Chapter 250 IN THE MOMENT
Edeline
“I am sorry. I did not mean to,” he said, his eyes closed as if he were bracing for rejection.
“That is fine,” I managed to say, my voice trembling. “We were both in the moment. It is okay.” I cleared my throat, trying to ease the awkward tension that hung between us. “Let’s forget about this. I am a female mate.”
I did what I could to lighten the mood, hoping to ease the strange feelings bubbling up between us. But as I looked at him, I could see the guilt in his eyes. He looked away, unable to meet my gaze, and I felt a pang of sadness for him.
“I am really sorry.”
His voice was filled with regret. “The memories just made me think.”
I let out a choked laugh and replied, “It is okay. Really. Just go get your kid, Conor. Save her. She is in a cabin on the north side of the land, close to the border and a mile from Pack. You will not even need help. It has a silver lock. Get her out. Bring tools and help.”
As he calmed down, I spoke firmly, wanting him to understand the urgency.
He shifted back to being serious. “Thank you, Edeline. You are a wonderful person. That is what I want you to know.”
Before he left, I pulled him in for one last hug, feeling the weight of the moment as I watched him go out to save Tatiana from what might be death, if it had not already happened.
My wolf was furious with me, a storm brewing inside because my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I just kissed him? I was still shocked that he had kissed me back. It had been a nice kiss, soft and sweet. Not driven by passion, just a kiss, but still… it felt significant.
What was I thinking?
It was crazy. I flopped back onto my bed, tangled in my emotions. When I turned off the lamp beside me, I could hear the trucks outside starting up, the rumble of engines echoing as they drove off into the night.
I felt stupid for letting that happen. Now there would be stress.
I reflected on the things he had said about being afraid before he kissed me. He always blamed Maximus for how he treated Cilla, but now he knew it was his fault for not standing up to Maximus.
He had done the same thing with Tatiana, just like William had done to Percival. And Anita had done the same thing to Tatiana.
William, Tatiana, and Percival had all been told what to do to get what they wanted or to avoid trouble, and they complied. Hugo had done the same thing to Conor that he had done to William and Percival.
It was a vicious cycle.
One that had been done to him.
William. Now he was doing the same thing to Nixx, pressuring him to turn down his mate.
Being with your partner was something William had always cared deeply about. He was sounding more and more like Maximus now.
As everyone went against the moon, chaos reigned. They would all pay for it.
When I touched my lips, I forgot about my black eyes and badly bruised face. I had forgotten about my scar.
I gave him a kiss.
I kissed him back after he kissed me.
I was cheating on my partner even when I was not with them. As I pulled the covers up over my body, tucking them under my chin, shame washed over me.
This had to be fixed. I needed to let him know it would not happen again.
…
Two Months Down the Line
Percival
It is early morning, and the air is still a bit dewy. The sun is creeping up over the horizon, light spilling through the fog and fading away as the coolness lingers in the air. Almost bare trees surround the open meadow where warriors used to train, leaving the far western part wide open. You can see it from really far away; it is a huge field. Colorful leaves in various shades are scattered across the ground, a clear sign that autumn is in full swing. Just one month to go until winter kicks in, and it is getting chillier each day.
I spot Gaspar giving me a hard time from across the training field. His dark eyes dare me to make a move. He is almost twice my age at forty and has way more experience. But I have the power, you know? The Alpha blood, huh?
Gaspar is the General of Dark Moon, sent over by my distant cousin, Alpha Maxim, to help me out because my mom asked him to. If only she had known who was on their way.
He wears a smirk that I really want to wipe away. My wolf itches to tear his throat out, but I have to keep those instincts in check. I keep reminding myself that he is the one who helped me get better. My wolf is aware of that.
“Hey, what is up, little pup?” Gaspar shouts, his chocolate eyes sparkling with mischief as that cheeky grin reappears. “I am just hanging out here. Are you coming to get me or what? Or are you still thinking about that friend of yours? What is her name again?” He pretends to ponder it, and I can feel my wolf getting mad.
Gaspar has his arms crossed over his big, tattooed chest, and today we are skipping shirts since we sometimes shift to fight. Just shorts. We can handle the weather.
“Oh yeah! Edeline... I bet she is a total knockout. She is probably with Conor right now.” His smirk is playful, but it stings.
I feel my defenses drop, letting my wolf show up as anger bubbles inside me like a raging furnace. My hands turn into fists, and I grind my teeth as I lock eyes with him, my gaze filled with pure hatred. He has not tried this line out yet. It is a sensitive topic, Edeline.
“Yeah...” His smirk shifts into a grin. “I bet that attractive girl knows how to give a good—”