Chapter 185 A GUILT-FILLED OFFER
Edeline
Listening to his story pulled at my heartstrings. The way Maximus had manipulated him, using his rightful claim to the pack to make him treat his own mate so cruelly—it was more than unfair. He should have stood up to Maximus.
"So, what happened next?" I leaned in closer, completely drawn into his tale. It was clear that everyone had their own story, their own pain.
A small grin tugged at his lips as a memory surfaced. "You know, Tatiana... she was such a sweetheart. But the funny thing is, Maximus, my old man, he just couldn't stand that my firstborn wasn't a boy. Here I was, the Alpha, and my first child was a girl. It didn't sit well with him, not one bit. Back then, I didn't think much of it, but now... now it all makes sense why my firstborn turned out to be a girl," he chuckled, though the sound was laced with bitterness. "I was really involved in Tatiana's life, more than Maximus liked. He kept challenging my authority, putting me in these impossible situations. But then... after I spent a month with Anita and some other people, something terrible happened. Cilla... she took her own life."
His voice grew soft, his eyes haunted as he recalled the memory. "I found her with Anita by her side, crying. Cilla's wrists were cut... it was the most horrifying sight I've ever seen." He paused, the weight of the moment pressing down on both of us. "That’s when everything changed for me. I became completely heartless. I was devastated. Anita blamed me, and I can’t deny that it was partly my fault. But Anita wasn’t innocent in all this either. I had no idea she had been planning to replace Cilla all along. It was my fault that my mate took her own life. The guilt... it ate me alive. I sank into a deep depression, knowing how badly I had mistreated her. I tried to make it up to Tatiana, treated her like a princess, but deep down, I knew it could never really fix what I had done."
He glanced at me, a deep, humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "And to top it all off, turns out our daughter isn’t even mine." He laughed bitterly, shaking his head in disbelief. "The moon must have some grudge against me. I ignored the gift it gave me, and now... now I’m all alone." He shrugged, trying to play it off casually, but the pain was clear in his eyes. He finished off his beer, then looked at me with a skeptical gaze, pausing as if considering his next words.
"I guess killing Ben wasn’t my brightest idea. It really messed up Tatiana. I was just so angry—my best friend betraying me with my mate. But, if I’m being honest... I’m a hypocrite. It’s all so complicated." His tone shifted, sadness creeping into his voice. I couldn’t help but feel for him.
I took a moment, thinking carefully before speaking. "So... you turned her down. Why would you be interested in getting her back now? Is it just about having an heir for your pack?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, genuinely curious about his motives.
He looked at me, his lips pressed tight and his eyes serious. "Initially, I had a different view, but then I realized I had a responsibility toward Cilla. Even though she’s not biologically mine, she always saw me as her father. I can’t keep being unkind forever. But she rejected me... I was too harsh, and now she’s hurt. She’s actually a good person... I just... lost control. She’s made her choice though; she wants to stay with your pack and be with Nixx, her true mate."
As he spoke, I felt my wolf grow agitated. Neither of us was particularly moved by his words.
I watched him down another shot, feeling a frown deepen on my face. "But you wanted me to mate with Percival. Anita... she wanted it too. She’s been scheming this whole time, trying to keep you from knowing that Ben is her father. Now I’m mated to Percival, but she’s carrying his pup! How can I stay with him now, and how is she going to be with my brother when he’s Alpha? I won’t allow it. She might seem decent in your eyes, but she’s done some awful things." My voice trembled as I shook my head, tears threatening to spill.
He looked at me, his expression softening slightly. "That pup in her belly could complicate things for an Alpha bloodline, if it even survives. I understand how you feel, feeling betrayed. I heard about what Anita did—trapping you in that cave with him. If you really want to get away from him, I have an idea. It’s something I’ve been mulling over for a while. After Tatiana turned me down, I started thinking..."
I tilted my head slightly. "Yeah?"
He met my gaze briefly before shifting his eyes to my stomach. "What if I propose that you come back with me? To be my Luna. If you’re pregnant... the pup will have Alpha blood, even if they’re not the firstborn. I’d grant them the right over my pack. My heir. If you truly want to leave Percival, we can work out the details. You wouldn’t have to be my Luna in any capacity beyond the title. We wouldn’t need to share a bed. Edeline, I’m getting older. You remind me so much of Cilla... and if Tatiana won’t let me make amends, I’d rather give all my properties to you and your child. It’s my fault you’re in this mess. Just say yes, and I’ll make it happen. All I ask for is your company." His eyes locked onto mine, his expression earnest.
I sat there, stunned. Did he really just ask me that? Should I consider going with him? The thought of becoming Luna and securing rights for my supposed pup felt overwhelming.
The bond was throbbing, making it even harder to think clearly.
"What if I’m not even pregnant? I don’t know for sure..." I said, my voice laced with skepticism, waiting to see how he would respond.