Alpha Markus
Chapter 46

Markus P.O.V.

I sighed. “Celeste is a complicated conversation,” I said.

“You don’t say?” he laughed, passing me a scotch. I took a long drink and looked down at her sleeping face, cleaning the tears from her cheeks with my hand as I pondered where to start.

“You remember me mentioning that Celeste is the last remaining Ranked member of the Sky Moon Pack. An Alpha female.”

“Yes, and if you don’t mind my bluntness, that’s quite the mate.”

I laughed. “That’s not even the half of it.” I looked him in the eye, “What I’m about to say is something only a handful of people know. It needs to stay that way or Celeste could be placed in danger. I am trusting you because you have been my friend for as long as I’ve been alive.”

“Understood,” he answered.

“Celeste is part of an ancient Alpha bloodline, through her mother’s side. It dates back to Aztec times. All the females of her bloodline have a few gifts given to her by the moon goddess. They have been hunted down for her powers for generations. This is why we are trying to keep her abilities a secret.” I gave him the condensed version.

“So the glow….”

“She has the ability to heal her people, if the goddess so chooses it. She cannot really control who it works on or how, as far as we know. It is not so much her gift as she is a conduit for the goddess to right some wrongs.”

“How do you know all of this?” he asked.

“Research and Celeste had a visit from the goddess while she was gone for two days last week,” I said, “I know it’s a lot of take in and to believe…” He held up a hand.

“Let me repay the same trust you have placed in me. I have no reason to doubt you or Celeste. I can honestly say I have yet to meet someone as pure of heart as she, specially considering everything she has gone through. I believe you. You have my word that I will keep her secret as well as my support if it is ever needed. Just keep the treats coming.”

I laughed, relieved and thankful. “I am glad to call you friend.”

“As am I. You have always been there to lend a hand when we’ve needed it. It’s only fair to be able to return the favor,” he said as he went to grab another treat from the Tupperware. “It really isn’t fair that she’s so good at baking. My cook has been trying those recipes of hers and they just don’t taste the same.”

“You’re always welcome to come grab some. I always keep a big batch of goodies for the Packhouse,” Celeste said, getting up from my lap, surprising us both.

‘Are you OK Tuli?’ I asked her.

She nodded and squeezed my hand as she stood to a sitting position. ‘I’m fine.’ I could feel the truth through the bond. Although I could feel her grief, I could also feel the peace replaceing him brought to her.

“I might take you up on that. Or maybe I can convince you to sell me some around the holidays. I know the Pack would go nuts.”

“Perhaps we can do some sort of combined event soon?” She asked, “I know it’s not usual for packs, but if we time it around a full moon, we could create an opportunity for our unmated Pack members to possibly replace their mates.”

“That is an interesting concept. I don’t see why not. Why don’t I talk to my Beta’s mate. She can get in touch with you to figure what works best for everyone?” he said.

“It’s probably good to instill that kinship between the two packs. We are close enough to each other. It’s time for our friendship to extend past just us,” I said.

“That’s settled then. One or two of these events a year should bring the two packs closer together.”

Celeste nodded. “I would like to take Lucian to my parents’ packgrounds and give him a warrior’s funeral,” she said.

“Of course. Some of my people are already getting him ready for transport. When would you like us to take him?”

“Today, he has waited enough to be at peace. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome. I cannot thank you and your staff enough for all the care you gave him all these years. You gave us both closure.” He nodded at her, his eyes glazing as he mind linked his people. She turned to me. “I would like Maya and Ruby to be there. They might not remember him, but he deserves to have his people around him,” she said.

“Danny, Gillian and I will prepare the pyre ourselves. It’s the least he deserves,” I said, bringing out my phone to send out texts.

“He will be ready in about an hour. His nurse and some of the staff would like to say goodbye. I will also be attending. I insist you stay for lunch, and we can meet your people at your parents’ grounds?”

“That sounds good to me. Could I use your facilities?” Celeste asked.

“Down the hall on your left before you reach the foyer,” he said. Celeste kissed my hand and left the room.

“Is she really OK?” Rhett asked.

“I think so. She is grieving, but I can sense she’s at peace with it.”

“I envy you that kind of connection,” he said.

“At one point, I hoped to never replace my mate. I am happy the moon goddess ignored my idiotic request. I didn’t know how much I needed her in my life. She makes me complete. I hope you replace your own soon. It’s really another level of happiness I couldn’t have imagined,” I answered honestly.

“Why didn’t you want a mate?” He asked, curious. No one outside the pack knew of what had happened to my dad as I had already taken over as Alpha.

“My father lost my mother when I was 5. You know he raised me for a long time by himself. At some point, I believe he got lonely and he chose a mate shortly after retiring.” My eyes darkened. “His chosen mate eventually found her destined mate some months later and left him, but even though she replaced my father’s mark on her, my father still felt the pain when she bedded her mate.” Rhett’s eyes went up at that. “He suffered for 3 years and then by the moon goddess’ grace, she gave him a second chance mate and he was finally able to have peace. When that happened, I decided I didn’t want or need a mate. I didn’t want that kind of pain. I never sought mine after that but the moon goddess had other plans for me.” I sighed. “A part of me wonders if I would have been able to spare Celeste some pain if I had looked for her sooner,” I admitted.

He shook his head. “Didn’t Celeste only turn 19 less than a year ago? Perhaps you not looking spared you the disappointment of not replaceing her for the last 6 years. Something I’m very familiar with,” he smirked dryly.

“I never thought of it that way. I do hope the moon goddess grants you the same happiness she has given me,” I said.

“As do I my friend. Maybe she’s just coming of age like yours. I am only 23…Perhaps I should start making my rounds during the full moons soon.”

“Well, you’ll be coming to the Luna Ceremony this month. Plenty of people from around the other packs will come. Maybe you can replace her there,” I said.

“From your lips….” He laughed.

‘He will. The moon goddess told me so,’ Celeste mind linked me while coming in. ‘But let’s keep it between us. We don’t need him smelling every woman at the ceremony.’

I just about choked on the last of my scotch at her joke as I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up from my chest. Atlas was hollering on his back.

“What’s so funny?” Rhett asked suspiciously.

“Oh, I just told Markus if your mate knows how to cook, we might need to buy you a treadmill as a congratulatory present so you don’t gain 100lbs on the first year,” she lied, which made me laugh harder still as Rhett was in the process of inhaling another brownie.