Page 40 of Supernova

Celeste changed the topic slightly. “Can you believe dad was a wolf? That for me is the biggest shock of them all.”

“I honestly can’t.” The thought of mum keeping it from us caused my anger to flare again. “I guess it makes sense why I was drawn to them in some way.”

“That could definitely be part of it. I don’t know why I never felt a connection though, but maybe somehow your subconscious knew since you actually had a few years with him.” She sounded a little sad. Left out maybe. And my heart hurt for her. I hated that I had contributed to that by keeping things from her. I was happy I wouldn’t have to keep these things a secret from her anymore.

“Maybe. I guess that’s the only thing that makes sense.”

We continued to talk about other less depressing aspects of our lives, attempting to end the conversation on a more positive note. I updated her about the training and my little group of friends, trying my hardest to skim over Griffin, even when she pushed on if there were any cute guys at the academy or if I’d found a rebound yet. I kept it simple, telling her what I’d told myself—and the girls—over and over again; that I was not ready but Griffin and Carter were massive flirts and annoyingly attractive. I wasn’t ready to delve into the whole Griffin situation with her, especially not after all the River talk. She herself didn’t have any boy updates, mentioning that she’d dated but had no time for anyone that wouldn’t ‘woo’ her and that they were just not worth her time—a very Celeste outlook on the subject. We also discussed the possibility of her coming out to the academy during her college break to hone her skills further. Eventually, we said good night.

More than anything, I felt deflated—tired. I was starting to forget about it all, living a new life out here, and now it all came crashing down again, the weight of it crushing my broken heart. I took one step forward and three steps back.

I had made the call on the fire escape, knowing that if anyone interrupted, it would be one of my friends. It was one of the few places with actual privacy around here. The Chill usually had people in it and the rooms weren’t exactly secluded—the flaw of open-plan living. Somehow, I’d been in luck and no one had disturbed me. I took a few deep breaths, focusing my attention on the sky, to the few scattered stars that shined above me. It always seemed to calm me down. To ground me. At least momentarily.

Eventually though, I’d need to go inside. Need to face reality again. So I made my way back.

I couldn’t shake the weird mood I was in. It brought everything back up to the surface. I was irritated that I looked guilty while River came out scratch free. The town gossiped, and I knew that, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I was also worried for my family, even though I knew they could take care of themselves. With my mind occupied, I almost bumped right into Griff who was leaving the Chill.

“Whoa there, Supernova.” He shot his hands up in surrender, stopping in the doorway before I could enter, leaving me out in the hall.

“Hmm? Oh.” I was so out of it, I didn’t even realise someone was there before he spoke, or that I basically barrelled right into him. But now that I was aware, I realised that I had put my hands out to brace myself and they rested on the hard surface of his chest. “Sorry,” I muttered, looking at the placement of my hands and then at his face. He grinned down at me. Until he saw the look on my face. Then his own contorted into a scowl.

“Are you alright?” He asked, all humour in his voice now void.

“Um, yeah. Fine.” I mustered up the words, dropping my gaze to my fingers that I had removed from his body and began fidgeting with.

“Cosmo.” His tone was stern, a subtle command to confide in him as his large hands cupped mine, stopping the nervous movements. The tingle that the gesture ignited shocked me out of my current state, startling me out of my thoughts. I gave him all my attention. He turned to look around the Chill that hid behind him, taking note of the various people that must have been around—not that I could see over his large frame—before pushing me out into the quiet hallway, his hands still comfortingly holding my own.

“Tell me,” he urged, now that we were alone.

I slowly and gently pulled my hands out of his. “It’s nothing.” My smile wasn’t quite full. “I just spoke to my sister. She gave me an update about home.”

“About him?” He asked, sliding his hands casually into his pockets.

“Yeah.” My hands felt empty now so I fiddled with my phone, flipping it around. “It’s just not fun hearing the rumours that go around in small towns. That’s all.”

One of his hands reached out to my chin, lifting it up so I could once again face him. “People will always talk.”

“I know.”

“You can’t let every stupid thing some gossiping soccer mom says about you get to your pretty little head.” I took in the slight upwards curve of his full lips and the deep grey of his flawless eyes. He really was beautiful. I nodded in agreement.

“Atta girl.” He smiled and it consumed me.

“I can always head out to this town of yours and make them stop talking if you like?” He added as he let go of my chin and dropped his hand back into this pocket.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m trying to save those idiots from danger, not bring more.”

He scoffed.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m worried about my family—about Celeste being there. I’m worried the pack might try something again, and Celeste could be a target to get back at me. Maybe I need to go back earlier?”

He moved to the spot beside me, leaning on the wall. “I think your sister and your mum can take care of themselves. I’ll talk to Thea about sending down a squad to keep an eye on things there. And as soon as you’re ready, once you’ve at least learned to control your hunter gifts, we’ll send you down too.”

I looked at him gratefully.

“We’ll all go. I’m sure Kit, Billie & Carter will want to kick their asses just as much as I do,” he grinned, excitement clear in his words.

I huffed a tired laugh, shaking my head. “Of course you do.”

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