there will be more to come. There must be a way out, but I can't see one.

There is a tall, black, metal fence surrounding the house. Huh, time to see what I can really do. I run toward the fence. Jumping for it, I pull myself up and jump over the fence.

I'm in a wooded area, but I should be able to find my way out and find a place to hide.

After running for a while, I found myself in a small shopping district. This is a place I've never been to before. The buildings are old and there are many antique shops. Several people are wondering the street though the area wasn't very crowded.

There's a bookstore with a window display stating, "All the information you need on witchcraft is located here".

Taking this opportunity, I decide to check if there are any other books available about supernatural creatures. Upon entering the bookstore, a small bell located above the door rings. The smell of dusty books and coffee fills the air. There were walls and walls of books inside, as well as a few couches and chairs scattered around to sit and read. In the store, no one was in attendance; the counter with the register was vacant. My eyes are drawn back to the entrance where a flashing "Open" sign was visible. They may be at the back. Shrugging, I walk over to a row of books and start looking for some books to read.

After some time. My arms are carrying a stack of books and I sit them on a table in a corner. "The Fated Mate" was the first book I pick up since I was curious about the mate thing. I’ll read a few passages. I was skimming through the book when one part catches my eye.

"The Moon Goddess blesses those who worship the moon, who carry the blood of wolves. Blessed individuals will be mated with one another, and as a result will be loyal, loving, and above all will raise their pups. Each Alpha bloodline must protect their pack, and with their chosen mate, become the Luna of their pack. Neither will tolerate injustice nor compromise the safety of their pack. You must never reject your mate, as this is a sacred bond that cannot be broken. Your chances of a second partner are slim, and you may live a life of loneliness forever. If you accept your mate, you must protect, love, and fulfill the duties of the mate. You will feel their sadness, pain, and happiness. When you find your mate, you will not be able to ignore the calling..."

That's it for this book. Is this the whole mate thing? Is Zayden my mate?

Was he being so caring for that reason? Was the kindness and love he expressed all because of the mate bond? It all seems a bit confusing to me. Despite how much I deny what happened, he transformed into a wolf. That wolf is familiar to me, I have seen it before. He has the same look as the wolf of my dreams.

I have been living a lie. My grandparents kept this from me, and Oliver, my best friend, knows about me. Although it was done to protect me, I am still terribly hurt.

It feels as if someone is watching me.

"My lady, please pardon me, but you appear to be in distress."

A man stands behind me as I turn to look. With slicked back, dark brown hair, and blue eyes that matched the sky, he was tall and slender. His eyes were the most striking blue I've ever seen. I feel an aura of royalty about him.

I'd describe Zayden as handsome, but more in the bad boy or cold style. The ones you should probably avoid.

The man in front of me has a smile that would win a lady's heart.

“I am fine, did I bother you? I apologize if I did. It hadn't occurred to me that others were around." I reply with a shy smile.

"I see your mind is troubled. I might be a stranger, but I cannot leave a beautiful lady to cry alone. May I sit with you?” The handsome man smiles at me with his spectacular white teeth.

I feel like I am being hypnotize by his beauty, nodding my head and he sat across from me.

“May I ask your name?” He stares at me with those blue eyes.

"You can call me Celeste." He smiles broadly and extends his hand.

"What a lovely name. I am Devlin." I extend my hand to him, and he gently grabs my hand and kisses the top of it. The air inside me begins to feel hot, and I feel uneasy. His eyes look up at me again and he smiles.

* * *

Zayden’s POV

“I can't believe she is missing!” my voice roars.

I stare at my pack members in confusion, "How did she get past you all! Surely I told you to increase security!” My fist slams into the wall. Rage burns in my eyes.

"You better hope there won't be a hair on her head damaged, or else you will feel the burning rage of my wolf." I glance around the dining room.

Rather than waiting for a response, I head outside to see if I can smell her scent. I walk towards the window of the room she stayed in, where she jumped from. For someone who was in denial of who she was, I couldn't help but chuckle. I admire her courage. As I scour the area, my nose takes over. Towards the fence, there is a hint of lavender. The scent she left behind is overwhelming as I approach the area.

Matthew approaches me, "Did she go this way?

"Do you think she went to the old shopping district?" I turn to look at my beta.

“The one no human has ever seen? It's possible, should we take the car?" Matthew watches me see if I will shift or act rationally.

"Let's take the car just to make sure she's not there; also, I don't want to run into any curious humans." He nods and proceeds to get the car ready.

As I look over the fence, I can't help but wonder how I let her go so easily. I didn't even consider her running away, but her life changed in an instant. She went from being a normal human to discovering that she is a wolf on her birthday. It's no surprise that she left. Turning away from the fence, I walk to my car.

It takes us 15 minutes to get to the old shopping district. While I am walking around, I see the creatures of the streets retreating into the stores or alleyways. She is nearby, I can smell her. I scan the now empty streets.

Celeste, where did you run to? She is close by, but her scent is everywhere. I see a bookstore. Did she go there? My beta comes up behind me just as I'm about to head to the shop.

“In the alley next door, there is a human body, completely drained of blood. Low-rank vampires wouldn't come out in the sun when it's still daylight. It's either a lord or someone very powerful.” I grimace.

As I gaze into the storefront windows, my heart stops in my chest. Celeste is talking to someone in the back.

Devlin.