Chapter 133 INDIFFERENT AND NUMB
Edeline
After that, I became indifferent, almost numb. I hadn’t really had the chance to get to know him, and it seemed like he hadn’t made any effort to know me either. At least, not until now. Something was definitely wrong. He couldn’t feel her warmth... Only herbal teas, please.
In the event that things do not go as planned, I have a backup plan. If she ends up staying here on our land, pregnant with my mate's pup… well, I will not have been able to do anything about it. My dad said she would most likely head out of town with her father, but I believe that once he discovers her situation, he will likely avoid any involvement. Alpha Conor… wow, he is really tall. He has a rough, tough demeanor, and he is a selfish wolf who only looks out for his own interests.
As I made my way down the stairs, I heard my mom in the kitchen, busy putting away dishes. With a slight frown, I walked into the kitchen, watching her bustle around, her hands trembling as she finished cleaning.
"Mom..."
"Oh my goodness!" She spun around quickly, wide-eyed, with a hand on her chest. "Edeline, you startled me! I didn’t even hear you!"
A wave of disappointment washed over me. She had been completely oblivious to my presence as I descended the stairs.
I need to...
I could not wait to share this with her… but I needed to inform her first.
"I noticed you in the clearing yesterday with Luna P and Alpha B," I said, keeping my face neutral. Her face paled as my words caught her off guard.
"Um, excuse me?"
"Forget it, Mom. I discovered your secret last week. It is about time you made up for your betrayal." I stared at her, my gaze hardening, then shifted my eyes toward the door as I walked past her.
"Wait! Edeline! Please, don’t go. Please!" she pleaded desperately, her once radiant face now filled with sorrow as she wandered aimlessly around the island. I hesitated, curious about what she had to say.
I squinted at her, noticing how she avoided making eye contact with me.
"Allow me to clarify," she said gently.
I rolled my eyes. "So you’re saying Nixx isn’t my full brother? He’s just my mate’s half-brother? Well, go ahead, explain. I’m listening..." I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes again, just waiting.
She exhaled, a tired look in her eyes, and gestured for me to join her on the sofa. She sat down and gazed up at me with anticipation. With a sigh, I let go of my frustration and sat down next to her, glancing down at my boots. I felt unsettled.
My mom and I have never had many deep discussions. She has been a wonderful mother, but we do not talk like this. We usually stick to more general topics. I had no idea how she and Dad met—they have always been private about their past.
"I just wanted to express my love for both you and your brother. Your father is someone I care deeply about as well, as you already know."
I suppressed the urge to scoff. When her hand softly touched my arm, I reacted instinctively, pulling away slightly. I could see the pained expression on her face.
"Your dad and William have been friends since they were young. It is difficult for me to share this story because I never wanted to cause any pain to your dad. I never imagined that Nixx could be William’s son," she said, her voice trembling. I silently urged her to continue, still avoiding eye contact.
She exhaled nervously. "Well... I come from the Silver Moon Pack, one of our northern allies," she began. I nodded, avoiding eye contact, unsure of where this was going.
"Your father found me there during his beta training. Things are different now. Nowadays, Alphas begin their training as soon as they have their first shift at 17, and Betas start at 20, with both finishing by 22. But back before William was Alpha, Betas started training as soon as they shifted too. Instead of just two years, they trained for four, alongside the Alpha. So, your dad was newly shifted—seventeen—and had come to my lands for training. I was only 16 when he arrived, and I thought he was the most handsome boy I had ever seen. He flirted with me a bit, but that was it. Near the end of summer, I turned 17 and had my first shift. Afterward, I smelled the most enticing scent... I knew instantly it was my mate. My wolf went crazy, desperate to find him. She took control, and I shifted, seeking Jack out. When I found him, he was surprised, to say the least. His wolf came out too, and our wolves marked each other instantly. It was love at first sight... for them." She let out a soft breath of laughter, and I glanced up, catching the sparkle in her eyes as she stared straight ahead, lost in her memories.
"And what about the human side?" I asked, leaning in, genuinely curious now.
Her expression changed, a hint of pain flickering across her face. "After we returned to our normal selves, he was furious with me. He made it clear that he wasn’t ready for a mate and blamed me for ruining his life. He even said he wouldn’t mark me as his mate because he needed to focus on his training for the next three years without any distractions. I was devastated—my own mate didn’t want me. But he did say that he wanted to be with me, just not until after his training was done."
I blinked, surprised. I had always thought my dad adored my mom from the moment he met her.
"His Alpha, William's father, found out that we were mates and forced him to bring me here to live within the pack. It’s customary for females to join their mate’s pack. Our wolves had already marked each other, so we could sense each other's desires and needs, just like you and Percival. Sometimes, if the feelings were strong enough, we could even feel it on the human side. When I came back with him, his parents were upset about his decision to bring me along."