Moonlight After Goodbye Chapter 05

Moonlight After Goodbye Chapter 05

Back at my home in Moonridge Pack, I flopped onto the soft bed my mom had fixed for me.

My parents walked in after me, their eyes full of worry.

“Celeste, weren’t you going to spend two weeks in Iceland with Declan?” my mother asked. “It’s only been a few days. Why are you home by yourself?”

I lay face-down on my pillow, overwhelmed by exhaustion and too drained to speak.

My father grew anxious. “Baby, did Declan Ashford mistreat you? Just wait. I’ll go settle things with the Ashford Pack.”

A small laugh escaped me. Free of the heavy weight on my chest, I finally smiled from the bottom of my heart.

“Dad, don’t get worked up.”

I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. The glowing star stickers Declan and I had bought as kids were still on the ceiling. They lit up in the dark, but in daylight, they were just dull stickers with peeling edges.

“I broke up with him.”

The room fell silent for two seconds. Dad clenched and unclenched his fist, before forcing out a single sentence.

“If it’s over, then it’s over. So what if he’s the Alpha heir? That boy isn’t good enough for my daughter anyway.”

Mom sat down on the edge of the bed and wrapped her hand around mine. My cold body finally warmed up little by little, starting from my fingertips.

“Mom, I turned down the job offer in New York.”

“Turn it down then, no big deal,” Mom waved it off casually. “Your aunt’s design studio in Seattle reached out to you before. You can go check it out if you want to work there. Or you’re welcome to stay home, either way is fine.”

Dad nodded vigorously beside her. “Yeah, staying home is great too. I’ll cook all your favorite meals for you. You’ve gotten so skinny from this trip.”

Watching them walk on eggshells around me, my eyes suddenly stung.

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“I’d like some oatmeal.”

Mom smiled. “Alright, I’ll send your dad to make it. He’s been watching YouTube tutorials nonstop and says he’s totally mastered the trick to making it.”

Dad immediately puffed out his chest with pride. “You bet I have. Wait and see, baby. I’ll show you my skills.”

He reached the doorway, then glanced back at me one more time.
“Wait right here for me.”

The clattering of cookware rang out from the kitchen. I leaned my head against Mom’s shoulder and closed my eyes.

When Dad carried the bowl of oatmeal in, a burnt smudge stained the front of his apron—he’d run over before turning off the heat. The oatmeal was still bubbling, hot steam rushing straight to my face.

I took a spoonful. “This is really good.”

Dad’s shoulders visibly relaxed with relief. “Of course it is. Do you know how long I’ve been practicing this?”

Mom chuckled beside us. “He practiced for three days and burned five whole pots.”

“Why’d you expose my flaws in front of our kid?”

I finished the oatmeal spoon by spoon as I listened to them bicker.

“Mom, I want rosemary steak for dinner tonight.”

“Consider it done.” Mom brushed a strand of hair behind my ear gently, full of sympathy. “Your dad marinated the ribeye steaks earlier. Starting tomorrow, you’re finishing all three meals every day.”

“Mom, I’m not a pup anymore.”

“Even pups are less trouble to raise than you.”

Dad cut in. “Yep, even the pups are chubbier than you.”

Mom shot him a sharp look. *Watch your mouth.*

We all broke into laughter together.