Chapter 22 UNSPOKEN FACTS
Edeline
I looked down at his shoes, my voice trembling. “I just wanted you to enjoy your party before you found out,” I said, crying. My heart felt shattered, the broken pieces digging deeper into me. I wanted to escape, as if I didn’t belong here.
We embraced tightly, finding solace in each other’s arms. Nixx placed a gentle kiss on my hair, his voice a soft rumble as he tried to comfort me.
“So, what’s the plan?” His breath tickled my ear as he whispered, making sure no one else caught wind of our conversation.
I leaned in, drawing in a deep breath of his familiar scent. It wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. “Just let it be. It’s not his fault. He didn’t know her anger was about to explode. He couldn’t sense it. I’m not sure what’s going to happen... But for now, let’s hold off on taking any action, okay?” My voice was weak, barely above a whisper. I felt drained, my energy ebbing away.
“Alright, Edeline. Just tell me what you want, and we can handle it. I’ve got your back,” he said hoarsely. It was clear he was ready to stand up for me. I had two guys willing to fight for me—two genuinely cool dudes. Any she-wolf would be thrilled about that. As for me, I was overwhelmed with emotions, feeling them all at once.
A gentle hand on my shoulder made me look up. My dad’s serious expression met mine. He glanced briefly at Nixx. “Hey, Nixxolas, no worries. We’ll talk about this later.”
Nixx nodded, his eyes shifting to Percival, who looked utterly dejected. Percival’s misery was palpable, and the entire pack could sense his distress.
“Hey, Percival, I’m not going to fight you right now,” Nixx shouted, his voice cutting through the crowd. “But let’s get one thing straight—we’re not friends until you make things right with my sister and sort out this mess.”
Percival nodded a couple of times before pushing himself off the brick wall. He maneuvered through the crowd of wolves, who parted to let him pass, their eyes following his every move. The murmurs of disapproval were clear; their future leader had really messed up.
Dad’s gaze turned toward Alpha William, who stood with a commanding presence, watching us with a critical eye. Dad approached him at a leisurely pace, his hands clenched tightly by his sides. His voice was barely audible as he said, “Hey, we need to talk.”
Alpha William nodded, acknowledging the request. He headed toward the pack house, Dad trailing closely behind.
Luna Annabel, ever the beacon of control, quickly assessed the crowd before breaking the tension with a round of applause. “Alright, folks, the show’s over. Let’s get this party started, shall we? Everyone, return to what you were doing. We can’t let this food go to waste!” She flashed a strained smile, urging the wolves to relax and enjoy themselves.
As the crowd began to shift and settle, Nixx took my hand, his smile forced and his eyes distant. He wasn’t thrilled about the situation, watching me suffer. He was always there for me, looking out for me, but tonight, his discomfort was palpable. We walked toward the bonfire together.
A group of older females approached me, their faces lined with concern. They leaned in, pressing their cheeks against mine and gently touching my shoulders and arms. Each one left, only to be replaced by another, their scents mingling with mine in a gesture of acceptance and empathy. Their sympathy was evident, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and sadness.
“Hey, Edeline,” one of the women said softly, her voice full of sympathy. “We’re really sorry to hear that you’re going through this. We had no idea.”
Another woman stepped forward, gently pressing her cheek against mine. “We had no idea about the pain you’ve been enduring... I’m truly sorry.”
I felt a lump forming in my throat, making it hard to speak. My emotions were tangled, and I struggled to find the right words. Each woman’s touch seemed to lighten my burden, if only a little. The support was comforting, making me feel like I belonged. It wasn’t a complete fix, but it was a start.
“Thanks,” I managed to murmur, my voice trembling. As the last woman walked away, I was hit by an unfamiliar yet pleasant sensation—having all these women rallying behind me felt unexpectedly uplifting. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, and they streamed down my face. Nixx stood nearby, a small, reassuring smile on his lips. I approached him, gripping his hand tightly while using the other to wipe away my tears.
“Thanks, Nixx,” I said, resting my head against his arm.
Nixx had forced Percival to publicly confess to protect me, fully aware of the ruthless nature of wolves, especially women. He had shielded me from blame, as he always did. “No big deal,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s just try to enjoy the party, or at least attempt to. I have one more thing to ask you, though.”
I looked up into his green eyes, seeing the concern there.
“So, uh, any idea where Darius is and how he’s dealing with all this?”
I frowned, struggling to keep my emotions in check. “Actually, he was really upset... Percival attacked him the other day when he saw me holding his hand. Darius fought his brother for me. They both ended up at Doc’s with injuries. I’m not allowed to see Darius anymore because it’s making Percival’s wolf unstable, and it could be harmful to the pack... and Tatiana,” I whispered, my head dropping in shame.
“So, Alpha William ordered you not to have contact with him?” Nixx’s voice rose in shock, and I quickly glanced around to make sure no one was listening. I nodded in confirmation.
“He asked him to,” I said quietly.
Nixx’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching and his fists tightening. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from his chest, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ll handle this. Can you believe he banned you from seeing your best friend while Percival parades his pregnant partner around?” His anger was palpable.