Chapter 129 RAIN OF REVELATION
Edeline
Mother scoffed, her gaze filled with disdain as she looked up at Tatiana. “You are not even his real mate, Dark Moon. Why would I have taken anything from you? Meeting him was a result of your pack's decision to separate you from your mate and pair you with William. William had to endure the loss of his partner, and now, just a year later, you appear... I am still learning and not deeply experienced with these matters!” Mom's voice rose with frustration as she stood, while Tatiana remained upright, her arms hanging by her sides, unperturbed.
Alpha William’s voice rumbled low, carrying an edge of authority as he locked eyes with Mom. “I specifically warned you never to bring that topic up again. It is best left in the past. Annabel is my friend. Let’s move forward and focus on the present. Now, what is the latest update on your relationship?”
William’s gaze shifted to his mother, who was intently watching the defeated Annabel. Her eyes betrayed a deep sense of surrender and weariness.
Mom turned abruptly, heading toward the woods. She shifted forms, her wolf emerging as she vanished into the trees. William called out for her to stop, but she ignored him, her pace quickening until she disappeared from sight.
I was left standing there, completely stunned and struggling to process the shocking revelations I had just heard.
Could Luna Annabel truly be a member of the Dark Moon pack, known for their malevolent reputation? And was she never meant to be with William?
The thought was overwhelming. I could hardly bear the weight of the truth.
I took slow, deep breaths to steady myself, trying to quell the dizziness that had settled in my head. I looked up at the sky, which was once again shrouded in clouds, mirroring the somber mood of the moment. The sun was obscured by dark gray clouds, casting a dismal light over everything. The leaves were starting to turn, hinting at the arrival of autumn. The days were getting shorter, with the sun setting earlier around 7:30 PM, signaling the approach of dinner time.
I stood quietly behind a tree, watching the scene unfold before me. Annabel, clearly overwhelmed with shame, had sunk to her knees, her shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs. Alpha William approached her, kneeling in front of her to offer comfort. His large hands moved gently over her back as he attempted to soothe her, despite the injury she had inflicted on his forearm. His touch was tender, in stark contrast to the intensity of the situation.
“What's the deal with Penny?” William’s voice was firm yet gentle, his concern evident. “What led to the altercation with Dahlia?”
Despite his strong build and the visible blood from her bite, he handled Annabel with care, trying to ease her distress.
I remained in disbelief over what my mother had revealed.
It was true. Nixx was indeed William’s son. The realization was crushing. My father was going to be devastated. My heart ached with the weight of this new knowledge. I had always been incredibly close to my dad, and now, he was facing a betrayal he never anticipated.
As Annabel stood up, she seemed to loom over William, her stature accentuated by the raw emotion on her face. Her eyes brimmed with tears that quickly cascaded down her sharp cheeks. “It seems like your secrets always manage to haunt me, no matter what,” she said, her voice cracking with sorrow. “Even the ones I have kept hidden for so long… they just keep coming back. I have always been aware of you and Dahlia, even if you never mentioned it. I figured it out myself once I arrived here. I’ve been carrying this weight of guilt for years…” She sniffled, her voice breaking as she turned away from him. Without another word, she fled the clearing, vanishing into the woods and leaving William stunned and rooted to the spot.
William remained crouched in the center of the field, his head bowed in a mix of shame and contemplation. As the sky above grew darker, raindrops began to fall gently, creating a soft patter on the ground and sprinkling everything around him.
The moon, hidden behind the overcast sky, seemed to weep with them, the weather reflecting the emotional turmoil of the wolves beneath it. It was as if the moon herself was touched by the heartache unfolding below.
Alpha William stood still, letting the rain lightly dot his shirt and trickle down his face. Feeling that it was time for me to leave, I carefully began to retreat. The sound of a branch snapping under my foot made me flinch. I quickly closed my eyes, biting my lip in frustration. I cursed softly under my breath as Alpha William’s head suddenly snapped in my direction.
Although the shadows of the trees made me difficult to spot, he stood up from the ground, his gaze sharp and focused as he began to approach. Panic surged through me. I instinctively pulled back, my heart racing at the prospect of being discovered. His clenched fists and resolute expression were clear even from a distance, his face streaked with tears.
I wasted no time, turning swiftly and sprinting into the woods with all my strength. My hair flew loose from its bun, brown strands brushing against my cheeks as I propelled myself forward. I deftly maneuvered around hanging branches and leapt over fallen logs with practiced ease.
Being caught by Alpha William was not an option. He would corner me and demand answers about the confrontation between my mother and himself. It was vital that everyone saw my mother’s betrayal and understood the depth of Alpha William’s own.
It seemed I would need to keep the key to the cellar for a bit longer. I planned to swing by the pack store to make a copy before returning it. That way, I could visit Darius once everything was in order.
Emerging from the forest, I continued to run until I reached the dirt road. I did not slow down until I reached the Pack House, well hidden from view. Running a half-mile while recovering from serious injuries was exhausting, even for someone in good shape. I took a moment to catch my breath, leaning against the door frame for support. The wolves around me looked on with surprise and a hint of amusement.