She was beautiful. Long white hair, delicate features and a full figure that most males couldn't stop sneaking peeks at. Morgana and the other females took one look at her and instantly disliked her. Isolde couldn't tell if it was because she was a witch or pretty. But one thing was clear. She would have to keep an eye on Celeste so the others wouldn't hurt her out of jealousy and fear. Yesterday when she'd met her, her maternal instincts had been awakened and just like her mate, she'd felt obligated to protect the poor girl. However she wasn't a little girl anymore. Looking to where she stood with Caspian and Evan, Isolde wondered if the rest of the pack would be more welcoming if she'd stayed as a child.
"Luna, we can't let her stay here. She is a witch and you know how witches are"
"Stop it Morgana. Celeste hasn't done anything to you"
Morgana's eyes flashed "Should I wait until I'm on my death bed to kick her out?"
"No. You're judging her too harshly...."
"Because she's a witch"
Isolde sighed "People like you are the reason we can't get along with the other races. Have you forgotten what the Alpha said about having a peaceful coexistence with the others? We don't go looking for fights. Contrary to popular belief, we can all live in peace if we stopped judging each other so harshly"
"Don't say I didn't warn you about her" with a snort, Morgana left the dining room. Other wolves followed and Isolde couldn't tell if they agreed with her or were just done having their breakfast.
She understood their concerns but in her opinion, they were being biased. True, witches couldn't be trusted. They were devious and would often use underhanded methods to get what they wanted. But Celeste hadn't been there for even a day. Deciding to condemn her without a valid reason wasn't right. If she needed shelter then they would give it to her because they were reasonable people. Should she do anything to break their trust, they would show her no mercy. Until then, she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted. A hand settled on the back of her neck, prompting her to look up.
"Don't mind her. She'll come around"
"I'll show Celeste around" she offered, getting up. Caspian pulled her close, kissing her hard before letting her go. Isolde smiled feeling a little shy. Even though most wolves had left, there were still some at other tables. Not everyone had a mate so she always felt guilty for any public display of affection. How lonely did they feel when they saw them like that? She wished they would all find their other halfs soon "Celeste, come on. I'll show you around"
"You don't have to. I'm sure I'll find my way after getting lost a few times. I don't want to bother you"
"Nonsense. Let's go" looping her hand through Celeste's, Isolde led them out of the dining room. They went through a small corridor that led them outside "Although the pack house is big, it can't hold everyone. So other pack members have their own houses. There are also those who want their privacy. The only rule we have is that they all have at least one meal with us"
"I see"
"Yes. Right now we'll go see Kenia. She just had a pup"
"A baby? I've never seen a real one"
Isolde frowned "What do you mean you've never seen a real one?"
"I've seen them in books and TV but never met a real life baby" Celeste said excitedly
"I'm sorry but have you been living under a rock or something?"
"My house was isolated from everyone and everything"
"Why?"
"I don't know. I'd like to find my mother so I can ask her that"
She wanted to ask more questions but refrained. Celeste looked so sad when she'd spoken about her mother, making Isolde think that they'd done the right thing by taking her in. Kenia's place was beside the pack house that was built with blue stones and white brick decorations. Small, half rounded windows let in plenty of light and had been added to the house in a mostly asymmetric way. The building was shaped like an L. The extension extending into overgrown wooden overhanging panels circling around half the house.
The second floor was the same size as the first, but part of it hung over the edge of the floor below, creating an overhang on one side and a balcony on the other.
The rounded roof was low and covered with brown ceramic tiles. Two small chimneys sat at the side of the house. A few round, small windows let in enough light to the rooms below the roof. Beside it were more smaller houses, spaced to give enough privacy to those who needed it but still managed to be close to the other pack members. When Isolde had first arrived, she'd thought the arrangements were cute. The way the smaller houses surrounded Caspian's mansion so that it looked like they were all protecting their Alpha instead of the other way around.
"Kenia, are you home?" Isolde asked knocking on the blue door. When no one answered, she knocked again "Hello, are you...." Kenia swung the door open, an unwelcome expression on her face.
"Yes I'm home and I just put the baby down after. I'm tired and in no position to entertain any visitors so please come back some other time" she snarled, attempting to close the door. Isolde shot her hand out to stop her.
"I wanted you to meet Celeste. She'll be staying with us for a while"
"Is she the witch who helped you bewitch everyone?"
"Kenia..."
"I honestly don't know why you keep coming here when I've made it clear that you're not welcome"
"Does everyone in this pack have such a bad attitude? Gee, lady. No need to be so rude and to your Luna at that" Celeste remarked.
"No, don't say that Celeste. Kenia is just tired. You heard her say she's been up all night" turning to the wolf she added "We'll come back later or tomorrow. Let me know if you need any help" taking Celeste's hand, she pulled her towards the field where the warriors were sparing.
"I get that she's tired but she didn't have to be such a b***h"
"Forget that, look at all those gorgeous men"
Celeste stopped "I know your kind Isolde. Instead of fighting back, you let people walk all over you because you don't want any conflicts. You're the Luna and deserve respect from everyone. Whether they like you or not. Does Caspian know about this?"
"Like you said, I'm the Luna. I can handle them. Don't worry"
"I'm keeping my eyes on you too. If this happens again I'm telling Caspian"
"Aren't they beautiful?" She asked referring to the half naked warriors in the middle of the field.
"Do they do this every day? What time do they start?"
"Why? So you can come and watch them?" Isolde asked wriggling her eyebrows.
"Can't deny they're eye candy and I wouldn't mind watching them all day long" she fanned herself making Isolde burst into laughter.
"Good thing they don't mind putting on a show for you"
Sid, the prettiest man to ever exist had taken off his trousers and was left in a pair of boxers. He was a show off, a player who liked to sleep with anyone. Men or women. His excuse? When he finally found his mate, he wouldn't have eyes for anyone else. At the moment, his new target was Celeste. He bowed to Isolde then winked at Celeste before bracing himself for a fight with Herrick. Isolde shook her head knowing the i***t was about to get his ass whooped. If he was looking to impress a woman, choosing Herrick as his opponent was a foolish idea. The head enforcer was the meanest wolf she'd ever met. His face only had one expression. Pissed off.
"That's Sid, the one who just bowed. He's the biggest flirt to ever exist but deep down he has a kind heart. Now the one he's fighting...."
"Is definitely my type" Celeste finished for her with a cheeky smile.
"His name is Herrick, the head enforcer and that is the only face he has. Don't expect him to smile or be friendly"
"I'd like to have a match with him. Do you think he'll agree?"
Isolde smiled "I don't know. We'll ask him later. The other pair are Mei and Marscal" Mueller was standing to the side, watching as he always did. Pointing to him she said "Why don't you start with him? He doesn't have a partner"
"I didn't mean..."
"Mueller!" Isolde cut her off "Our guest would like to spar with you. Are you up for it?"
"I am" Sid answered trying to get away from Herrick. The enforcer tripped him and he landed on his face. The other warriors laughed.
"Sure" Mueller replied. Isolde noted that he hadn't made a remark about Celeste being a woman or try to put her down. Since he didn't talk much, she wasn't acquainted with him. Like Herrick, he kept to himself. She'd been there for two years and the only thing she knew about him was his name. Even Caspian had refused to divulge the little he knew about the wolf, saying if she wanted to know anything she should ask him herself. Not wanting to look nosy, Isolde had dropped the subject. Hoping they would eventually get to known each other some day.
"No magic tricks Celeste" she warned.
"I don't use my magic that way. Unless he shifts" dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, Celeste didn't need to strip like Mueller. It was normal for them to get rid of their clothes in case they decided to shift in the middle of a fight. They were men and naturally they liked to test each other's strengths, speed and power. Both Celeste and Mueller stopped in the middle of the field then crouched down in a defensive pose. They were circling each other when suddenly out of nowhere Caspian growled,
"Touch a hair on her head and you're dead Mueller" he didn't just growl. He released his alpha power, smothering everyone in the immediate vicinity with it. They all bowed their heads as a sign of submission. Only then did he stop. Isolde rolled her eyes. Her mate could be territorial and possessive sometimes. Knowing him, he'd taken Celeste as his daughter and would proceed to beat anyone who touched her to a pulp. She'd thought of introducing her to every male in the pack, hoping they would befriend her since the females had already isolated her. With the way Caspian was acting, the poor girl would never have any friends.
"What is going on honey?" She asked in a sugary tone. He blinked, as if noticing her for the first time.
"Nothing. I don't want them to hurt her. Remember she's not a werewolf"
"Mueller would never hurt her. Besides she was the one who asked to spar with him"
"She... Baby, look at her. Does she look like she has the strength to fight with him? She was ten yesterday"
"I am not weak. I can take him and all of you on at the same time" Celeste stated with her hands on her hips. Caspian shot her a disapproving look
"Take her back inside. Better yet, take her shopping since she has no clothes"
"Who would have known you were such a sexist"
"Do not provoke..."
Isolde held his hand hoping to calm him down "You're being weird Caspian. What is this about?" He looked at her then back at Celeste.
"I'm just trying to...."
"If you allow me, I will fight with her" someone interrupted them. All eyes turned to Saige. She was the only female enforcer and almost as ruthless as Herrick.
"Even better" Celeste cheered. Isolde watched as her mate narrowed his eyes on the women then spun around and left, muttering stubborn woman.
What had gotten into him? He normally didn't interfere in anything the warriors did unless they went against the pack rules. Had she missed something?
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Who'll tell Isolde what's going on? Lol
What do you guys think? Is Caspian being weird because he saw Celeste naked or is there more?