Chapter 74 MOUNTAINSIDE
Edeline
I ran through the forest, up the mountainside, pushing myself to the limit. I kept her from chasing the rabbits she so desperately wanted to pursue. Her voice rang out, mirroring my sadness as she sprinted. “I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand,” she shouted, clearly frustrated with my control over her... denying her the joy of an unreciprocated connection.
I pushed on until we reached a small clearing overlooking the lake. There, I shifted back into my human form. I stood alone, vulnerable, without clothes or comfort, while tears blurred my vision.
I couldn’t hold back the tears. My body was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions—sadness, regret, shame, and humiliation. The pain I thought I had conquered came rushing back, tearing through my heart. The shattered pieces quivered inside me...
I thought about escaping to a place where I could never be found again.
Percival’s wolf prowled in my mind, searching for my wolf’s desires. It filled me with a deep unease. I stumbled forward, vomiting onto the vibrant clovers below before collapsing onto my back, exhausted and despairing. I looked up at the sky, tears streaming down my face. I trembled, letting out intermittent sobs.
I felt a profound sense of loss.
I need to figure out my will.
Only half of it, but still a significant portion. Darius was right. If she had that pup, he would be with Tatiana. What other option did he have? Maybe he wouldn’t, considering the chaos unfolding in the pack tonight. But I didn’t want to be tied to him.
I wanted control over my decisions.
Watching him approach her, gently caressing her growing belly, was overwhelming. It devastated me, consuming me entirely. And now, look at the consequences.
The wolf always gets what it wants.
I cried out in despair, my chest shaking with every sob.
A hand on my foot startled me, a familiar sensation. I jumped upright, fear gripping me in my current state. Darius looked deeply into my eyes, his expression filled with sorrow. There was a deep understanding in those piercing azure eyes. He stayed by my side as I lay there, vulnerable and in tears. Without a word, he gently lifted my arms and positioned me on his lap, cradling me. His embrace was tight, his calloused hand soothing my skin as I sought comfort in him. He calmed my spirit.
"Quiet, everything will be fine, Edeline."
He held me until my tears stopped. As I looked at him, I noticed the tension in his jaw. His touch was gentle, but his face showed a stern, furious expression. His eyes, completely dilated and as black as coal, revealed his intense anger. His wolf nature was surfacing, his gaze fixed on me.
"Why are you upset?" I croaked.
He shook his head, continuing to stroke my skin delicately. "I’m not upset with you. It’s him I’m upset with."
"It was the wolf, Darius. Please don’t be angry with Percival. The wolves act on instinct due to the strong mate bond between them. They don’t think about their actions. Also, I’m nearing my heat, which might affect your judgment as well," I tried to explain.
His intense gaze was fixed on me, his nostrils flaring. "My wolf strongly dislikes his wolf. I strongly dislike his wolf. He should have been able to control it. As an alpha, he should have handled the situation better. While I understand your heat may have played a role, his actions only made things worse."
His words took me by surprise. He was right... As Alpha, he had the ability to command his wolf. He had four years on me—21 years old, with that much experience. He should have managed the situation.
He let this happen without intervening.
But being Alpha... His mate is near her heat. He couldn’t control it completely. I get that, but I wasn’t up for arguing with him.
"How can I get rid of it?" I murmured quietly.
He shook his head solemnly, a lock of his dark hair falling into his eye. "Unless someone else claims ownership over your skin and wolf side, or unless he claims ownership over someone else, it will remain." His eyes, now a deep blue, locked onto mine with a profound intensity. I could see the contemplation etched deeply in his gaze, reflecting the weight of his words.
"Would you like to put on some clothes?" He noticed my shivering, unclothed form pressed against him.
I nodded, my expression serious. The chill was seeping through me, making me shiver uncontrollably.
With a somber look, he handed me a coral-colored dress and a pair of black lace thongs. His hands were slightly unsteady, betraying his calm exterior. I looked up at him, my eyes wide and my lips parted in surprise.
A faint, almost weary smile touched his lips as he rolled his eyes. "I noticed you left some things behind when you moved out of the packhouse. Thought it’d be important for you to have them now."
"Thank you, D." My voice was soft, carrying a mix of gratitude and weariness.
He helped me find my balance as I struggled against my fatigue, his support firm yet gentle. He knelt down and took the panties from my hands. "Please hold onto my shoulders," he instructed, his voice steady but kind.
I struggled to find words as he carefully held the panties out, helping me step into them. The intimate gesture made my cheeks flush.
Gripping his shoulders for support, I slid one leg into the opening, then the other. He lifted the panties up my thighs, his hands trembling just a little as he guided them to my hips. I noticed him inhale deeply, as if trying to absorb my essence. It made me blush further, but I understood—it was a natural reaction when someone was so close.
Standing tall, he took the dress and looked at me with a determined expression. "Arms up," he said firmly.
I complied, raising my arms. His gaze lingered briefly on my chest before he bit his lip and gently slipped the dress over my head, smoothing it down to mid-thigh.
"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for your help. For always being there."