Chapter 58 - The Invitation II

CELESTINA VILLARAMA'S POV

The way that Alpha Lucas cared so dearly about me, as if he didn't used to be so mad about my first appearance here when Ice brought me, made me wonder why he wanted to regard me as someone he must treasure for his entire life. In such a fragile body as his, I knew that I was supposed to be the one to take care of him and hold myself responsible for his health.

"If you don't want to let Leo lead the Silver Moon Pack in the meantime, then would you rather let me be the one to step in?" I uttered my second suggestion. "Though I'm not sure if I can do a great job like you," I shyly added.

Lucas bit his lower lip as he glanced back at me. "You don't know much about packs, Celestina. People would just ridicule you for leading the pack, and no one would trust their lives to an omega," he refused for the second time.

Seeing that there's no other choice left, I frowned. "If that's the case, then I should just force Leo to be the one to lead. You can't stop me either way," I said, stomping my feet as I headed in front of the doorstep. "You won't even stop me from going?"

I rolled my eyes when Lucas just gave me a dismissive wave. Walking out of his room, I stumbled upon Ice in the corner of the hallway. He seemed intrigued to know about the conversation between me and the alpha, so I told him about Leonardo's return instead.

"Beta Leo came back?" Ice asked with a gasp. "It would be better for you to stay hidden somewhere out of Beta Leo's sight. If what you told me was true, then he's definitely searching for you for the third time. Once he finds you again without the Wongs siblings around, he won't let you go anymore," he said.

"That's not possible, Ice. I have to find him and let him lead the pack for a few days or weeks. It's for Lucas' sake as well," I turned him down. "Do you have any idea where Leo's staying now? I know that he still hasn't reached out to your pack lately, but maybe you know his usual hideouts."

Ice sighed as he accompanied me downstairs. "I can't take you to where he is, Celestina. He's not someone you can easily convince without anything in return," he responded.

The alpha and Ice were afraid of Leo's personality, but I don't think that Leo can hurt me after what Siege told him, so I tried to insist on Ice bringing me to where Leo was lurking around. We headed out of the Silver Moon Pack house, walking through the middle of the streets.

“Are you sure about your decision, Celestina? Can’t you just stick by Lucas’ side and find the curse’s cure?” he asked, which seemed kind of redundant to me.

I glanced at him with a dismayed expression. “I still have my own curse to deal with, Ice. I’m sorry, but I can’t prioritize finding the cure for your alpha.”

Ice stopped walking the moment that we were in front of a single-story house that had an extravagant appearance from the exterior. The lights were turned on even though it wasn’t nighttime yet. He gave me one last glance before he nodded his head to give me his approval to meet with the beta. Ice was the one who pushed the doorbell, and a few seconds later, the door was opened.

A man who had no shirt on walked out from the doorway, hastily approaching me. “You’re the least one that I didn’t expect to visit me, Celestina,” Leo said before he eyed the one beside me. “I should thank you for bringing my girl to my house, Ice. I owe you one,” he muttered to my friend at the same time that he invited me inside.

“Can’t I come in with Ice?” I pointed over to Ice, feeling uncomfortable that I would be alone with Leo in that small house. There weren't a lot of people passing through here, so I had to be cautious as well. “If you’re going to tell Ice to go away, then I’ll also be taking my leave,” I added to persuade him further.

Leo sighed as he opened the gates for the both of us to enter. We removed our footwear as we stepped into his house.

“I can’t even imagine how you can live in this type of place. There’s literally nothing other than a bed and an air conditioner,” Ice commented as he roamed his eyes around.

Ice’s statement was true. There wasn’t even any space for him to cook his meal or a comfort room. I doubt that the beta really stays here. He’s probably just using this house for his hideout purposes.

“You’re making it sound like this is the first time that you came here,” Leo said to Ice as the three of us sat on the bed.

I was on the edge, refusing to sit in the middle to avoid being too touchy with Leo. “Have you already heard about what happened to Lucas?” I asked him, and he just shook his head. “Were you close with him? I don’t think that you’d become his beta if you weren’t. He’s currently not in his best state with his health right now, so I was hoping that you could—”

“I won’t lead the Silver Moon Pack, Celestina.” Leo cut me off. “I have no reason to help him out with his pack’s business. I don’t even care if he will die,” he added.

My vision darkened as I stared into the middle of the room. I wasn’t expecting that he’d straight out turn down my invitation for him to become the temporary leader.

“You’re the beta, Leo. You can’t turn me down like this. Everyone would turn their backs against you if you don’t assist the alpha during these circumstances,” I mumbled as I bowed my head, clenching my fists, thinking about how thick his head was.

“I’ll think about it for a few hours. Though I’m certain that I won’t simply agree without having you agree to any of my conditions, Celestina.” Beta Leonardo held my chin to force me to gaze his way, smirking as he saw my crying face.