Chapter 62 PRETTY WILD
Edeline
The sun was shining on my face, and birds were cheerfully chirping outside my window. Their melody whisked me away to a tranquil meadow, bursting with colorful wildflowers and the fresh breeze of an early spring day—even though spring was still a few seasons off. I basked in the warmth of the sun, letting my mind drift through daydreams.
"That’s pretty wild. Easygoing."
That’s the way I’d always imagined myself: a laid-back seventeen-year-old she-wolf with no worries.
But right now, I was far from that ideal. From the start, this friendship had cast a shadow over me. The nights spent sobbing in my room at the pack house... I’d skip showers, just so I could lounge in bed and drown in my own misery.
But that chapter of my life was over. This was a fresh start. I had some old memories that could turn into a mess, but I was determined to keep them in check.
Once Nixx left for his mission, I decided it was the perfect time to grab some breakfast before taking a shower and figuring out my next move. Since Percival was nowhere in sight, I figured I’d write him a letter and leave it in our spot in the tree house. I planned to check it daily until I got a reply. Not knowing the answers to my questions was driving me nuts. I mean, seriously. I was anxious and nervous, constantly biting my nails because I had no clue what was really going on. I knew how I was supposed to feel—totally get that. Percival and Tatiana were like night and day, completely opposite. All I wanted were some honest answers.
My heart felt steady, at least for now. Still, there was this nagging feeling that someone, especially Tatiana, was up to something. It twisted my stomach into knots. Why was she so certain Percival would choose her? He needed to know about this too. It’s one thing to lie, but turning it into a game? That’s messed up.
I was lost in thought. Could she really be that manipulative?
Is it even possible?
So, today, I actually took the time to dry and straighten my hair. It had been a while since I’d done that. I added a touch of makeup and slipped into a lovely black and floral sun dress that hugged my curves just right. I paired it with black flip-flops and let my locket dangle over my dress, resting just above my breastbone.
I wanted to dress up a bit today.
I felt a sudden surge of energy, maybe because my stomach wasn’t churning with nerves and my heart wasn’t on the verge of breaking. For the first time in a while, it felt like everything might be okay.
I sat at my vanity, feeling like a doll dressed up for a special occasion. My fingers traced the polished wooden surface as I wrote a letter to Percival, making sure to include every detail Nixx had shared with me. Even though Nixx hadn’t told me to keep it a secret, I couldn’t shake the feeling I might be letting my brother down. He’d confided in me, trusting I’d keep his secrets safe. But Percival needed to know, just in case Tatiana had any hidden agendas.
I reminded myself that, despite my feelings, Percival was involved with my friend. Even if I wasn’t into him at the moment, the situation needed careful handling.
Without giving it much thought, I ended the letter with a simple instruction for Percival to destroy it once he’d read it. I didn’t want this information floating around where someone could stumble upon it. Not yet, anyway. If Nixx found out I’d spilled the beans, I’d be in serious trouble. From his perspective, I had no intention of contacting Percival.
I sealed the letter in a crisp envelope, using the special stationery I’d been saving for just such an occasion. I slipped it into the pocket of my dress, the weight of my secret pressing down on me.
Feeling a bit drained but determined to get out of the house, I quickly drank a glass of sweet tea for a caffeine boost. I headed towards the pack house, hoping to find Darius. He’d been acting strange last night and had mentioned wanting to talk. I was puzzled by his odd behavior until he noticed the necklace. It was clear he had questions, and I felt a pang of regret for not thinking he might have already seen it. The trick I’d used to mask the scent hadn’t quite worked. I had this uneasy feeling that he knew more than he let on.
So, I casually pulled the necklace off and tucked it into my pocket along with the letter that felt like a burden. There was no point in upsetting Darius more; he clearly didn’t like seeing me involved with Z. He was just looking out for me, trying to protect me, but I needed him to trust my judgment.
Outside, the warmth I’d expected had vanished. The sun, once bright, was now hidden behind thick gray clouds, and a gentle breeze replaced the sun’s earlier warmth. I smiled as I walked, feeling the wind tousling my straight hair. It’s funny how even the smallest things can lift your spirits.
When I arrived at the pack house, I strolled through the front door, which was always left open. The foyer was empty—typical for a place where wolves often gathered to grab a bite or watch TV. Today wasn’t one of those days for me.
I made my way around the den, heading up the stairs to the third floor. Without a second thought, I went straight to Darius's room. But when I got there, I couldn’t catch a whiff of his scent. Not even a trace.
Heading back downstairs, I saw a few pack members had come in through the front. I checked with the other wolves to see if they’d seen him. The female wolves were thrilled to see me, pressing their cheeks against mine in a warm greeting. My wolf was practically glowing with gratitude. We had a bunch of new ladies on our team, all eager to become the future Luna’s esteemed Tatianas. They knew I had been through a lot, and it wasn’t right. Still, no one had seen Darius.