Chapter 124 CONFESSIONS IN THE DARK
Edeline
Feelings of guilt and sadness surged within me. I was growing increasingly frustrated. I couldn’t blame Darius entirely; it was clear he was tormented by his actions. But looking at the broader picture...
"Darius, you need to express your emotions and address what’s happened. Remember, someone else manipulated you. I’m searching for answers and support, and I believe you can give me that. Let’s discuss everything openly. If you feel remorse, share it with me." I pleaded with him to be honest, to reveal the truth. He wanted to express his frustration, and I needed to understand it.
"Anita used you to get to me. I know that. I am not naive. I refuse to believe you would betray me like this. Show your anger! Make her face the consequences! Share your truth with me! Right now!" I demanded, my tone firm and unwavering.
He looked up at me, his blue eyes filled with a glimmer of hope, and shifted against the stone wall to face me. His expression was one of resolute determination. "You still believe in me, even after everything?" His voice carried a hint of disbelief.
I adjusted my position to sit cross-legged, as my legs had started to feel numb from squatting earlier. I mentally prepared myself. Being here, confronting this, was no small feat.
Looking into Darius’s eyes, I expressed my belief in him. I understood that our relationship was not romantic and that his actions were influenced by someone else. I trusted that he would never intentionally harm me, especially given our past friendship. I pleaded with him to help me find peace and to stop this situation from haunting my dreams. Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke from the heart. As the sun set, I felt an overwhelming fear, almost as if I were experiencing early signs of PTSD. I felt emotionally detached and had no desire to face Darius in the menacing way I had been picturing him—like a creature with golden eyes.
Darius could no longer contain his emotions. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to wipe them away, wincing in pain. His gaze locked onto mine with a fierce intensity. "You’re mistaken, Edeline... I… I did start to have feelings for you..." He lowered his eyes to his bare feet, hugging his legs tightly as he curled up.
Did he truly love me? Was it real? The question hung in the air, unanswered.
"But… how?" I asked, feeling a mix of confusion and surprise. Darius's confession left me puzzled. Had I really been that oblivious? I had always thought he was just being protective.
Darius looked a bit self-conscious as he spoke. "After Percival came home and I saw you two together, I felt a surge of anger. It was hard to keep my emotions in check after seeing how he treated you. Later, when Tatiana saw me at Doc’s after the fight with Percival, she made this unexpected observation. She said that I was in love with you, insisting she could see it. At first, I dismissed it as nonsense, but the more I thought about it, the more I started to question her words." His gaze locked with mine, vulnerable. "I began to imagine what it would be like if our lips ever met. I must admit, the idea started to appeal to me. Soon after, thoughts of you began flooding my mind." He stared at the stone wall, absentmindedly picking at it with his nail.
Was it possible that Darius truly loved me, without even realizing it until now?
"How long?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Darius sighed. "I suppose indefinitely. It’s only recently dawned on me. You haven’t had much experience with dating or interacting with other guys besides me, so I didn’t feel any jealousy. I was completely unaware until Tatiana pointed it out. And then, when Percival gave you that necklace… I felt this intense frustration and maybe even jealousy. Tatiana told me how much she cherished Percival and how she needed my help to get him. She even suggested that I might have a chance with you if I helped her. I found her suggestion amusing, but it was clear she was serious. I was surprised, but I declined to assist her."
He glanced up at me, pleading for my understanding. "I refused, Edeline. After that evening on your back steps, I was feeling a mix of frustration and confusion about my emotions, especially since Tatiana had asked me to sabotage any possibility between you and Percival. Although I value our relationship, I just wanted you to be happy. I would never have accepted that from you. I recognized right away that Tatiana's request was inappropriate, so I firmly turned her down."
I trusted his words. Our pack did indeed place a high value on mates, more so than others. While some packs might wait for their mate, they often sought another if they felt the original mate was weak. The rejected mate would then have to find another partner, but it never compared to the bond with a true mate. In rare cases, if a rejected wolf still desperately yearned for their mate, the moon might grant them another chance. But I had never known anyone to experience this firsthand.
"Continue, Darius. Tell me the rest," I pressed, not wanting to dwell on his confession any longer.
He resumed picking at the wall, leaning his head against it. His fingers moved slowly in the flickering light of the torch, casting dancing shadows across the rough surface.
“Um, when I turned her down,” he began, his voice carrying a hint of sadness, “she was overwhelmed with frustration. Tears started streaming down her face. She kept saying she was running out of time, that everything was on the brink of falling apart. I felt a wave of sympathy for her and ended up helping her back to her cabin, the Oracle’s Cabin. The oracle herself was gone, busy with her scrying for Alpha William. She invited me in for a cup of tea. I initially declined, but she kept insisting. She said she had no one to talk to and asked if I could just listen. She was so grateful for my presence. I decided to stay, and we had a chat. She offered me a cup of hot tea, which we both enjoyed. She mentioned it was a special herbal blend she made herself. I didn’t realize at the time that it was actually a toxic substance. It was different from what Mirabelle had consumed. Later, I learned it was something called Red Lockheed. I was walking with a heavy heart, but back then, I just thought it tasted incredibly good.”