Chapter 211 REFLECTIONS IN THE ABYSS
Percival
“Things got worse,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “My dad stumbled upon a shrine that Darius had secretly built for Edeline. Can you believe it? Behind a false wall in his closet. It was filled with bits of her underwear and hair. It was never shown to her, just hidden away. I don’t know exactly how it affected his wolf, but the physical side of him was long gone.”
I shook my head, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. “My dad wanted to teach Darius a lesson for a couple of months. Just for mentioning one crime. But he knew that challenges would come because Darius had attacked Edeline. As a father, he wanted to keep him safe, but he also knew Darius’s illness made it impossible. My dad didn’t want his memories tainted for everyone—my mom, Edeline, his buddies. So, he dismissed the idea that Darius was coerced into his actions.”
Mirabelle’s eyes were glued to me, her expression a mix of horror and confusion.
“But little did anyone know, my dad was actually getting back at Darius for what he did to his friend,” I said, my voice growing softer. “He figured that once Darius was done with his punishment, he’d face even more challenges, and death would be a fairer outcome than revealing his secret to everyone. He wanted Darius to leave with some dignity for those who cared about him. But Edeline was persistent. My mom doesn’t know... Only Jack does. Jack made a real effort to keep Edeline from getting involved with Darius.”
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the secrets and the tangled web of lies that had led us to this point.
Mirabelle’s gasp cut through the room, and I watched as tears welled up in her eyes. Her anger seemed to pierce through the haze of my indifference. “I can’t keep this secret,” she said, her voice trembling. “If people don’t know the truth, there may be consequences for taking Darius’s life. That’s really serious!”
I shrugged, taking another sip from my bottle. “That’s why I took care of Darius. When I spotted him, I immediately sensed that Edeline was in trouble. My instincts kicked in, and my wolf attacked him, resulting in a fatal injury. It’s unfortunate that I had to be the one to do it, but he had it coming.”
Mirabelle reached over, taking hold of my hand with a surprising intensity. “You did the moon proud by delivering justice. She’ll make sure to repay you for that. Darius’s secrets need to be revealed, for the sake of the pack and your protection.”
Her words barely registered. I was lost in my own world, focusing on the emptiness and the void left behind by Edeline’s departure. The thought of the pack’s reaction and Alpha Reynold’s potential retribution felt distant and irrelevant compared to the pain I was experiencing. My dad’s actions, his selfishness, and the potential fallout were not what occupied my mind. I was consumed by the loss of Edeline.
“Don’t let Edeline find out. She can’t know,” I whispered, more to myself than to Mirabelle.
Mirabelle shook her head, her expression resolute. “I can’t make any guarantees.”
I felt a pang of regret as I thought about Edeline. I had pushed her away, made her upset, and somehow managed to make her despise me. Now, life felt hollow and meaningless. I was drowning in the realization that my mistakes had led to this point, and it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Mirabelle stood up, her gaze softening as she prepared to leave. “Hey, Percival,” she said, pausing at the door. “Edeline may have left, but it’s not forever. She just needed some time away from all of this… but she needs to know about Darius. I’m going to make things right.” She turned to me with a bittersweet smile. “You gonna be alright?”
I raised my almost empty bottle in a half-hearted gesture, giving her a nod. She gave me one last look before walking out and closing the door behind her.
The silence of the room enveloped me, and I was left alone with my thoughts. The weight of everything that had happened crashed down on me. I had lost everything that mattered—my pup, my brother, and Edeline. The title of the next Alpha seemed irrelevant. The pain of losing Edeline was far more profound. The mate bond we shared felt like a distant memory, an echo of something that was once so close but now seemed impossibly far away.
I was just a nobody, adrift in a sea of regret and sorrow. I couldn’t escape the feeling that I deserved every bit of this pain. I was lost, and the weight of my actions and their consequences pressed heavily on me.
I took another swig from the bottle, letting the fiery burn numb the ache inside. The room seemed colder, emptier. In my solitude, I could only think about my sweetheart and the immense void left by her absence.
I do not deserve anything. I am just a fragile vessel holding an untamed wolf that I can hardly control. I suppose I have brought all of this upon myself.
I guess I just prefer my own company.
Edeline is probably better off without me. But I cannot say the same for myself without her.
A persistent voice in my mind kept nagging at me, never letting me rest.
"You are not really anything special. You do not deserve anything. Hey, do everyone a favor. Take care of yourself before someone else has to do it for you. Edeline does not have any feelings for you and does not see a romantic future with you."
In the haze of my intoxication, I somehow found the strength to rise. My arm hung loosely by my side as I stumbled toward the bathroom, half-awake. My movements were clumsy as I fumbled around, finally finding the light switch. When the light flickered on, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.
Not worth it.
I am not really the dominant type.
I totally deserve everything I got.
I guess I should just accept that I have lost everything.
My adorable little dog. Hey, buddy. Hey, so my brother...
The only person I really cared about was my mate, and I do not think she deserves someone like me.