Chapter 12
Third POV:
The two she–wolves walk side–by–side into the grooming store, where Lila quickly introduces Celeste to the best werewolf stylist in the place, Tony, who is captivated by Celeste’s appearance and immediately introduces her to several popular werewolf hair–trimming styles of the moment.
However, Celeste promptly refused. “Cut it short–the shorter, the better.”
“Miss Parker,” Tony hesitated, reluctant to proceed, “while the cool and bold style is very popular among she–wolves these days, I think overly short hair might limit your styling choices later. Shoulder–length hair could be perfect–not only will it make you appear younger, but it’s versatile enough for any occasion.”
“No need.” Her voice was quiet but firm.
Tony sighed softly, “Your hair is long and beautiful, untouched for years. It’s a shame to cut it off abruptly.”
Celeste gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Despite recent sleeplessness and her slightly pale complexion, her delicate features remained exceptionally alluring. Her hair–long, lustrous black strands–flowed gracefully down her back, lending her an almost ethereal beauty.
Dominic had always loved her beautiful fur, so she had always taken good care of it, and even more so, she had never trimmed it. But now, it seemed there was no longer any need to keep it.
So Celeste herself took the scissors from a hesitant Tony and said faintly, “I’ll do it myself then.”
Without any hesitation, she decisively snipped through her silky strands. Locks of hair drifted downward, landing softly on the salon floor, as if symbolically severing her ties to that painful, youthful past.
“Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you.” Celeste handed the scissors back to Tony, who quietly took over, finally understanding her determination.
After finishing her own hair, Lila–now sporting vibrant pink highlights–looked over at Celeste. Her eyes widened, first in astonishment, then in admiration.
“I finally understand the saying that the true beauty can pull off anything–even in the rags of a rogue wolf, you still shine!” Lila exclaimed enthusiastically. “Celeste, you look stunningly chic!”
To complement Celeste’s new shorter, stylish look, Lila insisted on taking her shopping immediately, determined to find a set of edgy, unisex clothing that matched Celeste’s fresh style.
As the two young women walked together through the bustling city streets, they turned heads everywhere they went.
As evening approached, Lila stopped in front of a brightly lit storefront and pulled Celeste close to her side, taking a selfie. She posted it on her social media account with a simple caption: “A new beginning.”
Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away, Alpha Wept
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Chapter 12
Lila then dragged Celeste into a high–end steakhouse. Celeste usually avoided red meat, but tonight was different.
Lila was thrilled, reminiscing happily, “Celeste, remember our high school days? Back then, we thought the toughest things were those function equations. But now, looking back, equations seem easy. Men, however–no matter how hard you try–still manage to leave you hurting.”
Celeste rarely drank alcohol, but tonight she willingly took a sip, smiling faintly. “That’s because you were always terrible at math. I never had any trouble with function equations.”
“Ah, yes, of course!” Lila laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Who can compete with you, Miss Genius? I still remember your first day at our high school–you skipped grades and came straight into my class at thirteen. I honestly thought a little kid from middle school had wandered in by mistake! Turns out you were just a prodigy in disguise.”
Lila poured herself and Celeste another glass, raising her drink in a bittersweet toast. “Whether we’re geniuses or
not, here’s to our single, stress–free future. Without those scumbags, we’ll buy whatever we please.”
Yet as she spoke, tears welled up once more. “Celeste, do you know how I used to eat discounted synthetic steaks from the grocery store for just twenty dollars each? I scrimped and saved, supporting his studies overseas–I gave everything to build our future together.”
“I’m only twenty–four years old, yet I’ve never bought myself a decent dress. How could he treat me this way?”
Every family has its own troubles. Celeste herself hadn’t even fully dealt with her own turmoil yet. All she could do was gently comfort her friend, advising Lila to look ahead.
Initially, Celeste planned on taking Lila home early, but Lila insisted they visit Ivy Vibes Club.
With a soft sigh, Celeste understood that tonight, Lila needed to let her emotions out.
Celeste considered her own future: chemotherapy was approaching fast, and the possibility that she might not survive weighed heavily on her. Realizing this could be the last time she enjoyed an evening like this, she decided to indulge Lila’s wish.
Celeste had never visited a nightclub before. Lila, on the other hand, seemed excited, pointing enthusiastically at the attractive staff greeting guests at the entrance.
Celeste remained distracted, though–not by prudishness as Lila imagined–but by thoughts of her upcoming chemotherapy treatment. Her attention briefly wandered to a large, vivid painting of a majestic black horse in the club’s lobby.
Mistaking Celeste’s inattentiveness for nervousness, Lila lightly smacked her thigh. “Come on, Celeste! Are you really trying to preserve your innocence now? When that jerk was fooling around behind your back, did he ever consider your feelings? You’re divorced now–let loose tonight! Don’t worry; I have plenty of money.”
Real estate commissions, especially from villa sales, were exceptionally generous. A single sale could easily net tens
of thousands.
14Than I Walked Away Alpha Went
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Chapter 12
Lila, youthful, energetic, and resourceful, had earned considerable commissions. If not for funding her ex–boyfriend’s studies and expenses abroad, she would’ve been quite wealthy by now. Tonight, she intended to spend extravagantly and forget her heartache.
Meanwhile, at Noble Springs Residence, the child’s fever had finally subsided after extensive medical care, leaving Dominic greatly relieved. He gently tucked the sleeping child into bed and exited the room quietly.
Marina, waiting gracefully outside, approached him with an elegant smile. “Dominic, it’s getting late. Why don’t you stay here tonight? I’m worried Jamie might wake again during the night. You know he always settles better when you’re around.”
Dominic rubbed his temples wearily, his voice low but firm. “I have a prior engagement. Dr. Hartford will be staying overnight; please ask him if you need anything.”
Marina hesitated briefly, realizing pushing further could backfire. She’d planned her earlier call strategically, hoping their divorce would have been finalized already, yet the plan didn’t unfold as she’d hoped. With no choice, she nodded sympathetically. “Alright, please drive safely.”
Dominic gave a brief nod and swiftly departed. Once inside the car, Jordan handed him a set of keys. “Mr. Kingsford, Miss Parker returned the keys to the villa.”
Dominic paused, looking at the keys in front of him with a mocking smile on his face. “She certainly moved fast enough once the money was in her hands.”
Jordan, usually hesitant to intervene in his Alpha’s personal matters, considered carefully before speaking. After a moment, he quietly mentioned something he’d recently observed online. “Mr. Kingsford, it appears Miss Parker… really has moved on this time.”
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