Chapter 202 SUNDOWN ESCAPE
Edeline
“Just make sure it does not happen,” she said, looking up at him with determination.
He pulled her close, their lips meeting as she melted into his embrace. He then nuzzled his face against her neck. She let out a small moan as her teeth sank into his flesh, and he kept her in place. Oops, sorry for intruding on your private moment... Just trying to be casual.
He backed off, looking at her with amazement.
“You are mine. No one else can take that away,” she said, melting at his words.
William glanced at her, his facade of courage crumbling. “I could really use your help. As Luna, I am reaching out to make sure we stay strong and hold our ground.”
She grinned affectionately at him as the sun began to set over the horizon, drawing near to sundown.
I had to hurry.
She casually waved him off, saying, “Alright, go on. Head back to Doc’s and find out if we have a grandpup or not. Let us hope we do not. I know it might sound harsh, William, but I do not want Edeline to experience what I have been through... but ten times worse.”
I felt a chill run through me.
“I will let you know when I have a chance. Take care, love.” He planted a final kiss on her lips before slipping out the side door, heading back to Doc’s.
Peeking out from behind the trees, I felt like a stealthy predator... Just biding my time. Annabel wiped away her tears as she looked out through the screened-in porch, her emotions concealed behind a facade.
As I made my way around the tree trunks near the pack house, I casually approached the screen door. She looked up suddenly when she noticed me, clearly surprised.
“Edeline!” she exclaimed, her hand instinctively clutching her chest. I stepped into the screened porch and closed the door behind me.
“Hey Luna, I could really use your help.” My eyes betrayed the desperation I was feeling deep inside.
Well, I had to do it.
…
Edeline
It was getting dark, the sun sinking behind the thick forest. As it dipped lower, the air got cooler, and through the trees where sunlight still lingered, the moon began to peek through. A sunset… My heart pounded faster.
Conor and I were sitting in his Dodge truck, baggage packed and ready to go. The letters had all been sent, Percival knew where I stood, and so did Annabel.
Annabel, though—she hesitated when I first asked for her help to get Darius out of jail. I could see the confusion in her eyes. She didn’t think he needed to go anywhere, and she was scared William would get mad at her since they had just patched things up.
I had to tell her I was leaving.
Her reaction wasn’t pretty. She was furious that I was leaving Percival. I told her, though, that he’d left me so many times before. These problems were bound to come up, and honestly... they would never stop.
I had to make her understand how broken I felt inside. I played on her empathy, talking about the thoughts my wolf had been swirling around in my head, the hurt I couldn't shake. I had no choice. I had to leave. Annabel wasn’t happy, but she agreed, reluctantly.
She said she would help as long as I kept Darius away, at least until William calmed down and we knew more about what he was up to. I had a pretty strong hunch it had something to do with Anita, though I didn’t tell her that part.
She finally agreed, to protect her daughter from all the fallout that would come, to keep Darius alive.
I glanced at Conor, my eyes filled with worry. “Are they coming soon?” I couldn’t hide the anxiety twisting in my chest, my nerves practically buzzing through my veins. I kept trying to look relaxed, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking in my lap.
Conor’s calm voice broke through my thoughts. “She’ll be here in a few minutes.”
I nodded, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. 7:00 p.m. The truck was quiet, engine off, and we sat in front of his house waiting. Tatiana was still at Doc’s, giving birth to my friend’s dog. The distraction didn’t help. No one could stop me from what I needed to do.
I had given Annabel the skeleton key, told her to get Darius out and meet us here at 7. Everything should have been in place by now. But all I could do was worry. The “what ifs” were circling like vultures in my head.
That’s when I saw something—movement behind the trees. The leaves shook. A faint rustling.
“There they are!” I burst out, jumping from the truck, finally feeling some of the knots in my stomach untangle. Relief washed over me. He was here. Safe.
A wave of happiness hit me as I saw Annabel step out from the bushes, holding Darius close. He looked weak, leaning heavily on her with his arm slung over her shoulder. Even though he was clearly in pain, when our eyes met, I could see the hope flicker back to life in his gaze.
I yelled, "Darius!" and ran toward them, gently taking his arm from Annabel and placing it around my neck to support his weak body. My gaze met hers. She looked back at me with hopeful eyes, her hands never leaving her youngest son.
"Thank you, Edeline... for taking him out of here. Be safe. Keep him safe. You are strong... just, please, do not leave Percival waiting to hear from you. You are his mate, and I know you are hurting, but he is my son too, and he loves you... I know that to be true," she said, her voice trembling as she asked for help.
I was not going to lie to her.
"Do not worry," I replied softly, "I will tell him why I left when I am ready. I also promise not to look for another boyfriend."