Chapter 13
Dominic’s icy gaze snapped sharply toward Jordan, prompting the Beta to quickly clarify, “Mr. Kingsford, Miss Parker is currently with Lila Anderson.”
Lila was Celeste’s closest friend, so their being together wasn’t strange. In the past, Dominic had asked Jordan to add Lila on social media to discreetly keep an eye on Celeste’s activities.
Jordan swiftly unlocked his phone, opening Lila’s latest social media post. On the screen appeared Lila herself, sporting bold, cherry–blossom–pink curls. However, Dominic’s focus immediately shifted to the woman beside Lila–Celeste.
In the photo, Celeste’s style had drastically changed from her usual soft, feminine look. Her once long, flowing black hair had been neatly cut short to a length that barely covered her ears. Her face, slimmed down due to recent hardships, carried a quiet melancholy, lending her a gentle, fragile allure.
She dressed in an oversized, neutral–colored shirt revealing her delicate collarbones. Even dressed casually, she emanated a subtle yet captivating elegance.
Lila had captioned the post simply, “New beginning.”
Unconsciously, Dominic’s hand gripping the phone tightened, trembling slightly. For an entire year, he had wanted nothing more than to see her give up and leave–yet now that she’d finally let go, his heart inexplicably twisted in
pain.
But no–his sister lay in a cold grave, robbed of any new beginning. Why should Celeste find freedom and joy when Layla could not?
It wasn’t pity he felt, Dominic told himself bitterly; it was resentment.
Her torment wasn’t over yet. She had no right to simply walk away.
Lost in thought, Dominic barely registered Jordan adding quietly, “Miss Anderson took Miss Parker to the Ivy Vibes
Club.”
Jordan carefully opened another post. This photo captured Celeste lounging gracefully on a velvet sofa beneath dim, inviting lights. A young, handsome male attendant dressed in a pristine white shirt was kneeling beside her, offering her grapes with a charming smile.
At that image, a surge of rage shot through Dominic, nearly causing him to crush Jordan’s phone.
“To the Ivy Vibes Club. Now.”
A suffocating chill filled the car. The vivid image of Celeste casually accepting attention from another male wolf consumed Dominic’s thoughts, stoking his anger even more.
13:23
Luna’s
Wept
13.3%
Chapter 13
“Please, Alpha Kingsford–I beg your mercy!”
Just then, Jordan spoke up after reviewing the surveillance footage, “Alpha, the cameras confirm Miss Parker maintained a clear distance. She didn’t allow them near her.”
The young entertainer sobbed in relief, tears staining his face as he collapsed forward. He’d merely sought to flatter a wealthy customer; he’d never imagined provoking someone as terrifying as Alpha Kingsford.
Dominic gave the man a final, contemptuous glance before dismissing him entirely. He drove aimlessly afterward, knowing Celeste had nowhere else to go in the city. Yet every familiar place they’d ever visited turned up empty. Her phone remained off, and she’d seemingly vanished into thin air.
In the end, Dominic returned to their pack villa–a place he’d avoided for too long. The house had been stripped of warmth, devoid of Celeste’s gentle touch. The flowers she had meticulously placed each day were gone, not even their vases remaining.
Their bedroom walls were oddly bare; wedding photos had been taken down, all traces of Celeste carefully cut away, leaving only his lonely image behind.
All the expensive clothing he’d bought her remained untouched. She’d only taken a few inexpensive items and personal belongings. Even the jewelry he’d gifted her had vanished; the diamond ring she had returned lay coldly
in a box.
Every familiar personal item–her toothbrush, her favorite cup, even her bath towel–had been carefully removed. The couple’s electric toothbrush set now appeared starkly incomplete, only Dominic’s left abandoned.
Dominic’s heart sank deeper with every room he checked. Finally, he stood before the nursery door–the room Celeste cherished most. Sweat dampened his palms as he hesitated. When he finally pushed open the door, the emptiness struck him like an icy blade.
Every piece of furniture, every lovingly chosen decoration–gone. She had erased every trace of herself.
Jordan approached quietly. “Mr. Kingsford, I’ve checked with the airlines and transport companies. Miss Parker hasn’t booked any tickets out of the pack. Also, her father is still in the ICU; she won’t leave him.”
Dominic suddenly realized he could have easily killed Anthony, yet he’d deliberately kept the man alive. Deep down, he’d known Anthony was Celeste’s final lifeline. As long as Anthony remained, Celeste could never escape him completely.
“Find her quickly,” Dominic commanded coldly. “Bring her back.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Late into the night, Dominic lay restless in the bed they’d once shared. Even knowing Celeste bore no true blame, he couldn’t let go of the bitter resentment inside him.
Every glimpse of her joy twisted painfully within his chest, cruelly reminding him of Layla’s suffering. It was Celeste’s curse to be Anthony’s daughter; she would pay the price for her father’s sins.
13:23
Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away Alpha Wept
13.9%
Chapter 13
But perhaps, Dominic mused darkly, he should find a different method to punish her. Something more satisfying–something she would never escape.
♡ (1)
