Chapter 180 BREAKING FREE
Edeline
Percival sat back on his shins, looking up at me with a heartfelt expression. "I love you," he said softly. "And if you happen to be carrying my pup... Well, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. Good luck trying to get rid of me. I’m here to stay, no matter what." His voice was filled with determination.
With a sigh, I said, "It’s too late, Percival." I turned and walked away, leaving him sitting in the grass by the clinic, looking stunned and forlorn.
As I strolled down the dusty path, my body felt numb, and I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow for myself. I needed to escape. My inner wolf was growing stronger and wilder, fiercely protective of me. The mere thought of her jaws around the pup filled me with dread. I had to make sure she stayed away. I couldn’t even imagine what would happen if she got hold of that little one. It would be devastating, something I could never forgive.
Right now, Percival could sense that I was a threat.
I couldn’t help but shiver as I felt the possessive nature of the wolf within me, especially now that she had found a mate. It was clear she would stop at nothing to protect her territory, even if it meant going after Tatiana's belly and the unborn pup. The intensity of her thoughts left me deeply unsettled.
She wanted to leave, but I couldn’t let her. I had to assert control over her.
I continued down the path, the sun dipping slowly in the sky. Each step was accompanied by the crunch of leaves underfoot, as the trees around me displayed a mix of green and fallen foliage. The sky was a canvas of deep pinks and oranges, with the sun making its dramatic descent on the horizon. Percival's pain, transmitted through our bond, weighed heavily on me. I quickly sent him a message, urging him to keep his emotions in check unless he wanted to provoke my wolf. Instantly, the flood of emotions ceased.
Percival just wanted to keep his pup safe, but he knew our connection wouldn’t allow him to physically confront me. He wanted to make me surrender, sure. But actually hurting me? That was out of the question.
Yes, he could try, but it would cause him physical pain.
I let out a sigh of relief as his emotions faded from my thoughts. There was now a gaping void where my heart used to be, a dark and immense emptiness.
The decision I made... standing there in that yard with Percival... it really hurt. I couldn’t help but break down at the thought, but I still made a choice. His constant betrayals made it easier to come to terms with it.
I’m pretty self-centered, I admit, especially when it comes to things I believe should belong to me. My wolf has no idea how to share, and she’s never going to figure it out. Some people might think I’m just immature, but how could I possibly know better?
Yeah, it's true. I’m still a kid, just six months away from being an adult. But these past few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions. Every experience has toughened me up and opened my eyes. I’ve learned a lot, and now I know exactly what I need to do.
A lot of people are going to dislike me for this.
But it has to be done.
I can’t keep going like this. The thread that held me together snapped just moments ago, and I felt the pain sharply. Now, it’s just a faint echo.
Yeah, I was going to do this.
If that pup is born, my wolf will take care of it. If she still carries it, my wolf might feel threatened and try to protect her and the pup. I can’t find it in me to feel sorry for her; my wolf won’t allow it. It seems I’ve become a problem, so it’s best if I distance myself. So much has happened between Percival and me that even if the pup didn’t survive, I wouldn’t want to see him. Going against the mark has been challenging enough, with the bond urging us to stay together. But now, all I see when I look at him is betrayal.
I walked up the front walkway to my house, my boots thudding against the dirt road. Dad was finally home.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself as I processed everything that had just happened. Just as I was about to head up the stairs, a voice called out, stopping me in my tracks.
"Edeline."
I recognized the deep baritone immediately.
As I turned, memories of the spot where Darius had attacked me came rushing back. I couldn’t help but picture a towering, formidable Alpha wolf in my mind.
"Hey, Conor! What do you want?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice. Hadn't he taken enough from me already?
Conor moved closer, his expression focused. My hand instinctively reached for the dagger hidden in my waistband—a habit I’d picked up after the Darius incident that made me feel constantly exposed, something I really disliked.
With his hands raised in a non-threatening gesture, he looked at me with his attentive blue eyes. "I was just wondering if you’d like to grab a drink together. Just want to chat. We’ve both been let down lately. And, hey, I can’t help but notice that there’s something about you that reminds me of someone. Go ahead and indulge me. No worries, I don’t have any ill intentions. I swear it." His voice was rough, but there was no malice in his gaze, no lies in his words.
"How about grabbing a drink?" he suggested, his eyes never leaving mine. The formidable Alpha standing before me, inviting me for a drink in a place like no man’s land, seemed like a risky proposition.
Yeah, he was definitely telling the truth. I could see it in his eyes.
Just need a drink...
"I'm not old enough," I replied flatly, struggling to keep my emotions in check.
He waved it off with a casual sweep of his large hand. "Don’t worry about that part. I come here all the time."