Chapter 233 RESTORING BALANCE
Percival
As I looked back and forth between Daisy and Doc, my brows furrowed in confusion. Doc, after setting down his tea, continued to explain. "The issue seems to stem from a combination of factors. The emotional turmoil of losing your pup, the recent death of your brother, and the weakening of your mate bond have all contributed. Your attempted suicide acted as a catalyst, pushing your wolf to emerge more forcefully in an attempt to protect you. You are dealing with depression, and your wolf is compensating by becoming stronger and more feral. The absence of your mate exacerbates the problem."
Doc’s words made my eyes twitch. I could not help but protest. "I am not depressed. I simply had a moment of weakness. If what you say is true, then why hasn’t Edeline experienced this? She went through a great deal of emotional distress while she was here, and I am sure she was depressed for a while."
Doc shook his head, his gaze steady as he looked into my brown eyes. My wolf rumbled uncomfortably within me, not liking the prolonged scrutiny. To distract my wolf, I shook my head and said, "Sorry."
Doc sighed and nodded. "It is alright. Your wolf’s response is natural. You have Alpha blood in you, which means your experience of depression and its impact on your wolf differs from Edeline’s. She does not have the same bond with her wolf. You, on the other hand, do. Your wolf is reacting aggressively because he misses his mate and is trying to compensate for the lack of balance. Your attempted suicide, combined with everything else, has made your human side weaker, and your wolf is aware of this. He has been making frequent appearances, becoming more paternal in response to your desire to reject the pup. This has led to confusion and conflict, impacting your judgment and your relationship with your mate."
Doc’s explanation was honest and direct. "Your wolf needs to be in harmony with you. The dissonance between you two, coupled with the emotional strain, has caused him to act out. You need to align with your wolf and address the underlying issues to restore balance."
The weight of Doc’s words settled heavily on me. It was clear that reconciling with my wolf and addressing my own inner conflicts were crucial for finding peace.
I let out a sharp scoff, my frustration bubbling over. "How can I possibly be on the same page as my wolf? Yes, I want my mate back, but I can’t undo what’s already happened. I admit, these past two weeks have been rough, and I realize I need to work on myself. I want to be better for Edeline, but if I let my wolf’s desires run wild, I might end up tearing anyone who crosses me to shreds. I can’t just give him free rein, but I also can’t confine him completely. He takes control without my consent!” My voice was a mix of anger, desperation, and hopelessness, as if the world was crashing down around me.
Daisy squeezed my hand gently and looked at me with concern. “Percival,” she said softly, “You need to be stronger. Your human side needs to heal. That’s the only way to regain strength from your wolf. He has absorbed your strength, making him twice as powerful. You need to restore that balance.”
I closed my eyes, pressing my head into my hands and gripping my hair tightly. “How the hell do I do that?” My voice was muffled, tinged with frustration and defeat.
As Daisy spoke, I heard the clink of something being placed on the table in front of me. I looked up to find a hot cup of tea waiting for me. “With Doc’s help and mine, you will also need assistance from someone else. Your mother has reached out to her cousin, the Alpha of Dark Moon. He is sending his general to train you. You need a way to heal your mind, and the Dark Moon Alpha has dealt with similar situations before. He believes that physical strength is crucial for your recovery. The general will take a break from training the warriors to help you, while Doc and I will focus on your emotional healing. You will need to place your trust in all three of us to help you regain your strength and achieve harmony with your wolf. You will have to open up to us, fight through your struggles, and become stronger.”
Her words resonated with me, and I lifted my head to see the steaming cup of tea in front of me. The effort they were putting into helping me was evident. My mother’s concern was clear; she had called on her nephew, the Dark Moon Alpha, to send his general for my aid. Dark Moon was known for its fierce reputation, but they were stepping up to help me.
“Do you really think I should be trained by a Dark Moon general?” I asked, my wide eyes fixed on the cup. My voice trembled slightly with uncertainty.
I was scared, worried about what might happen if things did not go as planned. What if I ended up becoming a monster with no control over my actions?
Doc cleared his throat, offering reassurance. “Dark Moon isn’t as harsh as it used to be. Yes, they remain a fierce pack, but the old Alpha Maximus is long gone. His son, Maxim, is the current Alpha. He wouldn’t send someone to help just anyone. You are family, even if it is through a distant connection—your fourth cousin, I believe? Maximus understands what needs to be done. Luna Annabel is confident in this approach.”
My doubts lingered. I wasn’t fully convinced about the plan, but I knew my mother likely meant well.
This was something I had to do, not just for myself but for Edeline. No one else mattered as much in this moment. Moving forward, I would not be responsible for a pack; this was a personal battle, a chance to help my friend feel better. I had to see it through.