Chapter 60 - The Decision

CELESTINA VILLARAMA’S POV

I didn’t even have the chance to think twice about the words that came out of my mouth. I was too hyped up by the provocation that Leonardo was giving me. I shouldn’t have said those if I knew that he was just trying to threaten me. Although I realized it too late, I know that I have to take responsibility for it.

The beta’s smirk faded upon noticing that I wasn’t joking around. “You’re willing to sacrifice your life just for a mere Delta?” Leonardo asked, clenching his fists that were holding his utensils. “Why won’t you do the same for me? Is it that difficult for you to kill the current alpha and let someone like me lead the pack? You don’t look like you’re brainless. Can’t you understand Lucas’ situation? He’s literally having difficulties dealing with his health and the pack itself,” he consecutively questioned me, as if he knew that I would pity the alpha.

I bit my lower lip when an idea popped into my mind. Judging from everything that the beta said, he’s probably aiming to let me take Lucas’ life for him to have a feasible takeover.

“I heard that Ice is indeed one of your weaknesses; Stella informed me regarding all of the things that she knows about you,” Leonardo said, making me glance my way to my sister, who was having the best time of her life eating. “Once I grasped Ice and locked him in my arms, I bet that you’d beg and be on your knees just to set him free. And when that time comes—”

“I’ll be forced to take Lucas’ life,” I cut him off, continuing what he wanted to say. “I won’t let that happen, Leo,” I firmly said, staring deeply into his eyes.

I stood up from my seat, not bothering to take a bite from the dish that was prepared on the table.

In an attempt to take my leave, my feet froze on the ground upon seeing the man who arrived in a black suit. His eyes were flaring, and his hair was pushed back, making him look intimidating yet gentle.

“I-Ice, why are you here? You shouldn’t have come here,” I hurriedly whispered to him as I approached him in the blink of an eye. I had to tiptoe just to reach his ears and let him be the only one to hear my message. “Leo and Stella teamed up, we’re both going to be doomed because you arrived,” I added.

Ice’s lips formed a small smile. “Don’t worry, Celestina. I wouldn’t show myself here if I wasn’t prepared for the worst,” he assured me, placing his hand above my head as he gently ruffled my hair.

The delta stepped forth, halting directly in front of them, in the spot where I was earlier. His broad back was the only thing that made me feel like I was the one being protected, even though it should be the other way around. Knowing that Leo was the type of person who doesn’t hold himself back from whoever his opponent is, I know that he’d do anything just to let his desire and satisfaction be fulfilled.

“You saved me the trouble of searching for you, Ice. Did you eavesdrop on our private conversation?” Beta Leonardo interrogated the delta, slightly raising his chin to make Ice afraid of him.

Ice sipped through the air before he heaved out a sigh. “You’re getting too ahead of yourself, Leonardo. You weren’t present here for years; you absolutely have no clue about how much blood and sweat I offered to my daily training,” he confidently said, shutting down Leo’s confidence.

“Ice, don’t provoke him; you’re just going to make things worse than they are,” I intervened.

However, my warning was too late.

“Do you want to make a bet?” Leo uttered as he firmly held Ice’s neck.

The way that his fingers got deep into Ice’s neck got me feeling suffocated as well, even if I wasn’t the one that was strangled. Ice’s feet were no longer in contact with the ground, he was floating mid-air because of how high Leo was raising his arm without letting go of his neck.

“Stop this, Leo. This won’t help you rise up to being an alpha; you’re just going to anger the moon goddess,” I mumbled, hoping that he’d release Ice as soon as possible. “He’s not capable of—”

“D-don’t say anything, C-Celestina…” Ice stuttered as he tried to resist the beta’s grip, as both of Ice’s hands were on the beta’s head. “S-spill your conditions, Leonardo. I know that you’re not entertained by this kind of torture,” he said to the beta.

“Celestina here would be the one to hear about my conditions. You’re just a hostage of mine if ever she doesn’t accomplish any of the two,” Leo replied, finally letting the delta go as he pushed Ice to the chair where I sat. “What do you say, Celestina? Are you ready to hear me out?” Leo glanced my way.

I couldn’t help but nod my head, even though I wasn’t sure if this was the right decision.

“My first condition is to be my chosen mate,” Leo immediately said as soon as he saw me nodding out of desperation to spare my friend. “Be my mate and be the pack’s Luna, Celestina,” he continued.

“That’s absurd! Lucas is still alive, and there’s no one here who can beat him in your stead,” I said, realizing that Leo’s first condition was completely messed up. “If you want to be an Alpha that badly, why don’t you get the fuck out of here and build your own?” I suggested it to him, seeing that it was the only hope that would favor him and the rest of us.

Leo shook his head. “My second condition is…” He smirked, holding his chin. “Be Siege’s mate and the Crimson Moon Pack’s Luna.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Your second condition is easier than the first,” I commented.

Beta Leonardo shrugged both of his shoulders. “Really? Then, shall I make it more complicated?" Leo let out a loud laugh. “After you’ve become his mate and Luna, you should take your own life in front of him, so that he can witness the death of his beloved and be completely hopeless, devastated, and miserable,” he further said of the modifications to his second condition.

I should’ve just kept my mouth shut if I knew that he would go that far.

“Don’t choose anything, Celestina. He can’t do anything to me; we all have the moon goddess’ protection from above,” Ice said.

I bit my lower lip, knowing that Ice wasn’t included in that protection, he’s just a human after all.

“What would you do if I didn't choose?” I asked out of pure curiosity.

Leo pointed his index finger over Ice's forehead. “I’ll kill Ice; he’s my hostage. What’s the purpose of taking him as a hostage if I won’t annihilate him afterwards?” He smirked. “I’ll only give you a minute or two to decide, Celestina. If you don’t make your choice now, your dear friend here won’t get to see the next sunrise anymore,” he threatened me.

My eyesight kept switching between Ice and Leo. I couldn’t decide which one I should prioritize, but one thing is for sure: I won’t let Leo get what he desires.

“I’ve already made up my mind, Leo,” I said, shutting my eyes for a second to brace myself for the worst. “I’ve decided to take Alpha Lucas’ life and be your chosen mate at the same time as fulfilling the role and responsibilities as the Silver Moon Pack’s Luna,” I coldly responded.