Chapter 175 MATE PULL AND PAIN
Edeline
He clenched his hands in his hair, pulling hard as rage radiated off him. I had to step back, distancing myself from the overwhelming power he was giving off. "You know why I’m bigger now? Why my wolf’s becoming more dominant? It’s because I grew up thinking I wasn’t an Alpha. But when I found Tatiana, my wolf wanted to prove that he could provide for his mate. Now that I know the truth, I can feel the power! But it’s so frustrating to know that she’s pregnant with that other wolf’s pup in there," he said angrily, pointing towards the clinic. "His wolf is so paternal over his pup, and now that he’s seen the sonogram picture, it’s like the skin side is paternal too. It makes me sick to think that I might have to watch my mate bear his pup. And the worst part is, I still want her!" His tone shifted to agony, his hand gripping his shirt over his heart, his face a mask of pain.
I froze, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "Hey," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with pain. "I can’t believe you still want her, even after knowing what she did to me. I get the whole mate pull thing, but seriously, just listen to yourself! She’s holding his hand at this very moment, not yours!" My frustration spilled out, raw and unfiltered.
His eyes darkened as he glared at me. "I’m really frustrated with him. He doesn’t seem interested in being with Tatiana; he only cares about the pup. I understand that, but my wolf is ready to challenge him at any moment. I come from a strong Alpha bloodline, and Alphas are known to have a stronger bond with their mates than other wolves. It’s infuriating that I’m being told to stay out of the room because ‘this doesn’t involve me,’ as William, my Alpha, says. I’m extremely angry about it! Once this situation is resolved, there will be consequences."
Yeah, he was completely right. Alpha-blooded males always wanted more. They were so possessive, fiercely protective of their land, their family, their pack. It was almost out of control. It fascinated me how all the Alpha bloods shared this trait, but for some reason, Percival's wolf and skin were especially possessive over his pup by another. And it was not just me who noticed.
"Wow, I totally get it, but honestly, I have no idea what to say to you right now!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in exasperation.
I could tell Anita’s story was genuine, but at the same time, I knew Tatiana was just following orders out of fear. Still, she could have been honest with all of us. She saved herself, sure, but at what cost? Anita’s insatiable greed overshadowed everything else, and she hoped Tatiana could become a Luna. Tatiana, however, did nothing to seek help.
Nixx let out a low growl, his voice thick with anger. "You're one to talk. You allowed your mate to bond with Percival, and now he’s in there with my mate, marked and all." His eyes flashed, and I could see the wolf lurking behind them, burning with fury.
His words hit me like a punch in the gut. I instinctively took a step back, a wave of sadness washing over me. The urge to cry was overwhelming, but I forced it down. Now was not the time. "Yeah, I know. That's why I'm done with him. You haven’t found anyone yet, so just do what’s best for you and move on," I shot back, glaring at him, my pain clear as day.
As I tried to walk away, he suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling me back to face him. I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the emotions swirling inside me.
"Hey, Edeline. I just wanted to apologize. I know I messed up with what I said." His voice was softer now, tinged with regret as he stared at the ground. When he looked up, there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Do you still see me as your brother?" He looked at me like a lost puppy, desperate for reassurance.
My heart, already shattered, broke even more, though I did not think that was possible.
I closed my eyes and nodded. "Nixx, your blood doesn’t matter to me. As far as I’m concerned, we have the same parents. I apologize too. I know this is hard for you, and I get that your wolf longs to be with her, despite everything..." I confessed, meeting his gaze. "It’s so tough to see the wolves I care about abandoning me for her. I cannot stand her, honestly. Even though I get that she might have been influenced, I cannot help but feel resentful for all the trouble she’s caused. It’s hurt me, and I am not okay with that." A tear slipped down my face, much to my frustration. "I just want you to be happy in the end, even if it means I have to deal with this anger on my own. If she wants you, I’ll try to cope. I cannot promise I will be okay with it, but I hope you know what you’re doing. It seems I can forgive anyone who has done wrong, except for those who have hurt my heart, those who played a part in causing that pain. But if this is truly what you want, then I understand." I looked up into his eyes, tears welling but not falling. "I’ve felt the mate pull before," I murmured, my voice trembling. "I know the pain you’re going through... just take care."
Out of nowhere, I found myself being pulled into his embrace. His strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close as he took a deep breath, his warm breath brushing against my hair. "I’m sorry," he murmured, his voice soft but sincere. "Hey, I’m sorry I can’t stay away. I know you’re not too happy about it. I understand you’ve been through a lot of pain because of Tatiana, but I genuinely believe she deserves another chance. Please consider it."