Chapter 149 RAW SINCERITY
Edeline
His tone was final, his posture commanding. Reluctantly, the wolves began to disperse, their discontent evident in their dirty looks as they made their way home. William watched them go, his expression resolute, knowing he had maintained his authority despite the turmoil.
In the quiet aftermath, only a few of us remained in the backyard: Mom, Nixx, myself, and William. The grass was littered with torn clothes, blood, and splinters from the shattered balcony. The chaos of the earlier confrontation had left a tangible mark on the scene.
William walked over to Nixx with a clear, albeit hesitant, purpose. Nixx looked back at him with a pained expression, his emotions a mixture of confusion and longing.
“Hey there, Nixxolas,” William began, his voice carrying a touch of awkwardness. “I’m kind of at a loss for words here. Not really sure how this whole thing works, you know? But... I’m really glad to know that you’re my son. Any guy would be thrilled to have you.” He rested a hand gently on Nixx's shoulder, his eyes soft with concern, trying to gauge Nixx’s reaction.
I stood nearby, silent and contemplative, having said little since the test results came to light.
Nixx’s chest swelled with pride from the wolf inside him, while Mom struggled to hold back her tears. Nixx’s eyes misted over as he looked at her. “I... I have a dad named William,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.
A smile touched my lips at his words.
William nodded, pulling Nixx into a tight embrace. Nixx’s resolve finally gave way, and he let out a sob, allowing himself to fully express his vulnerability. “I want you to know that I care about you, and I always have,” William said softly. “There’s no need to be upset with your mom. This story isn’t about a hidden love affair... it was just a one-time thing, caught up in the heat of the moment. Your mom and I were close, like best friends, and nothing more. She will always be my friend.” He glanced at Mom, his eyes brimming with tears that made my own eyes misty.
After releasing Nixx, William placed his hands on his shoulders and looked down at him with a sense of pride. “You’re a pretty tough wolf. I’ve always had a feeling about that. Tougher than your siblings. If you’re interested in the Alpha position... it’s yours. It’s up to you to decide, since you seem to be in the wrong training,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Nixx looked up at William with a newfound sense of calm. He seemed to grasp something profound, though he couldn’t fully articulate it. A small smile appeared on his face as he nodded. “I’ll consider it.”
My brother, with Alpha blood coursing through him, was facing a pivotal moment.
If only Tatiana had known. If only she had met her mate. If only she had waited.
William then turned to Mom, embracing her gently. She had a few healing scratch marks on her face. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m really sorry for all of this. So, you discovered you’re pregnant... And Nyra decided to leave us, leaving us to find comfort in each other. I’m sorry your partner wasn’t great to you at first. I can’t help but feel weak in the face of your warmth. I’m sorry for Annabel coming in and holding that over your head. I’m sorry everyone had to find out like this... I’m sorry for not being the best friend to you since Penny arrived. I’m sorry for telling you not to spill the beans to Jack about us.” He pulled her into a tight hug, tears streaming down his cheeks as he clung to her.
In the stillness that followed, the weight of unspoken words and emotions hung in the air, binding us together in a moment of raw, heartfelt sincerity.
The sight of the Alpha, who had always maintained a stoic demeanor, now weeping for his long-lost best friend and the son they had brought into this world was profoundly moving. His tears were a stark contrast to his usual unyielding presence, underscoring the depth of his grief.
It was a scene filled with sorrow...
Two close friends, once as inseparable as Darius and I had been, were now united by a tragic twist of fate. Their bond had been forged through a shared love for William’s deceased partner. Together, they found solace in each other's company as they grieved their loss. But one fateful night, driven by uncontrollable desires, they succumbed to their passions, leading to the conception of a pup that was not fathered by her own mate. It was a heartbreaking turn of events that forever altered their lives.
Their story was undeniably tragic, but I could empathize with their situation. I held no animosity toward any of these wolves. Each of them was grappling with their own pain and struggles.
Darius would be stunned when I told him about this...
Mom eventually leaned out of William’s embrace, her eyes still red from crying. She turned her attention to Nixx, pulling him into a tight hug. “I’m really sorry, Nixx. I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, her face buried in his chest as she clung to him. Her head barely reached his chest, but his comforting presence seemed to offer her solace. Nixx closed his eyes and held her close, murmuring, “It’s alright, Mom. I know it wasn’t either of your faults.”
We were all overcome with emotion. I stood on the sidelines, feeling a bit out of place as I observed this raw, heartfelt moment.
Suddenly, loud footsteps interrupted the quiet. We all instinctively moved away from each other, turning toward the source of the sound.
“Oh hey there.” Conor's voice cut through the tension. “Seems like I’m not the only one with secrets,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, casually crossing his arms.
We glanced at him, trying to read his expression and figure out what he was up to.
“You know...” Conor mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “I think I’m going to consider Tatiana as my daughter. After all, I raised her. Oh, really? Hey, Nixx! Congratulations on being next in line!” he chuckled. “Looks like I’ll finally have my heir. We just need to handle that little issue with Tatiana’s pregnancy first, and then we’ll be set. Edeline! Mark your mate! Can you get us moving, sweetheart?”