Chapter 94

\*\*CELINE'S POV\*\*



I groaned for the umpteenth time, hoping Luciana would show up, as I stood by the window staring out.



"Chill will you?" Jericho said, coming to stand beside me. "She'll eventually show up, even if not now, eventually."



I shook my head. He doesn't seem to understand anything going on. If she doesn't show up now, the whole process is destroyed, and I'll have to wait another month.



Time is already far away. I spent, and I can't put up with this another month. The more time is wasted, the more detrimental it gets.



I glared at Jericho. "You don't get it," I snapped.



"This isn't just about Luciana showing up...the last time, I was interrupted and since she left I've not gotten a glimpse of her."



"Calm down, okay?" Jericho whispered, his expression turning concerned. "What's really going on, Celine?"



I sighed, frustration boiling over.



"The alignment of the stars, the timings...and the Crescent moon will be out really soon."



His eyes narrowed, as he stared suspiciously at me. "What exactly have you gotten yourself into?"



I shook my head. "It's too complex to explain."



He smirked and began taking long strides towards me.



Jericho's strides were meaningful, with a certain level of purpose glaring, his eyes burning with intensity.



"Don't shut me out, you can always talk to me dear Cousin." He whispered, his voice husky, causing my heart to skip countless beats. "I've seen the symbols, the rituals, what exactly is going on?"



I couldn't look into his eyes, it seemed to bore into my soul, I was scared he'd demand the truth.



"Jericho stop" I said, trying to maintain the authority in my voice, but to my surprise it came out as a whisper.



"We've known each other since like forever" he said, as though reminding me. "I can see the desperation in your eyes."



His words triggered some memories. Indeed, no one knew me like Jericho, right from those days in the pack, when we were younger.



"We'd have been together and married if you didn't, go for him" Jericho spat, intensifying the memories. "Why? Because I wasn't wealthy or powerful enough?"



I sighed, moving away from him. I've always known that a day like this would come, when I finally got to confront the part of my life that involved him, but I didn't expect it any sooner, especially since he never brought it up. So now what?



I couldn't look into his eyes, the accusations were glaring in his eyes, just as they used to be.



"You think it was only about wealth and power?" I asked, my voice laced with pain. "You…you never treated me right. I had to survive Jericho, besides he was my mate!"



Jericho's expression darkened, although I wasn't sure, I just felt it. 



"You know I treated you right, I always went out of my way to please you, what else was I supposed to do?" He asked, his voice cracking.



"He was my mate" I yelled, wondering if he hadn't heard me the first time.



He finally got it, as a sarcastic chuckle escaped his lips. "Your mate, huh? That's rich, coming from you." 



I finally drifted my gaze to his, but couldn't stand the anger I saw hidden in it, so I swiftly looked away.



"You chose him over me, Celine. Over us, and the perfect union we had." He added, his voice dripping with venom.



"You didn't give me a choice, Jericho. You were distant, cold...you just made me feel alone" I yelled.



His eyes locked onto mine, clouded by what looked so much like raw desires, although I couldn't pinpoint them.



He took long strides towards me. I kept moving backwards, and for some reason, my heart was palpitating against its rib cage.



The surrounding air thickened, and without even knowing it, I began trembling.



He succeeded in trapping me beside the wall, with no escape, and with a smirk, he pinned me to the wall. 



His lips crashed onto mine in a rough, aggressive kiss that sought to consume me completely.



I wanted to push him off, and yell at him, possibly hit him, but a part of me wanted it, that part yean for his touch and whispers just like in old times.



Memories flooded my mind; our wild moments under the full moon, whispers under the sheets and our seemingly perfect love that seemed lost.



It'd be so right to say we had a perfect past, but now...



The flame I thought I had already extinguished seemed to be getting rekindled and scared of what might happen next, I pushed him away, and gasping for air, I broke free, rushing upstairs.



I'm still awaiting Luciana's presence. I can't stand her walking into such a scene...everything I've struggled to make her believe will be shattered.



I locked myself in my room, desperate to regain composure as I awaited Luciana's presence.



I don't recall how long I waited before eventually drifting into deep slumber.



...



I yawned drowsily sitting up on my bed.



My eyes darted to the wall clock staring lazily at me, and a sharp gasp escaped my lips.



"09:00 already!!"



I don't recall how I drifted to sleep, forgetting about the ritual and stuff. Well...I did, and it's morning already.



Now I have to keep up with my cool and caring attitude until another full moon.



I stood frozen, rather disappointed and uneasy.



Luciana did say she was coming home, she promised to show up. How come she didn't?



She's not getting suspicious already, right??.



A sudden knock sounded on my door, shattering the silence in the room and making my heart skip a beat.



I guessed it was Jericho, rather, I knew it was Jericho, but for the sake of it, I raised my voice and asked.



"Who is it?" 



"Jericho" his deep voice replied.



I got off bed and headed to the door. My hand met the doorknob, turning it open.



Just as I came face to face with him, the memories from last night flooded my mind.



"Celine" he whispered huskily.



But before he could say another word, I slammed the door shut in his face.



...



I eventually got tired of staying indoors, so I went downstairs, not sure why though.



Jericho's gaze lingered on me as I settled from the couch across his.



He seemed to have a lot to say, but for some reason which I was grateful for, said nothing.



Suddenly, a car pulled over outside the house.



"Luciana is here" Jericho whispered, and I sighed.



What stopped her from showing up last night?



I expected her to walk right in immediately, and the car to drive off immediately, but that didn't happen. Instead, she remained in the car, with the driver.



She finally walked in, and although she looked rather suspicious, I tried to make her feel more comfortable than ever, but Jericho's weirdness wasn't helping matters, instead he was making her feel uneasy.



I tried to interfere, but his next words caused a sudden fear to envelop me. "Be careful Luciana."