Chapter 191 LONELY ALPHA
Edeline
I was more interested in escaping the chaos. My wolf’s agitation was like a caged beast ready to lash out, craving a fight for its own sake. But I was indifferent to her restlessness. All I wanted was to get away from that scene, to find some semblance of peace—even if it meant just talking to someone.
With a sense of urgency, I pushed myself faster, feeling the crisp autumn air whip against my face as I raced down the dirt road. My boots felt heavier with each step, but I didn’t let that slow me down. My heart pounded with the rhythm of my footsteps as I headed straight for Conor’s cabin.
I knew he had left immediately after Anita’s burning, and I hoped he’d be there. The scent of him lingered in the air, mixing with the melancholy of the evening. It guided me down the winding path until I reached his front door.
As I approached, I slowed my pace, feeling the weight of my boots with each step. My breath came in ragged bursts, and I was nearly out of breath by the time I reached the creaky wooden step. Just as I was about to knock, the door swung open unexpectedly. I gasped, momentarily blinded by the bright light that spilled out, revealing Conor's imposing figure standing within.
"Edeline?" His surprise was palpable.
"... Conor," I managed to reply, struggling to catch my breath as I leaned against the post.
"Come on in," he said, stepping aside to let me through. I gave him a weak smile as I entered.
The moment the door shut behind me, I felt a strange contrast between the outside chaos and the relative calm inside the cabin. Conor's tall frame seemed almost too large for the modest space, and although he straightened up as he faced me, there was a lingering sadness in the air.
"Have you made a decision?" His voice was deep and compelling, with a hint of curiosity.
I nodded and sank onto a bar stool, taking a seat next to where he stood. My thoughts were still tangled with Percival and the troubling situation with Tatiana. My mind kept drifting to the idea of a new puppy—one that might or might not be growing inside me.
Conor sat down beside me, his eyes full of expectation. "Sure, go ahead," he encouraged, his gaze locked on mine.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my decision. His midnight blue eyes held me captive, and I felt a pang of guilt for what I was about to say. The gravity of the moment settled over me as I prepared to speak.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept your offer,” I said, my voice tinged with regret as I looked away, trying to hide my frustration. “It is just not possible for me to do that while I am already committed to someone else. Even though, deep down, I know I want to be away from him.” I took a deep breath before continuing. “I am not sure if I am pregnant or not, but even though he has caused me a lot of grief and pain, I just cannot do it. I cannot be your Luna. I am just not that type of wolf.” I met his gaze again, noticing the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “I am really sorry about that.”
Conor gave a small nod, his expression shifting as he chuckled softly. His lips curled into a wistful smile. “Yeah, I get it. It was a big favor to ask, and I understand if you cannot do it. I am just feeling a bit lost right now. Without an heir, I am not sure what to do. Being alone is getting tiresome. You know, you really resemble her a lot. I figured it was worth a try.”
I felt a pang of discomfort at his words. The resemblance to Tatiana’s mother was unsettling. “Do you happen to have any photos of her?” I asked, my voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
Conor’s interest was piqued. “I have a favor to ask… a plea…” I said, nervously biting my lip.
His curiosity deepened, and he leaned back, his expression shifting to one of intrigue. “What’s up?”
I averted my gaze, feeling a surge of vulnerability. “Um… I was thinking, maybe I could come back with you to your pack? I really need to get out of here.” Our eyes met briefly, and I hoped he understood the urgency behind my request. “I have to get out of here before my wolf does something that could land me in serious trouble. She’s getting stronger, and I need to find a place to escape to. I just want to leave, if that’s not too much to ask, especially since I turned down your proposal…”
“Yeah,” Conor cut me off, his voice firm but kind.
I looked up, surprised. “Huh?”
“Sure, I’m cool with that. You’re welcome to come back with me.”
I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “Oh, really? Why?”
He chuckled softly, a hint of self-deprecation in his laugh. “You want to know why I agreed to help you? Honestly, it’s because I am feeling lonely. You remind me of Cilla, and it would be nice to have a friend like her again. Someone I can be myself with, without having to put on my tough alpha act. It gets exhausting always being the big bad alpha. What’s refreshing is that you’re not even intimidated by me. You don’t even use my title when you talk to me,” he said with a chuckle, glancing down at his hands. “I’m here to lend a hand. I have to say, there’s something about you that my wolf really connects with… I know, it sounds kind of silly,” he added, his cheeks reddening slightly.
Did Conor just turn red?
I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I leaned forward, surprising him by wrapping my arms around him. His hands found their way to my back, patting me gently with a hint of awkwardness.
It seemed he had not received many hugs in his life.