Chapter 12 A FATHER’S COMFORT
Edeline
Confidently, I started towards Darius’s scent, only to be stopped by my dad’s hand—a soft, comforting warmth on my shoulder.
“Hey, Edeline. Hold up. We need to talk,” he said, his voice cracking as he whispered. I could sense the pain he felt on my behalf, almost palpable. With a nod, I followed him out into the lobby and waited by the front door.
I had a feeling this conversation was coming. I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear what he had to say.
Percival was deeply embarrassed by his actions. I could tell he wasn’t upset with me, though. He felt genuinely bad for me. This wasn’t something any guy would want for any female wolf.
I stood near Doc's practice, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as the evening breeze brushed past me, causing a shiver to run across my skin. The sun was sinking behind the trees, casting long shadows and bathing the sky in hues of orange and pink. The scent of him, the one that used to bring me comfort when I was younger, reached me before I even saw him. It was now intermingled with the various scents of my friends.
“Edeline,” his voice rumbled, rough yet familiar. I looked up, and there they were—his green eyes, filled with an unmistakable sorrow.
Without another word, he pulled me into a hug. The gesture caught me off guard. His arms wrapped around my petite frame, his warmth enveloping me as my head rested against his chest. At 5'6", I felt small next to him, my dad towering at 6'3". He stood out among everyone in the pack, except for Alpha William.
Tears began to flow uncontrollably again. I had promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore today, but the sight of my dad—his heart breaking over his only female pup—was too much. It hurt deeply, losing my mate because of a stupid mistake.
I buried my face in his shirt, sobbing quietly as he held me tightly, his embrace unyielding.
“Edeline, I’m really sorry about everything that’s going on. It’s not fair to you, and I feel so powerless because I can’t protect you from this. But please don’t shut us out. It’s not your fault, and nobody blames you. The blame lies with Percival, though I can’t really blame him either. As much as I want to tear him apart, I can’t. He made a mistake, and nobody is truly at fault here. I understand the situation; he didn’t know about Tatiana’s heat or that you were his mate. It’s a tough situation for all of us, but I know you’re hurting.” He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head. His jaw clenched as he struggled to hold back his own wolf, which longed to comfort me.
I was always my dad’s little buddy.
He finally relaxed his hold, allowing me to step back and wipe the tears from my eyes. His eyes were red-rimmed, though no tears fell. My dad didn’t shed tears, even though the weight of his emotions was clearly bearing down on him. He managed to control his own grief just in time.
“What am I supposed to do?” I asked silently, my voice barely a whisper. I was desperate for some guidance. Was there anything that could help me escape this feeling of being trapped?
He shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “I don’t know, baby. I wish I could give you some answers. When William and I were young, we used to dream about what it would be like when we found our mates. We imagined having pups and hoped that one of them would find their own mates. We were always best friends, Edeline. I thought you and Darius might have a chance. You two were inseparable from a young age. But then I’d see the way you and Percival would look at each other—those stolen glances. No one can truly predict their mate before both have shifted, but it seems you often find yourself liking that person long before you really know. I was never quite sure, and neither was William. And now, with everything that’s happened…” His voice trailed off, a deep sigh escaping him. “He feels awful. Bitter that this she-wolf is carrying his bloodline and isn’t his son’s mate. Bitter that you have to go through this when you’re like a child to him as well. He doesn’t want this any more than I do, but Percival has to do the right thing and wait it out. Tatiana’s father demanded it. He might not have a pack as strong as ours, but he’s still an alpha, and we must abide by the laws of wolves.” He gently rubbed my arms as he spoke, trying to offer comfort. I simply nodded, brushing away a stray tear.
“You know, it’s possible that all this will eventually fade away. We just need to be patient. The bond between you two is something the moon won’t ignore. We need to wait and see,” he said, his words meant to soothe. I tried to focus, but my mind wandered to a different reality—a life without her, or if I were with Darius. Usually, in a mated pair, the guy was a few years older, though sometimes they were the same age. That was a rare occurrence.
I forced a small grin to ease the mood. I’d get through this with my family’s support. I was done hiding.
“Hey, Dad, don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” I said, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
He managed a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m heading back home to check on your mum. Oh, and your brother is coming home tomorrow!”
My spirits lifted at the news. I could sense my wolf’s excitement at the thought of her brother’s return. Nixx had been away at a pack down south, learning new skills for the future beta position. Though they’d all have to compete for it, our family had a long history of Betas. They might not have defeated him, but they would certainly give it their best shot.