Celeste’s POV

*****

Beach House, 8:22 Pm

After a while of questioning, we were escorted back to the beach house when our identities were confirmed. Especially me.

Overshadowed or not, no one wanted to keep the North American Alpha king’s daughter held up for too long. Let alone after they called in my parents.

"This may be outside our control for now," the captain cleared her throat, hands in her pockets as she stood in front of us.

We were before the house, just right below the stone pathway. My arms wrapped around my body, jaw tightened when I caught the lingering look she gave me.

"However," she added, "I won’t be surprised if you get more questions from higher authorities, young woman. What the town witnessed tonight wasn’t just suspicious. But gravely concerning."

Gods above—this was the opposite of ’control’. And I thought I finally had it.

I never meant to unleash my magic the way I did back there. That’s... if it really was my magic.

"And you four," the woman’s head whipped to the boys, eyes squinted. "I don’t know your relationship with her but I trust you’re keeping her safe. I won’t be the one questioning you next time."

Silas was the one who responded, that kind smile he always used when socialising lighting up his face. "Yes, ma’am. Nothing to worry about." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, making me feel like jumping into the ocean.

The woman kept her sharp eyes pinned on us for a few more seconds before walking away. "Good night."

"Good night, ma’am." I waved, half smiling and half about to run insane. When she’d gotten far enough, I pulled out my phone, subconsciously shrugging off Silas’ arm. "No, no... please, no." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

’It can’t be as bad as you’re imagining it.’ my wolf tried calming me. ’Yes, people had their phones out but the media really can’t—’

"Shit!" I cursed, thunder rumbling above in tandem with my distress. I ignored that, eyes glued on the headlines popping up on my screen. "North American hybrid princess named ’Child of Chaos’ by Vein Beast. Nearly destroys Montecito with a magic outburst?"

Reading it out felt like reality laughed on my face before dumping a load of spit for good measure.

There were clips.

Actual video clips showing the humanoid Vein beast speaking to me. Another showed the moment my scream shattered glass doors and made the beast crawl out of the alley.

Most of the headlines barely acknowledged the presence of the boys.

All attention was on me.

"Well, this is definitely worse than a Blood Eye report," Luther chuckled awkwardly, earning a glare from me. "Too soon?"

The others moved closer to me, but just when I was about to go hide in the house—

"I believe all that shouting means you’ve seen the headlines?" A low baritone that I’ve spent all my life hearing cracked through the night.

I froze, too shaken to even look in that direction. I knew damn well who that was.

But... really?

"Is that...?" Atlas’ mumbled, turning first.

"Oh, crap."

"It’s Alpha King Kaelos."

Yep.

When I followed their gazes, I spotted my father close to the crashing waves, a violet portal glowing behind him. He was dressed in a crimson attire, a formal cloak trimmed with fur flowing in the air behind him.

His silver eyes gleamed despite the contrast from the portal. And speaking of the portal... It’s light brightened, another figure stepping out of it with far more grace.

Trademark lush blonde hair. Eyes that glowed like twin violet stars. And a handless golden gown.

The moment she walked out, it closed with a blink, leaving no trace. "Celeste. Honey." My mother was the first to move forward, exchanging a brief glance with Dad.

Then her eyes swept past each of us, assessing and questioning all at once. Clearly, the boys joining me for the vacation were beyond their expectations.

"We obviously have a LOT to discuss." Mom added, forcing a smile and keeping her voice steady.

.

.

Once we got inside, everyone sat around the dining table. The electricity was up tonight, making it easy to take in the daunting expressions of my parents.

For people pushing fifty, they still looked so young. There was barely any difference between them now and their pictures from twenty years ago.

Mom sat at one end of the table, her husband staying calmly to her right. Too calm. I knew my father well enough to know his silence didn’t always mean peace.

As for the boys and me, we sat at the opposite end—mostly because I was scared shitless of being too close when the scolding and yelling commenced.

"Where do we even begin?" Mom cleared her throat, parting a stray strand of her hair. "Your father and I had to drop every important thing we had tonight and tomorrow morning. From meetings with the packs of Canada concerning a dispute, to your father’s businesses..."

She paused, leaning in even though she was still a good distance away. "... For you, Celeste. Before this escalates into something that’ll mess up your life beyond repair."

I bit back the urge to talk.

Because really... What could I say?

They were unaware of just about everything happening in my life. Even this vacation... what they knew was that the Dean gave me one.

Who would’ve ever thought I was taking four hot men with me?

"I know what it feels like," my mother went on, "for your magic to cause so much chaos that the public makes it their business. You’re even lucky it didn’t cause any significant damage."

"Point is," my father joined in naturally. "We expected you’d be more open with us. About your magic. Your mother told me she noticed changes but we never knew it would be anything like this."

I lowered my head, fiddling with my fingers on the dining table. Suddenly, I felt this odd pang of guilt.

’Celeste, no.’ My wolf hushed my thoughts. ’You were preparing yourself to tell them. It’s a lot for any parent to take in so of course you were hesitant...’

With a breath, she added. ’... Now you have the chance to come clean. Fully.’

"Also, Celeste," my father snapped his fingers, pointing them one by one at each of my mates. "Who are these men?"

Goddess, have mercy. The moment of truth.

After trailing my gaze past my mates, I faced my parents. "I–I..." I stuttered, a knot tightening my throat. A shaking exhale left me as I continued. "Mom. Dad. Meet my mates."