Chapter 102 RIGHT DECISION
Edeline
My thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind, spinning and colliding in my mind, leaving me disoriented. Above, the sky, once a stunning overcast, turned completely black, as if the world itself was mirroring my inner turmoil.
I surrendered to the enveloping darkness, letting it consume me as I embraced the numbness it offered.
...
Tatiana
I couldn't shake the overwhelming emotion gnawing at me. It felt like my wolf was at odds with me, existing on opposite ends of a spectrum of dark and light. She despised me, and the rift between us seemed to grow with each passing moment.
We were pregnant with a puppy, one whose lineage wasn’t tied to our partner. My wolf, typically so nurturing, was now filled with frustration. She felt betrayed, as though our friend, Nixx, had been wrenched away from us. The contrast between her nurturing instinct and her anger was tearing me apart.
The sound of Aunt Anita's voice, laced with concern, broke through my spiraling thoughts. "Tatiana. Are you okay?" Her gaze was intense as she studied my swollen belly, unable to ignore the truth any longer. I glanced down and saw that my stomach had indeed become quite large. The pain from my broken arm had lessened, thanks to the healing influence of the little puppy growing inside me.
"I'm fine, Aunt Anita," I said, trying to sound normal. But her scrutinizing eyes suggested she wasn’t convinced by my words.
My eyes returned to the crackling fire, watching as the embers gracefully drifted up the chimney. I longed for a change, for things to be different, as I swayed gently in the cozy den of our cabin.
"It’s for the best, darling. Believe me, you’re making the right decision," she said with a comforting smile, her hand gently brushing over mine.
Aunt Anita was always trying to offer encouragement, to make me feel better about everything. Her intentions were good, but it wasn’t just me benefiting from what had happened. I watched her as she moved back to the kitchen table, where open books were scattered across its surface. Gripping the pestle firmly, she ground more herbs into the mortar. I found myself humming a tune my mother’s sister used to sing to me when I was a child.
Aunt Anita had always been blessed with gifts from the moon. She was among the most beautiful of the wolves, admired by many throughout her life. Yet, she chose not to form a romantic bond, dedicating herself instead to her work. But her methods had darkened over time. Her once-bright hazel eyes had turned a deep, shadowy brown when she decided to stop working in favor of the moon goddess.
She tried to convince me that this path was the right one, that the experiences I was going through were part of a greater plan. But I couldn’t agree with her.
I never intended to become this wolf. This wolf who chases after the mates of other females, engaging in behavior that led to my broken arm. That’s not who I am.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Aunt Anita, with a sly grin, set aside her mortar and pestle and went to answer it. Standing in the doorway was a wolf whose expression was blank, emotionless.
"Oh, look who’s here! My dear soldier, come on in," Aunt Anita greeted with a playful wink, ushering the bewildered wolf into the room. I was stunned. She had really crossed the line this time.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there. I felt overwhelmed by everything that had happened. The harm caused by the wolves had deeply affected me. I was struggling with a strong dislike for myself.
I rose from the worn wooden rocker and made my way to the back bedroom, which was mine. As I passed the herbs and flowers drying from the rafters, I couldn’t help but think about how dangerous they might be for a wolf if consumed.
Entering my room, I noticed the seafoam green and purple color scheme. It was supposed to add a touch of serenity, but all I felt was a heavy shadow of melancholy. Even though Percival had tried hard to make sure I had everything I needed and liked, I just couldn’t find it amusing. My thoughts wandered to the kiss we shared at the cliffs—a lackluster kiss that hadn’t sparked any real passion. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
We used to be friends, and now we found ourselves here.
Lately, I felt like I was letting my friends down.
Wow, I can’t believe I missed that! How did I not see it?
When Edeline saw us at the cliffs—her favorite spot, apparently—Percival had been so emotional. He talked about someone important to him, and I sensed that his feelings for me weren’t genuine. But then, realizing Edeline’s deep animosity towards me—she even wished for my demise—I felt a sharp pang of pain. Edeline was someone I would have loved to befriend, but things had changed so much. Now, I kept a low profile. Aunt Anita was furious when she learned about Edeline’s attack on me after my teasing. I deserved that. Aunt Anita now understood that giving Edeline space was the best course of action. She was a powerful and eccentric wolf, doing everything to keep her partner close. Anyway, back to the wolf side—her skin seemed to have a strong aversion to me.
My pup was completely safe.
I glanced down and smiled, feeling the gentle movement from within me. He was active, and I could almost imagine him stretching and wriggling. “Hey there, my alpha pup!” I whispered.
“Mommy will always love you, no matter what. There may be times when you feel angry with me for revealing the truth, but I hope you can forgive me. I love you,” I said, tears streaming down my face and landing on the growing bump beneath my shirt.
That’s when I noticed a faint, familiar scent in the air. It sent a shiver down my spine and gave me an instant rush of excitement. The puppy seemed to grow more energetic whenever he was close to it.