Chapter 5 His final decision

Celine’s POV

“That’s my final decision,” Tristan said.

His hands wobbled. His gaze clung to me like a man holding his last breath. He took a step back toward the door—then stopped, unable to leave.

“Celine… you’re my mate. Don’t ever doubt that.”

What was I supposed to say?

I only nodded. My instincts told me it was right, like agreeing was the safest thing, the only thing I could do.

“Nothing can change that,” he said. “Not me. Not you. Not even them.”

“O–okay…” My voice barely left my throat.

I had to believe him. My instincts said so like I was supposed to please him. Maybe that was it.

But what if the mate bond was real? What if it was forcing me to want him, right now?

Or maybe… this was just who I’d become.

Whatever.

His hands slid up to cup my jaw. I didn’t move. Didn’t even flinch like I had the first time he touched me.

He smiled—but I didn’t know why.

“Our connection is strong,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

For a heartbeat, the world blurred. The others vanished—the walls, the candlelight—until it was only him and me. My hands found his arms, and if no one had been watching, it might’ve turned into something deeper.

I craved his touch—so suddenly, so violently—for someone I barely knew but who called me his mate.

Before I could stop myself, I guided his hands to my chest, desperate for warmth, for something that made sense.

“Celine!”

Lila’s voice shattered the haze. I flinched, yanked his hands away, and stumbled to my feet.

Tristan’s face twitched, but he smoothed it into a faint smile, fingers brushing my jaw. “It’s okay.”

I nodded again, afraid to upset him by acting too aware.

Then I saw it—fur pushing through his skin again. But this time, he didn’t thrash or panic. He was holding it back, fighting it.

Heat rolled off him in waves, seeping into me until my skin tingled.

“Hmm…” He bit his lip until his jaw tightened. “It’s not just the curse anymore…”

“You’re becoming feral.”

“Does that matter?” he whispered with a hollow laugh, though the pain was etched deep in his face.

He squeezed his eyes shut, his chest heaving in harsh, uneven beats. When he opened them again, sweat streaked down his face.

“Alpha Tristan—your body!” Aiden rushed in, the candlelight flickering wildly.

“Don’t!” Tristan hissed through clenched teeth, hand raised to stop him.

He could barely stand, yet his gaze clung to me. He fought the agony ripping through his veins until his eyes glistened with tears he wouldn’t let fall.

His features hardened. “I did this to myself… all of it. I should’ve never chased revenge.”

He dropped his hand from my face and wrapped his arms around himself. The tears that slid down his cheeks weren’t from pain—they were from something deeper. Regret.

“I should become feral,” he whispered, voice trembling. “Losing control… maybe that’s what I deserve.”

He staggered back, and when Aiden reached out to steady him, Tristan barked, “Don’t!”—his voice fierce but fading.

He steadied himself long enough to reach the doorway.

Before stepping out, he looked back at me. “Celine… take care.”

My lips wouldn’t move. All I could do was nod.

Zara stood just beyond the doorframe. I’d forgotten she was there—hidden by Tristan’s shadow and the flicker of candlelight. Her eyes were red, her hands pressed against her mouth to smother the sound of her sobs.

He was close enough to comfort her—but didn’t. When she reached for him, he stepped back instead.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“Tristan… don’t let it happen. I love—”

“Stop.” His voice cracked through the air, final and broken.

He turned away, disappearing down the hall with Aiden close behind.

The light dimmed, leaving only Lila’s candle—and Zara, stepping back into the room.

“So he’s suddenly your mate now?” she said, wiping her face, voice trembling between anger and disbelief. “He cares so much he’d destroy himself for you. Crazy.”

I said nothing.

“Dear human,” she whispered, tears spilling freely now. “You’ve destroyed everything I built with him. Everything we had.”

She stumbled toward the window, pressing her palms to the wall like it could give her answers her heart couldn’t find.

“Is it because you stayed in this room?” she demanded. “Tell me what it is—please, tell me something.”

“I don’t know.”

Of course, she didn’t believe me.

I had to admit it—she was obsessed with him. Or maybe it was something darker than obsession. She shivered, gasping for breath as if her thoughts were suffocating her.

Somehow, in just a short time, I’d become an enemy to a woman I barely knew.

“You were supposed to be his cure,” she cried. “But you—” her voice broke “—you made everything worse!”

She screamed and collapsed to her knees. Lila’s candle slipped from her grasp, and darkness swallowed the room.

In the dark, Zara’s eyes gleamed faintly.

She shot to her feet, clawing at her hair. “Nothing—nothing can happen to Tristan!”

Then she stormed out.

Lila crouched, fumbling for the fallen candle. When she found it, the flame returned with a weak flicker.

She held it close, her eyes sharp in the dim light. “Whatever this is, don’t let it break you. Don’t let emotions rule you, understand?”

I said nothing at first, just studying her face in the wavering light.

“Do you hear me?” Her tone was gentle but unyielding.

My brow creased. “Why? Why all of this?”

She hesitated. “Because… there’s so much you don’t know.”