Chapter 106

I could only stare at my father as I processed what he had just told me. Despite the fact that I had lived with the knowledge that my mother had been dead my entire life, it still hurt when my father confirmed it.

I guess a little ember of hope had been lit that my mother was somehow still alive when I had discovered that my father was, in fact, not dead anymore. The grief threatened to consume me and my eyes began to burn with unshed tears.

Without saying anything, Matt reached over and grabbed my hand underneath the table. I gripped his hand so tight that it would probably be hurt if he was human. Like my father was human. But he wasn’t human. And neither was my mother.

Focusing on something other than my mother’s death helped clear my head a little. At least enough that I was able to ask my father a question. “So, why am I not a werewolf if my mother was one?”

Something flashed in my father’s eyes and they became more guarded. It was almost like he was trying to hide something from me. Before I could call him out on it, Matt answered the question for him.

“When humans and werewolves have children together, the kids are almost always human. I mean, werewolves are still mostly human. There’s a very slim chance that the child will be born a werewolf.”

My father nodded enthusiastically at Matt’s explanation, the guarded expression disappearing as fast as it came. “That’s exactly right.”

I let out a dry chuckle. “So I’m not going to suddenly sprout claws and fangs now that I know the truth?”

And just like that, the weird expression was back on his face. In fact, it was like his face just shut down completely. There was definitely something he wasn’t telling me and I doubted I would get anything from him before he was ready.

Matt looked between me and my father, his eyes narrowing as he took in my father’s face. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that noticed it. But Matt also kept his mouth shut. My father had already told us a lot. We shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Well, I think this has been enough for one night. It’s getting late. Why don’t you two take my bed and I’ll take the couch here,” Henry said and my eyebrows shot up. He couldn’t be serious.

“You’re letting us sleep together?” I asked incredulously and then blushed as I realized how I had phrased it. “I mean, not sleep together, but share a bed. I mean, uh…you know what I mean.”

My father let out a full belly laugh. “It’s clear to me that you two care about each other. Plus, you’re adults. I might be your father by blood, but that doesn’t give me the right to be all high and mighty with you now.”

My mouth opened, slack-jawed. I had never been treated like an adult. Jack had kept me under lock and key as soon I hit my teenage years. Something akin to relief and uncertainty flowed through my body.

“Matt, are you okay with that arrangement?” I asked, looking anywhere but at him. I felt like if I did, I would combust on the spot. I’m sure my face was already red enough as it was.

“As long as you’re okay with it,” Matt answered and I bit my bottom lip. Our relationship, if you could even call it that, was just now getting back onto better terms. If we stayed together in the same bed, would it ruin everything? Or bring us closer together?

“I can sleep on the floor if you would feel better that way,” Matt suggested and I shook my head hard enough that my hair went flying. Well, I guess that was that.

“Let me get the bedroom set up and I’ll get the fire going, too. It can get pretty chilly at night,” Henry said and disappeared into a back room. We didn’t have to wait too long before he was back in the living room and I could hear the comforting roar of a fire.

“Alright. That’s it. Goodnight, Celeste,” Henry said, but he hesitated, like he wanted to say more. Like he wanted to do more. I had a feeling I knew what it was.

I cautiously walked over to him and stood in front of him for a few moments before wrapping my arms around his middle, burying my head into his chest. Henry sucked in a deep breath, then he returned my hug. He clutched me to him like I was a life raft in the middle of a turbulent ocean.

“I’m glad you’re alive…Dad,” I whispered shakily, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. I don’t think I had ever said it out loud before tonight.

“Me too, kiddo,” he said before kissing the top of my head and pushing me toward the bedroom. I felt a little giddy as Matt and I walked into the small room. I couldn’t believe that I had an actual dad.

Matt turned out the light and the bedroom became lit by the soft glow of the firelight. We climbed into bed and there was absolutely nothing sexy about it. We were just two people getting ready to sleep.

By the time we settled in, my father was already fast asleep on the couch, his snores a rhythmic backdrop to the otherwise still night. I giggled a little. I didn’t think I would be falling asleep that fast.

Matt and I faced each other and his eyes met mine, a mixture of concern and understanding etched in their depths. “Are you okay, Celeste?”

I nodded, surprised that I actually was okay. “Yeah, I’m fine. It was a lot to take in and it’s weird that I suddenly have a dad, but I’m oddly okay.”

Time seemed to slip away as we continued to talk, and before we knew it, the fire had burned down to embers. The cabin was wrapped in a cocoon of quietude, our words the only thing breaking the stillness.

In that moment, I realized how deeply connected I felt to Matt, how effortlessly we could share our souls with one another.As the last ember faded, casting the room into near darkness, I felt a gentle touch on my hand.

I turned to find Matt's eyes searching mine, a question lingering in their depths. Without a word, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a chaste, tender kiss. My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t pull away.

It was a moment suspended in time, a fleeting connection that spoke volumes without a single word. The weight of our unspoken emotions hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of something profound and beautiful.

With a soft smile, Matt pulled back, his fingers entwined with mine. There was no need for words; the moment spoke for itself. As sleep claimed us, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that in this remote cabin, under a canopy of a million stars, something special had bloomed between us.