Chapter 258 SHADOWS OF JEALOUSY
Tatiana
My wolf lunged for Nixx, her teeth barely a breath away from his throat. That was when he fully let his wolf out to play. This time, he was not just observing; he was ready to fight back. Fangs and claws bared, he faced me head-on.
He managed to keep his wolf in check, but I was beyond that. Not right now.
Even as I flailed, Nixx’s strong hands held my arms against the wall, claws digging into my skin as he bit down on my mark, anchoring me in place.
Suddenly, my wolf came to a complete halt. All the thrashing stopped, and it was like a flower drooping. My body relaxed, submitting to him as my partner.
The wolf in my mind retreated, giving me a jolt as her teeth tossed me out of my corner. Claws and fangs faded away, leaving behind soft whimpers that slipped from my lips. My body shook uncontrollably.
Nixx withdrew his teeth, his wolf-like eyes locked onto me as he scooped me up in his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. I noticed that his teeth and claws were gone too. “Mirabelle, I will be back in a sec. Just let Doc know to hang tight.”
Mirabelle watched us with wide eyes, nodding as her hands rested protectively on her small belly.
Nixx carried me to my room, and I cried into his chest, completely losing it. I could not figure out what was happening to me; my heart felt like it was being torn apart.
Everything was so messed up.
Once we reached my bed, Nixx pulled back slightly, his green eyes searching mine, filled with concern. He looked torn up inside, and I could feel it. My neck ached a bit, but it was the kind of hurt that felt oddly comforting. “Hey, Tatiana, what was that all about?”
I shook my head and wiped my tears away, my hands trembling. “I do not know. My wolf… she wants to kill… I cannot stop her. I just cannot…” My sobs muffled as I covered my mouth, and I felt his hands gently massaging my shoulders, comforting yet heavy with his own turmoil.
He was struggling with this, and I could sense it.
This was what Percival and Edeline had gone through. This was what they dealt with.
“Tatiana, check this out.” His voice wavered at the end, and when I looked up, the pain was etched across his face. “That lipstick… she just gave me a quick peck on the cheek to say thanks. I do not love Mirabelle like you think. She is having my pup, and I am just there for her as a friend. She has made it clear that is all she wants from me. I feel the same way. You are the one I chose. It has always been you. I do feel a connection to the pup as I watch it grow, but there is nothing romantic between us. You need to help your wolf understand that.” His grip on my shoulders softened. “That night, I came to her with a question, and it was about you. I wanted to see you after I left, but we ended up talking about you instead. We decided to grab a few drinks, and I polished off a whole bottle. It turned into a wild night that, unfortunately, strained our relationship, and I will always regret that. But Tatiana… do not let this get to you. We really need each other. You especially need me to get through this month in that cabin. I am doing everything I can to make sure you do not have to go through this again, but with William still holding his title, there is not much I can do right now. Please, let me help you.” His mossy eyes pleaded with me, but I felt completely lost.
He might not be into her, but I could not shake off that annoying jealousy twisting in my gut. I really did not want to get marked. I really did not want this.
Looking up at him, a tear slid down my cheek. “It does not matter,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Percival went through the same stuff you are. Edeline had it even worse than me. It is not looking good for us. Seriously, it is not. Mirabelle has the moon’s favor, and I cannot escape because of this stupid mark! It is driving me nuts, Nixx! Why!? Why… I just want to get out of here! I just want to let you do your own thing! I just want to stop feeling so helpless. Two months in that cabin… I hear my own wolf talking to me, telling me to do things. Wolves do not talk! I am chatting with her… I am seeing images… I… I am losing it!” I sobbed, my emotions spilling over.
Leaning into his chest, tears streamed down my face as he rubbed my back gently. Then, I felt something poke my arm.
Startled, I looked up to see Doc standing there, flashing me an apologetic smile and sharing a nod with Nixx.
I glanced back and forth between the two, totally confused. “Wait, you really asked him to sedate me?”
He shook his head, saying, “No. He was going to give this to you anyway. Tatiana, you are losing it. Your weight is dropping… I will start coming by twice a day to the cabin, and I want you to talk to me… confide in me… let me feed you through the window. I know it isn’t much, but it is all I can do for now.”
I let out a dry laugh, the sound tinged with bitterness. “Oh, you mean until you have to turn me down…”
He frowned, frustration flickering across his face. “I am not rejecting you, Tatiana. Percival has a plan. Just hang tight, okay?”
I felt myself fading away, piece by piece, like I was losing a part of myself in the darkness surrounding me. “I can’t be your buddy anymore. You have a pup that might actually be on the way.” My words were barely a whisper, lost in the heavy silence.