Chapter 72 THE WRONG SIDE
Edeline
"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice tight with emotion, meeting their warm gazes.
As they drifted back to the party, I was seized by an intense urge to be alone. I needed to find a place where I could let the storm of emotions inside me break free, where fear and sorrow—my constant companions—could consume me without restraint.
"Edeline, this isn’t the time or place for this," Mirabelle’s intense gaze bore into mine. "You need to control your emotions. Turn all that pain and fear into something else—something stronger. Show that you’re the superior wolf between Percival and that sorceress." Her hand smoothed the fur on my arm, her gaze pulling me back from the brink of panic.
I exhaled slowly, draining the rest of the champagne as Mirabelle gave me a gentle smile. "That’s my girl."
A sudden chill ran down my spine, settling deep in my lower body. But it was a familiar sensation, one I knew all too well.
As I turned, my eyes met Percival’s intense gaze. He seemed to study every inch of me, his focus eventually landing on the necklace I wore—the charm hidden beneath the neckline of my dress. I offered him a brief, melancholy smile before looking away, unable to ignore the thought of the pup growing in Tatiana’s swollen belly.
"Hey, Edeline... Mirabelle! I'm delighted to see you've returned!" Darius's voice broke my concentration as he approached us with confidence, embracing Mirabelle in a warm hug. Mirabelle's laughter rang out, a joyful sound that momentarily lightened the air between them. As they parted, she placed her hand gently on his cheek, her eyes scrutinizing him with a seriousness that hadn’t been there before. Her expression shifted, the smile fading as her eyes darkened briefly, returning to their usual bright green.
"Darius, choose the wrong side, and you will face dire consequences," she said abruptly, leaving him startled. His brows knitted together in concern.
"What?" His voice was laced with confusion as he looked at her, trying to make sense of her words. I pursed my lips, my eyes searching his face for any sign of understanding.
Mirabelle let out a long exhale. "I had a vision... what the moon showed me. That's all I can tell you. Excuse me." Without waiting for a response, she quickly walked away, her departure filled with a sense of urgency. The sudden change in her demeanor left me with a sinking feeling, worried that she had seen something dreadful in his future.
"Well, that was unexpected. Not exactly the welcome I was hoping for," Darius chuckled, pulling me into a side hug.
"Are you doing okay?" His gaze traveled over my face before landing on the golden chain of my locket. His nostrils flared slightly, but he kept his composure. Still, I could sense his dissatisfaction.
I bit down hard on my bottom lip, the sharp pain grounding me as my attention shifted back to the witch. "Yes, I suppose that’s true. The witch seems to have a persistent gaze fixed on me."
"Which one?" he asked, his hand resting lightly on my lower back.
His eyes locked onto the intense, dark gaze of the healer, Tatiana’s aunt. She continued to stare, even as I caught her in the act. Instead of looking away, she turned her attention to Darius, a gentle smile gracing her lovely features. Despite her eerie aura, there was no denying her beauty.
Darius leaned in, his voice low in my ear. "She’s a healer, not a witch. But I agree, there’s something... unsettling about her." His hand gently massaged my lower back, a comforting gesture that contrasted with the unease brewing inside me.
"I have some concerns about her," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Before Darius could respond, Tatiana's voice cut through the air. "Oh my! I just felt a kick!" Her smile was bright as she looked around at the other wolves, but their expressions were cold, indifferent. Realizing her joy was unwelcome, she quickly suppressed it, her posture wilting as she cast nervous glances at the others who paid her no mind. The healer greeted her with a warm smile, placing a hand on her belly. Tatiana smiled back, grateful, as she felt the gentle movement of life within her womb.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Percival passing by, his pace brisk. He didn’t stop, didn’t look back. But someone else was moving toward her with a sense of urgency.
No... I’m sorry, but that’s not right.
Darius’s grip on my side tightened, keeping me close. He understood the weight of what I was about to witness, even if I didn’t yet.
Percival paused, his expression solemn as he looked at Tatiana with a mix of awe and affection. She guided his hand gently to her belly, her pride evident in the smile that graced her face. I watched the heart-wrenching scene unfold, Percival kneeling and placing both hands on her stomach, his eyes wide with astonishment.
The sight was too much to bear.
Turning away from Darius, I walked off, my gaze falling upon other males who whispered to each other with hostility, their stern looks directed at me. The women, too, regarded me with sadness. The weight of the moment was overwhelming, a sinking feeling settling deep in my chest. My stomach tightened into a familiar knot as a wave of emotions surged within me.
My inner wolf's rage flared, the desire to shatter her bones nearly consuming me. It was a struggle to control the ferocious fury that surged through me. My heart raced, pounding painfully in my chest, while a sharp sensation pricked at my nose. I fought back tears, feeling as though my heart might give way to the crushing weight of his broken promises and the pain he had caused.
Overwhelmed, I dropped to my knees, my emotions a maelstrom of agony. My wolf, sensing the turmoil, retreated deep within our consciousness, unable to withstand the storm that raged inside me.
A powerful roar erupted from my throat, raw and primal. My wolf's eyes pierced through my skull, taking in the startled gazes of the other wolves.