Chapter 152 HEARTFELT RECONCILIATION
Edeline
“Hey, let’s go have a chat,” I said, gently taking his hand and leading him into the forest. We walked until we found a nice spot with a sturdy stone to sit on. My dad settled himself on the stone across from me.
His face was a mask of neutrality, but his deep green eyes revealed a flood of emotions. “Hey Dad, you should really talk to Mom. I’ve got all the details. She filled me in just before the meeting, and it’s important for you to hear her side. I understand you’re really angry with her, but—”
“Hey pumpkin, I’m not actually angry at your mom,” he interrupted softly. “I still remember how badly I treated her back then. I’ve been trying to make up for it all these years, but it hurts that she never told me the truth. I’m upset with William for keeping this secret from me. It stings knowing they had a child together, a child I raised as my own. My wolf is feeling incredibly jealous right now. I don’t hate your mom; I actually understand what she was going through. I found her days later during her heat. I know how a heat can affect an unmated male. It’s just that no one bothered to inform me.” He covered his face with his hands, tears escaping silently.
Seeing him like this, broken and vulnerable, made a wave of sadness wash over me. Tears welled up in my eyes as my heart ached for him. “Hey, Dad,” I said, reaching out and taking his hand. His eyes, a dark shade of green, met mine. They looked puffy and swollen, filled with pain.
I let out a small sniffle. “Mom didn’t tell you because William asked her not to. She didn’t want to mess up your friendship with him. But then they realized they made a mistake. Mom felt really guilty because she didn’t want to be the reason you wouldn’t want the beta position. I mean, who wants to deal with all those emotions when you could just be happy with your best friend, right? She just wanted to protect you.”
He looked up, a mix of frustration and understanding crossing his face. “To protect me? To spare me? After the way I treated her…” He seemed lost in old memories.
“Yeah,” I said softly.
“Man, I was really terrible to her. Like, really awful. I totally ignored her and pushed her away, all because my dad made me think that being in charge was the most important thing. He was so mad when I brought her back. I resented her for messing up my life, but at the same time, it was hard to fight the connection we had. When I found her in her heat, I couldn’t resist, and since then, we’ve had this incredible bond. It’s taking everything I have not to go find her and mark her all over again. She... she believed in me and stuck by my side, even when I treated her so poorly.” His voice was barely a whisper, choked with tears.
I looked down, meeting his gaze with a comforting smile. “So, just go and find her. Show her some love. It’s all she wants. Ever since she found out, she’s been a mess. She really wanted to be the one to tell you, you know? But guilt has been eating away at her.”
He seemed to lighten up a bit. “Oh, really? Even after I lost that fight with William?” His tone was almost childlike, as if he needed some reassurance.
I nodded and smiled. “Yeah, no one really cared about the fight. We were all too caught up in our own issues,” I said. He closed his eyes and squeezed my hand tighter. “But Nixx…” he began, and a tear slipped down his cheek.
Chuckling, I shook my head. “Hey, Dad. Nixx really loves you. Today, William told him how proud he was to have such a strong and handsome son. You know what Nixx said? He said, ‘Thanks, William, but I already have a dad.’” I couldn’t help but smile through my own tears as I saw my father's face light up.
“He... he said that?” he asked, sounding unsure.
I tilted my head slightly. “Yeah, you’re his dad. You raised him. William doesn’t see you the way Nixx does,” I said honestly.
A genuine smile spread across his face. He beamed as he wiped away his tears. Gently, he pressed my hand to his lips and gave it a tender kiss. “Thanks, Edeline! You’re really wise. You would have made a fantastic Luna, you know?”
I blushed at his compliment.
He stood up slowly, reaching out to help me up. He enveloped me in a warm embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me.
“I’m still not sure if I can stay here. If we can stay here. I’m not sure what to do about William. I understand how he fell into Mom’s heat, but he told her to keep it from me. Annabel knew too. I just…” His voice trailed off, uncertainty clouding his face.
I looked up at him through my lashes as I gently pulled away. “Dad, just take a moment to consider it. William was ashamed and didn’t want to lose you or the friendship you all shared. He had formed a bond with Mom through Nyra, both grieving their loss. He didn’t want to hurt you. I’m always on your side, but please try to see it from their perspectives. And Annabel, she thought William had an affair. When she smelled Mom, she knew it was her, but she was pregnant with Nixx. She didn’t want to ruin a happy couple. She’s been carrying that burden for years, thinking they were in love, unaware of the truth. You need to find forgiveness—both for them and yourself—because Mom already has. Neither Mom nor Nixx are going anywhere. They just want you.” I pleaded with him, tears glistening in my eyes.
He couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. His face twisted as he sobbed uncontrollably. The anger that had once marked his expression seemed to melt away. “Edeline,” he said, sniffling.