Chapter 16
Celeste
Dante nearly lunged, snarling at Sterling while Pack Valence inched forward in case they needed to intervene.
“Him? Come on Celeste, don’t be so naive!
You can’t possibly say you trust a man working for your uncle to be on your side!
He’s lying about Elijah!” His words came out strangled, frustrated as he tried to keep his breathing calm.
“I know in my heart I can trust him.” I responded, watching as Liam and Vigo’s eyes blazed in jealousy and disbelief.
“Celeste, be serious! He’s nobody to you!” Vigo yelled, his blue eyes wild, gripping his hair in his hands as he glared at Sterling. I looked over, watching as Sterling stared back, calm and assured. As I watched, I noticed something - the faintest hint of smell from him.
The cool cedarwood and rain scent drifted slowly, uncurling the notes as I breathed him in, and I turned, my eyes wide. It was as if I finally saw him for the first time. The feeling hit me - of home, trust, of forever. Sterling was right. He was my scent match. He was my miraculous twist of fate.
Sterling was the scent of safety - of loyalty. The scent of someone who would walk through fire for me. The realization struck like lightning, shaking me to my core. My eyes widened as my heart felt flooded with emotion.
I reached out, taking his hand as his eyes flicker over to me, the only tiny sign that I startled him. His warm hand gripped mine.
“No. I know in my heart I can trust him. Because he’s mine.
” I said, the knowledge of the truth solidifying in me as the scent match took hold.
Sterling looked over fully now, his face registering that I believed him, my body telling me the truth.
I stood, overwhelmed with wonder as I reached out to cup his cheek.
“You were right in front of me all along, always protecting me.”
Pack Lockwood stood frozen, shocked and silent. I could sense their confusion and frustration, but at this point, I didn’t care. Let them suffer. They’d certainly let me do enough of that.
“What - what do you….” Vigo started, and I stood next to Sterling, his arm now wrapped around me protectively.
“He’s my scent match.”