His Stray

Chapter 28

4 years prior

Ariadne ran through the forest as Celia watched. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. She and Ariadne were two parts of a whole, threads wound together yet wholly different.

The world felt more alive than it ever had. Sounds were sharper, scents richer. Everything was clearer when she looked through her wolf’s eyes.

Celia was overcome by relief and a joy she couldn’t put into words. She was truly a werewolf. No one could deny it now. She wasn’t a witch or a freak, but a wolf who deserved a place in this pack.

Finally, Ariadne slowed to a stop just inside the tree line near the training field and dropped onto her side, tongue lolling.

I think… that’s enough for today, she panted.

The shift back was still agonizing, though not nearly as bad as the first. By the time it was over, the sun was cresting the horizon, painting the sky in pinks and purples. Celia lay on her back on the forest floor, staring up through the canopy, trying to catch her breath.

A twig snapped somewhere nearby.

“You alright?”

Celia twisted her head to see Lucas moving through the trees toward her. She jolted upright, wrapping her arms around her legs. “I’m naked!”

Lucas laughed quietly as he pulled his shirt over his head. “We’ll end up seeing everyone in the pack naked at some point.”

She knew he was right, but her face still flamed. Lucas tossed her the shirt and politely turned his back while she scrambled up and pulled it on. It fell to mid-thigh and smelled faintly of him, earthy and sharp like sage and bergamot.

When he turned around again, she didn’t miss the heat in his eyes as he looked her over. Something warm and liquid curled low in her belly.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly, stepping closer. “That shift was long.”

“Tired,” she admitted. Then a smile broke across her face. “But I have a wolf.”

Lucas’s smile mirrored hers. His eyes lit up. “I always knew it. You’ve always belonged here.”

“What does she look like?” Celia twisted her fingers in the hem of the shirt.

Lucas moved even closer. “Beautiful… like you.”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Heat rushed into her cheeks, spreading all the way to her chest.

Lucas closed the final bit of distance and cupped her face in his hands. “You’re incredible,” he whispered. “You know that, right?”

She swallowed, her heart thundering. “Lucas…”

He brushed his thumbs along her jaw, leaning in. “You were so brave.”

Then he kissed her. It was hesitant at first, almost uncertain, like he was asking permission. But when she leaned into him, his hand slid into her hair and the kiss deepened. His mouth was warm and tasted faintly of mint. Her heart soared, and the warmth in her belly turned into a gentle ache.

When they pulled back, she rested her forehead against his. Both of them were breathing hard.

“I’ve wanted to do that forever,” he admitted, his voice rough.

Her chest tightened, full of something too big to name. “Then why didn’t you?”

“Because I didn’t want to ruin this. But I think it was always going to be you anyway.”

She closed her eyes, letting it wash over her. “Yeah. Me too.”

Lucas smiled, then leaned in and stole another quick kiss that made her toes curl.

**

Lucas found it nearly impossible to keep his hands off Celia. Every time he saw her, he wanted to pull her close, wanted to feel her heartbeat against his.

School was torture. Walking past her in the hall, pretending she was just another girl, left him raw. All he wanted was to tuck her under his arm and let everyone know she was his.

But Celia had insisted. She didn’t want more rumors or cruel whispers. Lucas tried to respect that. Even if it left him restless and half-mad.

That evening, he found her lying in their clearing, staring up at the darkening sky.

“What are you doing?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer before stretching out beside her, close enough to feel her warmth.

“Thinking.” Her voice was quiet.

He studied her face, catching the way her lashes fluttered. “About what?”

She sighed. “About everything. How people still look at me. Even with Ariadne, they treat me like I’m not one of them.”

“They’re idiots,” he muttered. “You’re more than one of them. You’re… you’re everything.”

She looked at him with something soft in her eyes that made his throat tighten. Then she shifted closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

He slipped his hand into hers. They lay like that for a long while, until the sound of footsteps in the underbrush made Celia tense.

Lucas sat up, instinctively sliding in front of her. A moment later, Landon stepped out from between the trees, hands tucked into his pockets.

“Well look at this,” Landon said, smirking. “My baby brother sneaking off to the woods to roll around with his girl.”

Celia’s face went bright red. She pushed up to sit on her knees, fixing her hair.

Lucas scowled. “Shut up.”

Landon only chuckled. “Relax. I won’t tell Dad. Wouldn’t want to ruin your romantic moment.” His eyes cut to Celia. “So are you two, like, official?”

Lucas stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Landon raised a brow. “Do people know?”

“They don’t need to know,” Celia muttered, turning away from Landon and towards the water.

“A girl like that?” Landon smirked. “I wouldn’t keep her a secret.”

Lucas’s gut went tight. He couldn’t decide if Landon was being mean or not.

“Go away, Landon,” he spat, moving back towards Celia.

Landon only laughed, walking a few steps before turning back. “Hey, Cece.” He waited for her to look. “Come talk to me when my brother f***s this up, okay?” He winked and walked away.

“f**k you!” Lucas snarled, but Landon was already disappearing into the trees.

“What was that?” Celia murmured.

Lucas scowled into the trees for a moment before turning back. “He’s been an ass ever since he got rejected from the academy.”

Celia bumped her shoulder into his. “It’s fine. Just ignore him.”

Lucas didn’t answer. He just tugged her close again, pressing his forehead to hers. Deep down he knew he would do anything to keep her his.