Chapter 18 STRUGGLE
Edeline
He was offering me a way out.
How could I continue hanging out with my best friend under these conditions?
I nodded, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was deeply upset—this pain was overwhelming. It seemed like others’ decisions were negatively impacting my life, and I was left to deal with the fallout. And what did he mean by “things I don’t know”?
Fuming, I stormed out of his office and made my way to my parents' house through the back door. I needed the comfort of family right now. I’d cried so much that self-pity was the last thing on my mind. My emotions were raw, and I was beyond frustrated.
As I walked along the dusty path to my parents' home, I noticed a couple of girls my age whispering and casting glances in my direction. I wanted to retreat, but my inner wolf was itching for a confrontation. I paused and made eye contact with them, holding their gaze firmly.
They exchanged uneasy looks, their eyes widening slightly before they quickly looked away. They clearly weren’t up for a fight, especially not with someone they perceived as more powerful. Darius and Nixx had always taught me how to hold my own, and I knew I could handle myself.
Resuming my walk, I turned the corner and approached my parents’ front door—the familiar turquoise one that had been a constant in my life. The comforting scent of home greeted me, and I could already tell my mom was baking her famous cherry pie. As I stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia hit me, and memories from my younger days came rushing back.
“Hey there,” Mom greeted me, pressing her cheek gently against mine. Our scents mingled, creating a familiar comfort. She pulled back slightly, her hands gripping my arms as she studied my face. I saw a flicker of sadness in her green eyes, and I was sure my own reflection mirrored the same inner turmoil. I felt a bit numb.
“Hey, Edeline. Is everything okay? Something seems off,” Dad’s voice cut through my thoughts. His forest green eyes were fixed on my face, and I could sense his wolf’s agitation. He was picking up on something wrong, making him alert and tense.
“Alpha William told me to stay away from Darius,” I murmured, barely managing to get the words out.
Dad’s expression darkened with anger. “That jerk!” he spat, slamming his fist on the table. The sound startled both Mom and me.
“Hey, Dad, don’t worry about it,” I said quickly, trying to defuse the situation. “He assured me that if I needed to, I could still see him, as long as I’m careful not to get caught or carry his scent. He mentioned there are things I don’t understand. I’m not sure what he meant, but I’m sure everything will be okay. It’s a great day—Nixx will be here any minute, and I don’t want to mess things up.”
Dad’s gaze was intense as he locked eyes with me. “No, it’s not okay. None of this is okay, Edeline. I’m going to have a talk with William. He should have informed me about this. Nothing is kept from me, and he knows better than to make decisions about you without consulting me first,” he said, his voice dropping to a low growl that made me shiver.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I trudged over to the well-worn brown suede couch and sank into its familiar cushions. Mom was instantly by my side, her presence a soothing balm.
“Hey, maybe you should think about moving back into our home instead of staying at the pack house. Have you given that any thought?” she suggested, wrapping her arms around me. The comforting scent of vanilla and grass enveloped me, calming my frazzled nerves. I was as upset as Dad was. The Alpha hadn’t even bothered to discuss this with him before reaching out to me. It felt like a breach of trust. Dad wasn’t just my father; he was also the beta. He should have been consulted.
“Yeah, I’m not sure, Mom. I might consider it, but I need some time to think.”
Her warm smile offered a glimmer of comfort, and I felt a bit of the tension ease.
Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and heavy footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor. I looked up to see Nixx standing there, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Hey there!” I exclaimed, leaping up and rushing towards Nixx. He caught me in his arms, twirling me around with a joyful laugh. His cheek pressed against mine, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I experienced a genuine sense of happiness. I couldn't help but smile—something I hadn’t done in a while, and it felt incredibly good.
“Hey there, little sis. Wow, it’s amazing to see how much you’ve grown!” Nixx said, giving me a tight squeeze before gently setting me down. I felt a warmth spread through me, a comforting sensation that had been missing for too long.
“Hey there, buddy! I’ve missed you so much!” Mom chimed in, embracing Nixx tightly as if they’d been apart for ages. Dad and I exchanged a knowing look—Mom was always a bit dramatic. Fierce when necessary, though, she’d fiercely support her family. I got pretty sentimental when it came to us.
Nixx managed to escape Mom’s enthusiastic hug, planting a friendly kiss on her cheek before warmly embracing Dad. The two men shared hearty slaps on the back, their grins wide and genuine.
“Hey! We’re throwing a homecoming for you, Nixx!” Mom said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling.
Nixx’s grin widened. “Yeah, I could smell that roasting pig from a mile away.”
As Nixx filled us in on his recent experiences, I couldn’t help but catch his infectious excitement. He spoke of the training and challenges he’d faced, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.
He was in his first year of a training program designed for future betas and alphas, not as intense as the future alpha training but still demanding. At 21, he had one more year to go before he’d be fully prepared for the role. He and Percival had always been close friends, and I knew this was going to be tough on him.