Chapter 117 MIND-CONTROLLED AGGRESSION
Edeline
It hurt deeply that my closest friend would do something like that to me. I glanced down at the blue hospital gown that covered me, remembering how Darius had torn my clothes off. A wave of revulsion washed over me, and I could almost feel his warm breath on my neck again.
I just wanted to freshen up, to wash away any trace of his presence on my skin. My own blood... from the dirt and grime he left behind...
My voice wavered as I spoke, "It wouldn't make sense if he knew she made it. He knows how she feels about me... he didn’t want to kill me. He wanted to make me his. Not take me out of the equation..." I pondered out loud, the words heavy with uncertainty.
I couldn't make sense of it. Unless... Darius was completely unaware of his actions, maybe influenced by someone or something. That would explain a lot...
I perched on Mirabelle's bed, my legs swinging over the edge as a question popped into my mind. "Hey, Mirabelle... do you know if there are any herbs that can affect someone's thinking? Like, making them act like mindless zombies, just doing whatever the person in control wants?" I tilted my head, my gaze locked onto hers, lost in thought.
Mirabelle pondered for a moment, her lips pursed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You know," she began slowly, her voice still hoarse, "there's this poisonous plant called the Red Lockheed, also known as Dead Man Walking. It has some similar effects to what you described, but the aggression Darius had couldn’t have been caused by that." She offered a tight smile as she reached for her ice water.
I was used to not having all the answers... but right now, all I wanted was to uncover every hidden secret and expose those who had betrayed me and the people I care about. Even if it was someone I cared about, just like my mom.
Suddenly, Mirabelle sat up, her gaze turning intense, fixed on something far away. Her grip on my arm tightened, her nails digging into my flesh. I winced, letting out a sharp breath of pain, but she showed no sign of letting go. It was as if she was under some strange influence, receiving messages from the moon.
Her hold finally relaxed, and her gaze returned to its usual vibrant green hue, focusing on me.
"Hey, Anita is planning to go for a run today, right after her meeting with Alpha William. Can you please stop her?" she insisted, pushing me off the bed with urgency. I was taken aback, my lips parting in surprise. I could feel adrenaline rushing through my veins.
I didn’t need to be told twice!
Without saying anything else, I slowly dragged myself out of bed, my body heavy with exhaustion. The cold tiles sent a shiver through me as my feet made contact, and I winced, my limbs feeling like they were made of jello after spending the whole day in bed.
As I began to move, the sluggishness in my legs started to fade, replaced by a tingling sensation as blood circulated through muscles that had been idle for too long. I quickened my pace, eager to shake off the stiffness, and found myself walking down the hallway toward the lobby. Gerald and Benny, Alpha William's Gamma's, were lounging there, engrossed in whatever they were reading. I barely acknowledged them, my mind focused on getting to the front door of the clinic. I really hoped I wasn’t running late.
Just as I was about to reach the door, both men suddenly appeared in front of me with a speed that took me by surprise. It was almost like my heightened senses had dulled, leaving me feeling like an ordinary human, my wolf side still groggy from the effects of the cocktail.
I frowned, tilting my head in confusion as they blocked my way out.
Benny, always the more cheerful of the two, gave me a sheepish grin. He was close with my dad and Gerald, and we were all around the same age. I couldn’t help but wonder what they were up to. Surely, they knew everything I had been through these past few months.
"Hey, Edeline," Benny said, his tone cautious. "We’ve been told not to let you leave until the Doc gives the green light. Alpha William’s orders." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, wincing a little as if he expected me to argue. Benny was built like a linebacker, but his demeanor right now was anything but tough.
My frown deepened as I planted my hands on my hips, irritation bubbling up. "Alpha William asked if I was feeling okay, and I am," I replied, letting a bit of my attitude slip through.
Gerald, ever the stoic, barely glanced at me. "Edeline, he really wants you to stay here," he said simply, like it was a done deal.
I narrowed my eyes at them, taking a small step back. There had been some commotion at the pack house, and it was clear the Alpha was worried I might interfere. I just nodded, forcing a fake smile. "Alright, I guess I’ll hang around until the doctor shows up." With a casual shrug, I turned and walked back to the room, my steps deliberately slow. As soon as I got inside, I couldn’t hold back my excitement and zipped past Mirabelle, who looked amused.
With a quiet determination, I unlocked the window and pushed it open. I swung one leg outside, perching on the sill, and with a quick, graceful movement, I dropped to the ground, landing softly.
"Edeline, what are you doing!?" Mirabelle whispered, her voice filled with surprise.
I looked up at her from outside, a grin spreading across my face as the clouds above began to gather, dark and ominous. "Making my escape. If Alpha’s got guards on me, that can only mean one thing—something’s going down, and he doesn’t want me involved." I winked playfully, and her laughter echoed in the air, light and infectious.