Chapter 208

Jacob’s POV Sitting on the small mound, watching that bunch of little ones playing with sand and water was a bit boring. But what could I do? I was injured. No one wanted to let this “fragile item” do any heavy lifting. Lily’s daughter Aurora, Xaver’s son Kay, and a few other three- or four-year-olds from the pack were gathered together, chattering away as they used their chubby little hands to build shapeless sandcastles, completely carefree. Sometimes, when I took the time to watch them, it felt strangely fascinating, and my heart would go all soft inside. Such adorable little creatures. Seeing them, I couldn’t help but think of Celena. Damn it, if it weren’t for Brett and that hunter business, maybe I’d have finished marking her by now, and she’d be my mate in every sense. Though having kids would still be a bit too soon. I loved kids, I really did. Watching these little ones made my heart melt. But Celena was only fourteen. For a werewolf, that age was nowhere near the heat cycle. She was still a child, both physically and mentally. I shaked my head, banishing those messy thoughts, and continue dutifully playing my role as the “kid leader” and “daydreaming machine.” Celena’s POV Today, I was busy with my tasks. Occasionally, I’d glanced up and saw Jacob sitting not far away, his broad back visible. He looked a bit lonely, probably because of his injuries. That strange feeling welled up inside me again, this guy… he was actually not bad. He seemed pretty dependable. Brett was truly gone, and I missed him terribly. But to be fair, maybe Jacob wasn’t entirely to blame for everything. Lily, Ethan, even my brother Max, they all thought he was a good person. So perhaps… I really couldn’t pin all the fault on him alone? My wolf didn’t leap out to voice any opinion this time. Just like yesterday, it murmured something deep within my consciousness, unwilling to give a clear answer to my question. Strange. I was currently busy preparing decorative flower baskets and arranging flowers for the dance party. This job didn’t require much thinking. I just put those flowers and green leaves together by feeling. I never expected that everyone would say I did a good job. Even Lily came over to take a look, patted my head and praised me, saying, “You’re so talented, Celena!” I felt a little bit of pride. Lily never lied. My brother Max also squeezed in some time to join me. That clumsy oaf clearly meant to help, but he kept arranging the flowers into weird, lopsided bouquets that made everyone around us laugh. Watching his awkward yet earnest efforts, I couldn’t help but laugh too. Then I would take the flowers from him, rearrange them, and make them look nicer. I figured that was just how siblings were. But today, Max seemed unusually quiet. I couldn’t tell if he was shy or what. Max’s POV I fucking… kinda wanted to cry. Shit, it’s embarrassing for a grown man to cry, but my nose just kept stinging. I wanted to hug my poor little sister Natalie.No, Celena. That was her name now. She was my only family. After everything she’d been through, she’d been as cold and hard as stone, devoid of any warmth. Now, she finally spoke like a normal person again, she smiled, and she even patiently helped her clumsy big brother arrange flowers. Oh my God, I thought leaving her in the Moonlight Clan back then was the most correct decision. If she followed me, how could I, a careless man, knew how to comfort a fourteen-year-old girl whose heart had been hurt? Now I also called her Celena very carefully, fearing that calling her the wrong name “Natalie” might bring back those unpleasant memories for her. I thought my sister was amazing. She could do such a delicate job as flower arrangement so beautifully. As for that kid Jacob, I noticed him too. But when it came to emotions… I was still a bachelor myself and had no idea about all these love affairs. Forgot it. Let’s not get involved for now. Just let things take their natural course. Let them handle it themselves. As long as Celena could gradually get better, that was better than anything else.