Chapter 13 RIVAL CLAIMS
Edeline
Nixx was close with Percival, so this was going to be a bit tricky.
I watched my dad strolling along the curve of the dusty road, the last hints of daylight casting long shadows. As I spun around and headed toward the front door, it swung open just in time to reveal Tatiana. Her puffy eyes and weary expression said it all. She gave me a piercing look with those brown eyes, and a low growl rumbled deep within me as our gazes locked.
My skin prickled under the intensity of her stare. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she seemed ready to explode with frustration as she took me in.
“Hey, keep your distance from Percival, okay?” she snapped in a hushed tone, her voice dripping with challenge.
A growl bubbled up from my chest, my wolf bristling at her defiance. I reined it in, forcing myself to stay calm. I smirked, the urge to assert my dominance over this older she-wolf burning in my chest. I was destined to be the future Luna, and she certainly wasn’t part of that plan.
“What’s with the smirk? Percival got hurt because of you!” Her voice was ragged, raw with emotion.
I nodded slowly, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath. “Yeah, he got hurt because the mate bond is impossible to ignore. Every part of him is screaming to claim me. Now that we’ve connected, his jealousy is off the charts. But let’s make one thing clear.” I met her eyes with a sharp, controlled glare. “You’re just a visitor, not a member. To him, you were a mistake. I was chosen by the moon to be his mate, the future Luna of this pack. Your child won’t make it because the mate bond is too strong.” I took a step forward, and she instinctively stepped back.
“Every time he’s around me, it’s like a magnetic force pulling him closer. No unwanted offspring could withstand that. It’s only a matter of time. And once it happens, you’ll be sent home ashamed, while I’ll be with Percival… my destined mate.” I let out a low growl, daring her to respond.
Part of me wasn’t entirely sure if I’d get together with him so soon, especially after the miscarriage… But the mate bond was a special thing.
Tatiana’s frustration was palpable, her anger practically radiating off her.
I blurted out my thoughts before I could stop myself, my wolf’s voice taking over. I would never admit the doubts swirling inside me. It was frustrating to think I might be denied what I believed I deserved.
Tatiana’s nostrils flared, and her thin lips tightened into a thin line. “I have alpha blood. Our pup is strong. I can feel him. He’ll make it, and then what? He’ll have no choice but to mark me.” Her words weren’t meant to be mean, but they were undeniably hurtful.
I shook my head, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “He won’t. And you have a mate out there somewhere who’s been misled by your choices. You should have known better. I don’t know what your intentions are, but I’ll find out soon enough.” I shot her a skeptical look before brushing past her and stepping into the doctor's office. I caught the tail end of her muttered words as she left.
“We’ll see. Why would you even consider going to Percival? I’ll figure it out.”
I forced a smirk and slammed the door shut behind me.
As I made my way down the corridor towards Percival’s room, I felt a pang of relief that Tatiana wasn’t around. I was eager to see my best friend and give him a hug before I had to leave. The thought of comforting him, even just for a moment, was a welcome distraction. I was drawn to my wolf’s instincts and couldn’t resist getting closer.
I opened the door carefully, my heart aching at the sight of Percival—his body a patchwork of cuts and bandages. The sight of him made my wolf whimper inside my head.
“Percival?” I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
His blue eyes met mine, filled with pain, and his anguished gaze sent a shiver down my spine.
“I’ve got something to tell you…” he started, his voice trembling.
…
I glanced at Percival, lying in the hospital bed. His wounds, wrapped in bandages, were stained with crimson. They were healing, but it was a slow process.
His voice echoed in my mind, each word sending shivers down my spine. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
“I’ve got something to tell you…”
My lips parted slightly, trying to keep the tremor from reaching them. The sadness in his eyes was palpable, and I knew this wasn’t going to end well. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before stepping into the room. I closed the door behind me, taking a moment to center my thoughts. His nervousness was almost tangible, and I could sense it radiating from him.
As I sat down on the chair beside his bed, I was struck by the deep blue of his eyes, an endless ocean of melancholy.
“Edeline,” he rasped. “You don’t want me around anymore, do you?”
I struggled to hold back my tears, my gaze drifting away from his. I didn’t want to cry, not now. Not here.
“Hey Edeline… Listen, I hope you understand, but I think it’s best if you stop seeing Darius. It’s causing issues with my wolf, you know?”
Anger bubbled up inside me, fierce and uncontrollable. I felt a low growl rumble in my chest as I turned sharply to face him.
“What did you say?” I snapped, irritation clear in my voice. My wolf saw Darius as family, a part of her pack. And now, Percival’s command felt like a betrayal, especially since he’d gotten someone else pregnant. How dare he try to control me?
Percival’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of my ruffled fur. He seemed to sense my rising fury.
I looked down, my green eyes reflecting my frustration. “Percival, you really don’t have the right to dictate my actions. You’ve lost any authority you once had. I’m not bound to you. You’re having a pup with someone else.” My voice was low but edged with intensity, fueled by my anger.
A smirk appeared on his face, though it quickly faded as he noticed my irritation.