Chapter 16 SHATTERED BONDS
Edeline
I only had my family now. Sorry, I don't have any friends. Sorry, but no. I felt like I was being ignored.
Darius started to get really mad. "That's ridiculous!" He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me.
"I couldn't help but see Darius. The bond between us was just too strong. He explained that he spoke to your dad about us separating for the sake of his wolf, your safety, the sanity of the packs, and especially the safety of the pups because of Tatiana." I couldn't hold back my tears.
I sensed his reaction, his jaw tightening. "I'll have a chat with my dad about this, Edeline."
I gave a little shake of my head. "Nah, better not. It'll just make things more complicated."
He felt a surge of frustration, his muscles tensing in his arms. "I got this. No need to stress. But... what's with the scent in the air?" He tightened his jaw as he leaned back to observe me.
I felt my cheeks burn with a deep blush, but Darius had always been so straightforward.
"Um, I had a little moment there. Our inner wolves decided to make an appearance," I stammered, my voice shaky.
He nodded, a sign that he understood, though his expression remained clouded with unhappiness. I wiped my tears away again, the weariness of the situation weighing heavily on me. "Hey, how are you doing?"
Darius let out a sigh, his gaze drifting away from me. A pained look crossed his face. "I'll be fine. I’m just not healing properly. It’s a bit unusual. But hey, Edeline... What’s your plan with Percival? You can’t be with him while all this is happening. You need my support." His voice carried a pleading note.
I shook my head, letting out a resigned sigh. "I won’t be with him. Our connection is strong, so I’ve decided to keep my distance. Just like you can’t go against your father’s wishes, I can’t either. I suppose I’ll just stick with my family and watch everyone else find happiness," I said, a tear slipping down my cheek once more.
Darius reached out, pressing the pad of his thumb gently against my cheek to wipe away the tear. His blue eyes, determined and steady, held mine. "I’m not going to stay away. We can sneak off if we have to, but I’m not leaving you alone," he said earnestly.
"Darius, you’re going to get into trouble," I said, my throat aching from all the crying. It was overwhelming how much pressure was being put on a seventeen-year-old. Just when I thought all hope was gone.
After a bit more conversation, Darius suggested I should probably remove Percival’s scent from myself. I left, my tears already dried but my heart still heavy with sorrow. I felt like I was falling apart.
I was torn—utterly shattered. There was this woman who had just appeared out of nowhere, carrying my mate’s child. What could possibly lie ahead?
I walked along the dusty path, the clock showing it was already 9 p.m. The moonlight above was fading as the day grew shorter. As I strolled, the last rays of sunlight filtered through the trees.
I should hate Percival for what he’s done, for his request. But I couldn’t. Despite my anger, I couldn’t bring myself to truly hate him.
Approaching the pack house, each step felt like a blow to my already broken heart. I noticed the lights in my parents' house still on as I passed. I considered stopping to chat with them, but my heart urged me toward the pack house, my sanctuary. I longed to curl up in bed, cry until I could no longer, and let sleep take me away—hoping that maybe, just maybe, it would all turn out to be a nightmare if I woke up.
My brother’s coming home tomorrow, and honestly, I’m a bundle of mixed emotions. There’s the excitement of seeing him again, but there’s also this nagging anxiety about his friendship with Percival. What if it complicates things even more? Nixx has made it clear he’s not letting him off the hook for hurting his little sister, and I can’t shake the worry.
I slipped in through the back door of the pack house, treading lightly through the mud room. The quiet creak of the floorboards was the only sound as I ascended the stairs to the third floor. When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and locked it for good measure. I dove into bed, pulling the blankets up around me and snuggling into their warmth. The faint scent of my partner clung to the fabric, offering a small comfort. I closed my eyes, hoping the fragrance would bring me a sense of peace and help me drift off. But in the morning, I’d need to wash it off to avoid any questions.
In my clothes, I lay there feeling the weight of the day. Pain surged through me, and I tried to push back the tears as I curled up, holding my stomach to keep the queasiness at bay. The scent was a bittersweet reminder of what I couldn’t have, and it only deepened my ache.
Suddenly, the ping of a notification from my cell phone cut through the silence. Wolves typically don’t bother with phones unless they’re the younger ones like me, still trying to find their place in the pack. For the older wolves, it’s just a way to stay connected.
I reached for my phone and saw the message.
From: Alpha William!
“Hey, swing by and catch up with me once you’re done hanging out with your family. We need to talk.”
A wave of anxiety washed over me. It must have been important for him to reach out at this hour. The dread settled in, a heavy weight that made tears feel like the only escape.
…
Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting gentle streaks of brightness across my closed eyelids. I kept them shut, savoring the warm, golden glow. Outside, the symphony of birdsong mingled with distant wolf howls and the occasional splash from the lake nearby.