Prologue
Celestia Ryn Austen
“Y-You…you were my bodyguard this whole time?” He clenched my fists. I could feel him looking at me but I had my head lowered. I can’t bring myself to look at him, I am too guilty.
“I didn’t mean to keep this from you, I wanted to tell you but I-I just have to follow orders, it was my job,” I calmly told him, forcing him to collapse on the sofa.
“All this time you spent with me was just because you needed to do it because it was your job?” He raised his gaze.
This time, I decided to look at him. Deep pain was evident in his silver-glinting eyes, which hurt me way more towards the remorse feeling rising inside me.
I have always known that this day would come, but I ignored it and looked at where this irresponsibility took me.
He does not deserve this pain; I know he does not. This is all my fault for keeping this from him when I knew…he didn’t want any of those.
Austin didn’t want me or anyone to look after him when he can do that by himself, but he has to understand that it is not about his capabilities.
“N-No, Austin, I don’t mean it that way I stayed here with you because I—”
“How else would I believe every word that you will tell me? You have been lying to me this whole time, you all have been!” He slammed his fists on the center table and it broke. I instantly closed my eyes after he did that.
This is the first time he raised his voice at me, “Austin, listen to me first please…” I pleaded while sniffing.
“I-I trusted you with all of my secrets, my sorrow, and happiness, how could you keep something like this from me?” He gasped for air.
“You heard my statements, about how I loathed my father for always bringing up the fact that I needed some bodyguard, I am capable of myself! Were you part of those people insulting my capabilities too?!”
“That’s not it, Austin! I have never doubted you about your strength and the things you can do! Please listen to me first!” I approached him and was about to hold his hands, but he shoved me away, forcing me to fall to the ground.
It hurt a lot because of the impact, but I didn't mind because my chest was aching more.
“I even told you that you were my mate, were you honest with me too when you admitted that you had feelings for me or you just went along with it to prove that you are capable of being my bodyguard by being super close to me?” He solemnly asked, which caught me off guard.
“H-How could you think of me so low like that? I would never do that to you! I truly cared and loved you too!” I sobbed while cupping my face, “P-Please, just give me a chance to explain things to you,”
I hoped he would listen, but his eyes looked like they had already decided when I met his gaze.
“Why would I believe you? You are a liar, and you always will be from now on in my eyes,” After he said those words, he left me inside his fake house.
I fell onto my knees after he left and sobbed.
H-How? How will I let you know how much you really mean to me to the point that I’d risk my life to save you from everything?
CHAPTER One
Celestia Ryn Austen
“Line up!” My father's harsh voice rang in my ear like an alarm clock attempting to rouse me from a deep slumber.
What he said alerted me, and I stood with my chin held high alongside the men and women he had been training for years.
Even though I am his daughter, I don’t get any special treatment. Since I began to gain knowledge, he has been instructing me how to be an ideal bodyguard not only for humans but specifically for werewolves.
My family ancestors and relatives became good friends with werewolves for as long as we could remember.
We helped them through tough times and guaranteed our safety as long as we kept their identities from ourselves.
We are also keenly aware of the threats posed by vampires to humans and werewolves, so we look out for one another without prejudice.
“I have an announcement to make,” Romeo Austen, my father, announced, making some of them cheer while clapping their hands.
“Is that what I’m thinking about? Are they finally going to choose the secret bodyguard for the Alpha?!” One of my cousins screamed in excitement as my father nodded.
“Yes, that’s right, the former Alpha finally spoke to me yesterday and he wanted to meet all of you in secret this afternoon,” Dad proudly announced before looking at me.
I know that he is expecting a lot from me. I only gave him a smile before waiting for his other announcements because I know he still has something to say.
Those meaningful gazes and smiles are enough to build up the pressure forming inside of me because he wanted me to have that for myself.
Don’t get me wrong, it is also something I wanted. It has been my dream to be a bodyguard ever since I was a toddler.
We just don’t do basic bodyguard training, we train as if we’re some people ready to be put in combat or wars.
Nevertheless, we are far beyond the word bodyguard compared to normal ones around the city, but we still call it that way for specific reasons.
“He’s been having trouble dealing with his son and saw numerous letters on his study table, some of them were death threats,” Dad added, making some of them gasp in shock.
I rolled my eyes because they were at it again, overreacting even though they only heard 3% of what Dad is trying to tell us.
“I want you all to prepare yourself because you won’t know what will happen tonight, dismiss!” Father raised his tone as we all decided to leave the lobby of the solace training center.
This solace training center was built generations ago for our family. Aside from this place, Dad takes other part-time jobs to keep this place running for us.
“Celestia, come with me,” I flinched when I realized he followed me from behind. I turned my head to the back.
“Is there something you would like to talk about, Dad?” I curiously asked, but he only looked at me before nodding.
“I want you to make a good impression on the former Alpha, I’m confident that all of you would do a pretty good job, but I have high expectations from you,” He honestly told me.
I nodded because I was expecting to hear that from him, “I understand, I won’t disappoint you, Dad, this has been my dream for many years after I finished studying,”
He looked like he was proud of me before giving me a light tap on the head as he hugged me tightly.
“Your mother will always be proud of you no matter what will happen,” He whispered. I felt emotional for a moment before hugging him back.
Mother got sick years ago and died peacefully on her deathbed. It took a toll on us and we’re doing whatever it takes to cope.
She always reminded us that life goes on even after someone’s death and she wanted that for us before she left us in this world.
I broke my hug to Dad before smiling, “I should prepare myself, we are leaving in two hours, right?”
He nodded before averting his gaze at me, “Yes, and please, remember what I told you, make a good impression,”
I playfully winked before proceeding to my room. My room is the largest compared to the training area so sometimes, this is where I warm up and master the skills, I don’t quite know yet.
Since I have been doing this for years, I kind of mastered everything and just made sure I remembered all I needed to do before getting ready.
After wiping my sweat, I squinted my eyes after seeing that there was this huge box on my bed, “That was not there a while ago,”
I shook my head and decided to check what was inside. I almost gasped after seeing a fabulous black and white dress there that would literally make me stand out later.
A note was left on the top of the box, I grabbed it with my hands before checking who gave this to me.
“This is for you to wear later tonight, I know you would do great things for yourself and this family, love you dearly, Dad,”
I smiled after reading that letter before swiftly jumping into the bathroom to prepare myself and wearing that dress.
It wasn't long until I was already half-ready while I was curling my hair and putting some color on my face because it was probably a formal event or meeting.
“Perfect,” I muttered after checking myself out in the mirror. Mostly, people say that I inherited my mother’s beauty.
Just thinking about her makes me too emotional. Shaking my head, I stepped out of the room five minutes before our call time.
As usual, I got there first as my cousins revealed themselves shortly before whistling at the sight of me wearing a dress.
“Oh my gosh! Where the hell is Celestia? Did someone eat her up?!” Rums overreacted, forcing me to shake my head.
I couldn’t blame him, they always see me wearing tights and pants, mostly related to stuff about our training.
To be continued…
