Chapter 113 EXPOSING THE TRUTH
Percival
I couldn't bring myself to lie, even though I might have wanted to. Anita seemed to hold a strange power over me, and I ended up handing over the items as requested. In return, she gave me another drink—some unique homemade alcohol she had crafted.
Once I finished the drink Anita gave me, a rush of vitality surged through me. My senses felt heightened, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Edeline. I decided to seek her out, finding her at the party Mirabelle had organized. She looked absolutely breathtaking, dressed in tight shorts that highlighted the length of her legs.
I approached her with a mix of intent and anxiety. I continued to administer injections, hoping they would help her relax a bit more. After a while, I suggested a visit to the hot springs to help her unwind. Although she looked stunning, I could sense an underlying unease in her demeanor. It was evident that the alcohol was starting to affect her, making her more disoriented.
Seizing the opportunity, I had her sit on my lap. I started to feel a pang of remorse as I noticed how confused she seemed. Yet, when I began caressing her thighs and she did not protest, I took it as a sign. I proceeded to touch her more intimately and then inserted my fingers, providing her with some relief. Despite my growing sense of unease, I felt a strong urge to bring her closer to me. As I turned her around gently and shared a tender kiss, I helped her remove her panties, preparing to be with her. But then, to my frustration, she vanished. She appeared extremely intoxicated, her head lolling to one side. She spoke in a way that was hard to understand, mentioning she felt like she might lose consciousness. Overcome by guilt, I decided to stop. I couldn’t go through with it, despite the inner part of me that wanted to.
I pulled her from the water and carefully laid her on the stone. She confessed she had taken a Xanax from her mother, which explained her slurred speech and deepened my remorse.
The next morning, the breakfast table was a scene of painful awkwardness. Edeline had no memory of the previous night, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. I felt I had to keep this secret. Later, Tatiana arrived with the garment I had given to her aunt. In front of everyone, she humiliated Edeline. It took every ounce of my self-control not to lash out.
Despite everything, there was a noticeable shift within the pack. They rallied around Edeline, obstructing Z’s attempts to make any progress. The pack’s support for Edeline was strong and unwavering. Their affection for her seemed to manifest almost out of nowhere.
I could feel a change happening within me too. I struggled to articulate it, but I felt a strong loyalty to Tatiana’s aunt. That night, she kissed me. I didn’t desire it, yet there was an odd sensation associated with it. I felt like I was doing something that brought her satisfaction. Seeing Anita express pride in me was strangely gratifying.
The changes I was undergoing confused me.
As I read the last sentence, frustration and anger surged through me. My inner wolf was agitated, craving vengeance. Z had violated my friend, interacting with her without her clear and enthusiastic consent while she was sober. It was revealed that he had been collaborating with Tatiana and her aunt all along.
I knew I had to take action. My intention to cause him harm grew stronger by the minute.
…
Nixx
I felt a crushing weight in my mind, like it was about to explode. The information I had just received was too much to process.
“Are you certain, Percival?” I asked, my voice firm as I tried to contain the rage bubbling up inside me. My wolf was clawing at the surface, ready to unleash fury on whoever was responsible.
Percival nodded, his anger practically radiating off him like a volcano about to erupt. His emotions were easy to read.
He shoved a brown leather-bound journal into my hands, the force of it making me pull it close to my chest on instinct. I stared at him, confused, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Read the last entry,” he demanded, his teeth clenched so tight I could almost hear them grinding. He began pacing the room, clearly as eager as I was to unleash the beast within.
I looked down at the final page and started reading. The handwriting was rushed, almost frantic. The more I read, the more my anger grew.
“Darius has been working with... Tatiana? And Anita? And he... he almost attacked my sister?!" The words tumbled out of my mouth in a furious snarl as I hurled the book to the floor. Betrayal and rage swirled inside me, overwhelming my thoughts.
Percival might not be thinking clearly. The mating hormones coursing through him could cloud his judgment, making him blind to everything but his mate’s emotions. But I was still unattached. We needed to team up and expose Anita’s role in this mess. It was obvious she had a hand in poisoning Mirabelle, even though it was meant for my sister. Darius, however, made his choice to help Tatiana before Anita even got involved. He needs to answer for that. I cannot believe he actually cares for her... Jealousy was eating him alive when it came to Edeline and Percival. But still, he chose to help Tatiana on his own.
And Tatiana...
My friend... She tried to hurt my sister behind my back. I get that she feels trapped, like she has no way out... But she’s deeper into this than I thought. My sister’s been suffering because of her. I’ve been too blinded by my connection with her to see it clearly. I know there’s more to her than what’s on the surface.
But I just cannot forgive this.
I cannot forgive her for what she’s done to my family.