Chapter 105 TEARS OF DESPAIR
Tatiana
Unlike us, who prioritize blood relations above all else, wolves would go to great lengths to support their mates. They would face any obstacle for their partner, provided it didn’t compromise their family relationships. When a wolf forms a strong bond, their mate becomes their top priority, even above their own family. That’s just the way it was.
If only things were as simple as waiting. He might have had an inkling about why we were together, but he didn’t understand the full extent of the challenges, and I couldn’t find the words to explain them.
“I have to leave,” I said, my voice breaking as I covered my mouth with my hand, tears streaming down my face. I slowly began to move away.
Nixx stood there, his eyes pleading with me to say something, anything.
“I really wish things were different,” I sniffled, my voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if things were different. If I had met you before anyone else, maybe you could have whisked me away to a better place. I would have gladly gone with you. You affect me so deeply, Nixx. I do have feelings for you, but… I just can’t act on them. I need to move on.” The pain in my heart was almost unbearable as I spoke. I could see his heart shattering as I turned to ascend the stairs.
“Please, Tatiana. Don’t let him mark you yet. Just wait. There’s a chance he might not have his rank once I’m done. I apologize… but I’m going to challenge him. I am determined to become the alpha, Tatiana.” His tone was resolute, brimming with confidence. He was desperate to claim that position, and it mattered deeply to him.
I glanced back one last time, but he had already disappeared. The sound of rustling leaves as he walked away seemed to mock me, echoing through the empty space.
I took a deep breath and reentered my room, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, I slid down to the floor. Seated on the cold ground, I cradled my head in my hands as tears streamed down my face, each one a testament to my utter despair. I thought about him, about Percival, Edeline, Aunt Anita, and my father.
I took full responsibility for everything that had happened.
If he dared to challenge Percival for the title, it wouldn’t be until next year. I would already have been marked by then. I wasn’t familiar with the intricacies of how challenges were handled here, but I knew that dire consequences awaited anyone who acted recklessly.
If I were married to Percival, and Nixx defeated him to claim his title, I would have to sever that connection. Nixx would no longer accept me if I allowed Percival to leave his mark on me. I felt like I was losing everything… and potentially my future with the pup.
It seemed Nixx was unable to achieve what he desired.
But what if I could be patient? Was there a way to delay being marked? If I could wait, perhaps there might be a chance to spend more time with Nixx. What if he won?
Yet, I knew my father’s stance. He would never allow me to have a puppy without a distinguishing mark. It was a significant concern, a barrier I couldn’t easily overcome.
As I gently dried my eyes, a sense of unease settled over me. Nixx's seriousness was evident, and I was convinced by the unyielding determination in his voice. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was out of my league.
Maybe it was best to withdraw and avoid causing any more harm to others.
I rose from my seat, determined to clear my mind. I headed to the bathroom for a refreshing shower, hoping to wash away the lingering scent from my encounter with Nixx before Aunt Anita noticed anything.
But as I made my way to the bathroom, a sudden, intense pain shot through my abdomen. The agony was so sharp and overwhelming that I collapsed to my knees, unable to stifle my screams. I clutched my stomach, my eyes widening as I fell to my side. My throat burned from the force of my cries, and tears streamed down my face as the pain surged through me.
"Tatiana! Tatiana, what's wrong!?" Aunt Anita’s voice was filled with alarm as she rushed into the room. She knelt beside me, her eyes reflecting deep concern. But her expression quickly shifted to one of steely resolve, a look that would have terrified anyone, especially a puppy.
As everything around me started to fade to black, I could barely make out her angry words.
"Their connection has been solidified on the wolf side. She has left her mark on him..."
…
Edeline
The room I am currently in can only be described in simple, clear words. It is clean and devoid of color. The sun has already set, painting the darkening sky with a beautiful array of colors. The warm evening light streams through the window, softly illuminating every corner.
The steady hum of machines and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor fill the room. I sit by the hospital bed at Doc’s, keeping a watchful eye on Mirabelle as she sleeps, recovering from the harmful poison she unknowingly ingested.
The poison was intended for lethal purposes.
The doctor confirmed it. They found traces of poison in some herbal tea sachets meant to prevent hot flashes in women.
She had bought those because of me.
Thankfully, she only drank half the cup. As an oracle, she always had to keep her emotions hidden. She did not have a partner to help with that, but she would go through her mating cycle after she transformed. Without those herbs, her gift could be at risk if anything went wrong. It seems like she had a feeling something was coming and decided to open the packaging to drink some, just in case.
But the tea contained blue lotus and wolfsbane, a dangerous mix for wolves. Drinking the entire cup would have been fatal for her... It was tailored specifically for me...