Chapter 109 FAMILY JUDGEMENT
Percival
She lay in the hospital bed, her hair a captivating blend of dark brown with highlights of chestnut and caramel. It was a beautiful combination of vibrant colors. Her gorgeous waves cascaded gently around her serene figure, creating a striking contrast to the sterile surroundings of the hospital room.
I marveled at her hair, admiring its beauty. I could not resist the urge to touch it. I gently ran my fingers through her soft strands, noting how her usually sun-kissed complexion had become pale from blood loss. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her once rosy, full lips now appeared dry and colorless.
I longed for the softness of her lips against mine, but that was not possible right now.
Our connection felt like being submerged in the vastness of the ocean, where you experience a sense of weightlessness and gentle waves caress your skin. She had always had a profound impact on me, and now, with our wolves united, it felt even more intense.
I tried to communicate with her wolf, but there was no response. Her brother had used herbs to force her wolf into a deep sleep, leaving her vulnerable. It was unacceptable to treat a werewolf this way. If I had not arrived in time, I shuddered to think of the consequences.
Anger surged through me as thoughts of Darius took over. He was supposed to be my brother, yet he tried to exploit my friend, attempting to claim and bond with her even though he had a mate elsewhere. He had always coveted what I had.
Darius was no longer my brother.
Nixx was like a brother to me, much more than Darius could ever be.
But Darius would have to wait. Right now, my focus needed to be on Edeline.
It hurt me deeply when she saw me kiss Tatiana. I was completely at a loss about why I did it. I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, an innocent kiss on the lips, but there was no emotional connection behind it. I could not recall what drove me to act this way.
The pain in Edeline's eyes was heart-wrenching. It cut me deeply, and I would always feel terrible for causing her such hurt. Watching her suffer was incredibly difficult. Now, with the added ability to sense the emotions of her wolf, things felt even more intense.
I reflected on the letters she had left behind. They were filled with pain, her words declaring that she no longer wanted me. I was forced into a situation with Tatiana against my will. My heart belonged to Edeline, and it always would. I just wished she could understand that.
I gently placed my hand under Edeline's, savoring the feel of her smooth skin. An electric current seemed to flow through me, bringing a sense of comfort and easing my tumultuous emotions. As I held her hand, a myriad of feelings washed over me.
“Percival?”
I glanced over and saw Nixx standing in the doorway, flanked by my dad, Beta Jack, and Edeline's father. Jack's gaze fell on Edeline with a look of vulnerability in his green eyes. Each member of her family had green eyes, but hers were the most striking. They had a vibrant sparkle, like the lush green of clovers with golden flecks dancing around the center.
"Dad. Beta Jack. Nixx," I greeted them, moving closer with a mix of anticipation and unease, eager to be near Edeline again. I tightened my jaw, bracing myself for the conversation to come.
“What will happen to Darius?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. I silently challenged my dad to give us the full truth. I hoped he would not be too lenient. Such behavior demanded a punishment fitting the severity of the crime, as dictated by the partner’s wishes.
Yet, with our union not yet complete, I had no real influence.
Dad sighed, his tired eyes fixed on Edeline’s still form. “Your brother is currently confined in one of the cellars for two weeks. After that, he will be tethered to the dog house and forced to remain in wolf form for a month. It seems that humiliation might be a more effective punishment for him than physical harm. However, since you are not fully mated to Edeline, you do not have the authority to decide his fate. I trust that you and Jack find this arrangement fair,” he said, glancing at Jack, who nodded in agreement.
“I disagree,” Nixx said, his face contorted with anger as he glared at my dad. “You weren’t there. He nearly forced himself on her and assaulted her. There were deep cuts on her skin... blood everywhere,” Nixx’s voice was charged with intense fury. I felt that same anger bubbling up inside me. Darius deserved a harsher punishment. At least Nixx and I were united in our feelings on this.
I stood beside Nixx, nodding in agreement. “On the night of the party, he tried to exploit her. She told me about it. He has been harassing her for quite a while.” I frowned, feeling a deep sense of injustice.
“What!?” Beta Jack exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and fury. “Darius tried to exploit my daughter!? I want Nixx to confront him once his punishment is over. Being chained up for a month is too lenient. I want him to suffer. He nearly violated my daughter!” He slammed his hand on the metal table, his wolf’s eyes glaring at us, fiercely protective of his daughter.
Nixx let out a sinister chuckle. “I’m willing to agree to that.”
With a nod of agreement, I decided to add my own demand. “I also want to confront him.” My voice was steady but filled with resolve. “He hurt my partner. He won’t get away without losing more than just his freedom.” My fists clenched at my sides, my anger a fiery storm within me.
Dad cast a stern look at both Nixx and me. "No. He is still your brother, so you cannot just kill him. What he did to Edeline is unacceptable, but we are not like Dark Moon. We are not monsters. After a few weeks in the cellar, he will have the option of either being chained for a month or fighting challengers. He will make that choice. Whatever happens after that is beyond my control. If either of you fights him without cause, I will have to punish you. So if you plan to do it, he needs to attack you first. That is all I will say on this matter. I do not want either of you in trouble—literally," he said firmly, and we bowed our heads in acknowledgment. Nixx, however, remained fixed in his gaze at my father, his expression torn and troubled.