Chapter 278 THE BETTER WOLF
Edeline
The truth hit me like a punch to the gut.
Nothing lasts forever. And maybe that’s just how it goes.
…
After the shower, I dried off and got dressed, deciding I should stop by Tatiana’s room. She needed support. Everything she’s been through—losing her family, her life torn apart. Conor’s really the only good thing in her world right now, and I felt for her.
Whatever happened between us, she’s already served her time. But the moon isn’t done with us yet.
Quietly, I slipped out of my room. On instinct, I glanced toward Conor’s door, squinting at it for a moment. But I pushed down the urge to knock and turned toward Tatiana’s room instead.
When I reached her door, I gave a light knock on the wooden frame.
“Come in,” came her soft voice from the other side.
I took a deep breath and opened the door, slipping inside and closing it gently behind me.
The room smelled faintly of lavender, and the pink walls felt too familiar, like I’d been here a hundred times before. A bed draped in soft white lace sat at the center, untouched. Tatiana was curled up on the bay window seat, her back to me, staring out at the pond beyond the southeast side of the house.
She looked so small—just like the day she arrived. No matter how much time had passed, she hadn’t changed.
"Hey," I said quietly, stepping closer. Her blonde hair was piled messily on top of her head, and she was wearing a hoodie and sweatpants that seemed to swallow her whole frame.
She didn’t move, her gaze locked on the pond outside, where the sunset reflected off the water in soft, stormy colors. The sky was shifting—storm clouds rolling in as the last bit of sunlight dipped below the horizon.
For a second, I just stood there, unsure of what to say. Finally, I sat down beside her on the window seat, stretching my legs out beside hers.
“How are you doing?” I asked, reaching out to gently rub her hand. Her fingers were cold and thin beneath mine.
Tatiana didn’t look at me. Her eyes stayed fixed on the pond, as if everything outside that window mattered more than anything inside this room.
I looked back at Tatiana and noticed a single tear sliding down her cheek. Her bottom lip, cracked and trembling, twitched like she was holding back more.
"I'm dying inside," she whispered, barely loud enough to hear.
I knew that feeling all too well—the way it gnaws at you, like standing at the edge of a cliff, and the wind just keeps pulling you closer to the drop.
I squeezed her hand, grounding both of us, and gave her a small nod, encouraging her to look at me. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Her chocolate-brown eyes—red and swollen around the edges—met mine.
"What’s on your mind?" I asked softly, careful not to push too hard.
Her head dropped again, and her shoulders caved inward like she wanted to disappear. She let out a small, ragged sob, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I miss him so much," she whispered, her voice cracking mid-sentence. "I can’t stop thinking about him... my wolf. And I don’t know what he’s doing—if he’s okay. I’m going crazy with all these questions... all these thoughts."
She tilted her tear-streaked face toward me, and something clicked in my mind.
This wasn’t just her missing someone. It was the not knowing that was tearing her apart—the unanswered questions filling every silent moment with doubt. I’d seen it before. I’d felt it before. When you're not with the one you trust most, your mind spirals into worst-case scenarios.
I tried to keep my expression neutral, but I knew what she feared. She thought Percival—her bonded wolf—might be slipping away from her. And what hurt even more? She had no way of knowing for sure.
But I did. I knew where he stood. I knew he hadn’t shared a bed with anyone since they bonded—not even once with Tatiana, though she didn’t seem to realize that.
"Tatiana," I murmured gently, trying to catch her attention. My tone softened with each word.
Her gaze flickered to me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"My brother and Mirabelle?" I said carefully. "They’re just friends. There’s nothing between them—not like that." I hoped she’d believe me, but doubt still clung to her features like a shadow.
She sniffled and swiped at her face with her sleeve, but the puffiness around her red-rimmed eyes lingered. "But they were together once," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "What if... what if it happens again? What if they...?" Her voice trailed off, shaky and uncertain, lost in the questions plaguing her.
She was tougher than I used to think—more complicated, too. There was a time I didn’t like her much, thought she was spoiled and fragile, a product of the way she’d grown up. Her father had treated her like she was made of glass, and a witch had raised her to be wary of the world. But I’d come to realize that wasn’t what she wanted. She didn’t need protection; she needed connection.
And I finally understood what might help her. Something that had helped me.
Our eyes locked for a long moment—her brown gaze meeting mine, as steady as a heartbeat. "You know, you should try hitting the gym," I said, my tone light but sincere. "Sometimes, the physical pain... it makes everything else easier to handle. It clears your head, at least for a while."
Her brow lifted slightly, and a glimmer of curiosity slipped through her sadness. "That’s what helped you?" she asked, tilting her head. Then, with a sheepish smile, her cheeks warmed. "I thought... I thought it was spending time with your dad that got you through things. Like... being around him made it easier."
I chuckled under my breath and shook my head. "I thought so too, at first." My gaze drifted to the pond she’d been staring at earlier, the surface smooth and reflective like a mirror. "But... things change." The words came out quieter than I intended, my voice carrying a tinge of regret I hadn’t meant to show.
Tatiana’s gaze stayed on me, sharp and searching, as if she was piecing together a puzzle I didn’t even know I was part of.
"You’re good for him," she said after a beat, her tone thoughtful, almost hesitant.
I frowned, confused by her words. "What?"
She blushed deeper, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "I mean... the way he is with you. I’ve never seen him act like that before—not even with me." She glanced away briefly, as if embarrassed. "That night when I first came... I saw it. There was this spark in his eyes when he looked at you."
Her gaze flicked back to mine, and I could tell she wasn’t lying—just uncertain.
I shook my head, brushing off the thought. "Tatiana... I’m mated. Your dad is way too old for me, and I’m younger than you, even." I crossed my arms, trying to keep my voice steady. "He’s my friend. That’s all."
But the next words slipped out, low and frustrated. "Besides... he’s been avoiding me. Lately, it feels like he’s spending all his time with someone else."
Tatiana gave a soft laugh, the sound surprising us both. "You mean Rasheda?" she asked with a grin. "Or maybe Shae?" She rolled her eyes, amused. "They’re just friends with benefits for him. Part of the pack." She leaned in conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "They used to hook up when they got lonely, but trust me, it doesn’t mean anything. Dad’s not the type to settle down with someone like her. And Shae? She wouldn’t, either."
Her cheeks went bright red again, and she let out an awkward laugh.
"Hook up?" I raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-curious.
Tatiana nodded with a knowing look.
“Hey, Shae... Shae!” I muttered, the name rolling awkwardly off my tongue. I hadn’t known about her before now, but... now that I did? Yeah, I could recognize her scent every time I walked into his room. If Conor was too stubborn to admit what was going on, I’d figure it out soon enough. His smell always gave him away.
"Edeline?" Tatiana’s voice was soft, almost hesitant. I glanced over at her, catching that familiar gentleness in her expression.
"I know you’ve got someone in your life," she murmured, studying me with a mix of understanding and something else—hope, maybe. "But... I can’t help but notice how my dad looks at you. You remind him of Mom in ways that..." She trailed off, rubbing her arm nervously. "I know that’s probably weird to hear. But... could you just be there for him over the next few weeks?" Her gaze drifted back to the still pond, the reflection of trees wavering in the water. "He’s going to need some support. Even if it’s just as friends."
There was a flicker of vulnerability in her voice, the kind you can’t fake.
"I know you’ve got Percival," she went on quietly, "and he really cares about you. Like... I’ve never seen anyone care like that before. But my dad’s going to need you, Edeline. Even if it’s not like that."
Something about the way she said it made my chest tighten. It was almost like she could sense something on the horizon, something her father was about to face.
I checked the clock and cursed under my breath. "I need to get going, Tatiana. I’m already late for dinner." I stood up and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I’ll be around if your dad needs me... We’re friends, after all." My voice wavered at the end, and I knew it sounded less confident than I’d hoped. "But... honestly, I don’t think he’ll want me around much anymore. I’ve messed things up with him pretty bad."
I pressed my lips together, unsure if I was trying to convince her or myself.
"But..." I held her gaze, my hand lingering on hers for just a second longer. "Just remember, you’re the one who matters here. Not Nic. Not Mirabelle. You." I let out a breath, slow and steady. "You can shake off your mark if you need to. I can’t... So, consider yourself lucky."
I stood, forcing a smile onto my face, and headed for the door.
"Hey, Edeline?"
Her voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned, and there she was, those big brown eyes full of something raw—something real.
"Thanks..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "For being the better wolf. And... I’m sorry about everything that went down." She glanced away, biting her lip like the words had taken more courage than she’d expected. "I really appreciate you giving me another chance."
Her lips twitched into a small, hesitant smile, and despite myself, I found one spreading across my face too.
"Hey, Tatiana," I said softly, "you’ve got a good heart—like a real wolf. Just... remember to stand up for yourself, okay? And seriously," I added with a playful smirk, "try to eat something for your dad’s sake."
She gave me a little nod, her voice barely a murmur. "I’ll give it a shot."
…
Edeline
By the time I strolled into the dining hall, I was running even later than I’d thought. I made my way toward my usual spot—the one right next to Conor’s seat at the head of the table. The beta’s chair.
There was this one night, during some celebration, when I’d ended up in the Luna’s seat by accident. It had felt... strange, like I was wearing someone else’s skin for a moment. Conor had laughed it off and told me to take the beta’s chair since he hadn’t officially assigned one yet. We were close like that—just friends, comfortable with each other. But I hadn’t expected him to show up tonight. Not after avoiding me all week.
Guess I was wrong.
Conor was here, alright—sitting comfortably at the head of the table. But what really made my stomach twist was who sat beside him.
The Luna’s spot, usually left empty, was now occupied.
It had to be Rasheda... or Shae.
The woman sitting beside Conor was stunning—effortlessly so. Her caramel-brown skin shimmered under the soft glow of the overhead lights, and her jet-black curls spilled down her back in soft waves. She was about my height, but those sleek black stilettos gave her a few extra inches, making her look impossibly tall. Her long legs seemed to go on forever as she sauntered over to him, her every movement smooth and deliberate.
I clenched my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms.