Chapter 5 The Wolf-Jealousy; Celeste's Scheming Against Emma

Chapter One: The Unexpected Rival

She always knew her place in the pack. She was strong, intelligent, and destined to be by the side of an Alpha. Ever since they were children, she and Alexander were practically inseparable. Everybody assumed that one day they would rule together. So did she.

But that all changed with the arrival of Emma.

She first caught wind of the human girl when whispers spread across the pack about the strange behavior exhibited by Alexander. He had been distracted for no apparent reason, spending more time away from the pack. And then Lucas, Alexander's second-in-command, had confirmed what Celeste had dreaded the most.

Alexander had found his mate.

And she was a human girl.

Celeste's blood boiled at that thought. How can a human being, that fragile little insignificance, catch the attention of the strongest wolf she has ever bared witness to? How may it threaten everything Celeste had worked for?

No.

She would not allow it.

Chapter Two: Watching from the Shadows

Celeste was patient to a fault. She did not storm into Alexander's house, demanding explanations. She did nothing to let her rage consume her. That's not how wars were won.

And wait she did.

She shadowed Emma, learning with each pawstep. The ignorant human, mindlessly traipsing through town with that dreamy, soft-eyed expression. The bookstore and the little café on Fifth Street took up the days, reading quietly and sipping tea as if unaware of the prey watching her from a distance.

Celeste was wondering how easy it would be to snap her neck, stifling a laugh.

But that wasn't enough

Emma had to be more than gone; she had to be forgotten. Alexander had to see that she was never intended for him.

Celeste needed a plan.

Chapter Three: Whispers of Doubt

Before she enacted her plan, she needed to sow discord about Emma among the pack.

Some sweet whispers, a strategic eye contact whenever Alexander's name came up, that's how Celeste started.

"Have you noticed how distracted our Alpha has been lately?" she asked one evening as she sat with some of the other pack members around the bonfire.

The younger wolves exchanged glances, unsure.

"Maybe he is just-"

Celeste cut in smoothly, "Do you think it's related to the human or something?"

That hit home. Some wolves stiffened up, their eyes flashing with concern.

"I saw him watching her the other night." another one blurted.

Celeste pretended to sigh. "It's dangerous. He's supposed to be protecting us, but here he is spending time with...her."

The pack wasn't much of a stranger to this way of thinking. All the years of nurture had left them wary of outsiders. They were wolves. They lived on instincts, on tradition. A human was no people to mingle with just like that, certainly not with their future Alpha.

By the end of the night, the pack was an uproar of opinions and doubts.

Just as Celeste wanted.

Chapter Four: A Seed of Fear

But whispers weren't good enough.

Emma had to fear Alexander.

To do that, Celeste had to get close to the human.

It was no big deal. Emma was trusting, too naive for her good. One afternoon, she caught up with Emma in the bookstore, drowsy-eyed page-turning through a novel.

"Emma, right?" said Celeste in the warmest and friendliest tone she could summon.

Emma looked up in shock. "Yes?" Celeste then smiled and gently slid herself into the seat opposite to Emma, "I've heard so much about you."

Emma blinked, confusion flashing across her golden-brown eyes. "You did?"

"Of course." Celeste tilted her head, allowing the smile to widen just a bit. "You've been spending time with Alexander, haven't you?"

A soft blush made its way to Emma's cheek. "We... we've talked a few times."

Celeste laughed lightly. "Oh, Emma." Following that statement, Celeste placed a soft hand over Emma's. "I know this must feel very exciting for you. Alexander... well, he is different. He draws people in."

Emma paused. "He's kind."

Celeste's smile remained in place while rage rumbled in her gut like an approaching storm. "Yes. But there are things you don't know about him."

Emma furrowed her brows. "Like what?"

Celeste leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "You've noticed how intense he is, I think? How protective?"

Emma slowly nodded.

"That's because he's not like other men," Celeste whispered. "He can't control himself when he cares too much. And when he loses control..." Her voice trailed off, the quiet doing the rest.

Emma's lips parted slightly, uncertainty dancing across her face.

Celeste pulled away just a bit, offering a sympathetic smile. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Emma gulped. "He would never hurt me."

Celeste softened her expression. "I hope not."

And then she left, letting the burden of her words hang in the air.

Chapter Five: The First Crack

Emma did not notice at first, but something changed after her conversation with Celeste.

When she came before Alexander now, she still felt the pull: that unexplainable warmth that made her want nothing more than to place her trust in him. But there was now something else to deal with.

Doubt.

Celeste's words echoed in her mind.

When he loses control...

She recalled the night Alexander saved her from a stranger in the alley. The wildness in his eyes. The way he moved-faster than any human should.

The air around him had vibrated with something more.

Emma shook it off, straying too deep into thought. No. Alexander was different but not dangerous.

Was that so?

Chapter Six: Pushing Him Away

After that, Celeste did not have to work much. It was enough to plant the seed; after that, it would grow naturally.

Emma began to hesitate about Alexander. She began to call back slowly. She made up excuses not to see him. And, when they did meet, she was more protected, more restrained.

Alexander immediately noticed it.

"What's wrong?" he asked one evening, standing so close that Emma could feel an almost-overwhelming heat coming off his body.

"Nothing," she said far too quickly.

"Oh, no look," he said. "Emma-"

"I just... I need some time."

The look in his eyes just about shattered her resolve. But then she remembered Celeste's warning.

"He cannot control himself when caring about something too much."

Was she being foolish? Or was she walking into something she couldn't understand?

"Emma," Alexander said again, softer this time.

Emma stepped back. "I have to go."

And she left him standing there, torn between confusion and hurt.

Chapter Seven: Celeste's Triumph

Celeste was watching from the shadows, satisfaction curling in her chest.

It was working.

Emma was slipping away, and Alexander was losing it. Soon he would have no choice but to return to the pack.

To her.

She was not done yet. Not completely.

But for now, she would wait.

Because the bond between Emma and Alexander was breaking.

And all Celeste had to do was allow it to break