Chapter 284 SEEKING EDELINE
Edeline
She squinted, “Don’t be rude!” Then her expression softened as she looked back at me. “We haven’t heard from Edeline either. I just… I want to know she’s okay. It’s been weeks since I last heard from her, and she won’t answer her phone.” A wave of sadness washed over her, and I felt a pang of concern. Why hadn’t Edeline even called her parents?
I rubbed her back gently, trying to reassure her. “I’m sure she’s okay. I’ll try to sort something out. I really need her with me.”
Mirabelle gave me a sad smile and nodded, her gratitude clear in her eyes before I excused myself and cruised around the party.
I made sure to keep a frown off my face as I brushed past wolves who didn’t seem too intimidated by my presence. A couple of accidental snarls slipped out, but I managed to soften my demeanor, offering compliments to the girls about their hair and makeup and giving shoutouts to some guys for those new muscles I had noticed. “Looking good!” I followed Maxim’s advice, and with each compliment and friendly touch, the wolves seemed to puff up with pride. It was nice to see them uplifted.
I didn’t want them to be overly fearful, but I could sense a bit of unease among them, so I quickly let my power show, subtly closing off any discomfort they felt in my presence.
Still, I couldn’t make much progress; my wolf was too dominant for most others, and my human side was too aggressive.
When it was time to grab a bite, I grabbed my plate first. The entire crew watched me, waiting eagerly for me to dig in. As soon as I started, everyone followed suit, and I spotted a spot by Mirabelle, who was hanging out with Maxim, Jazz, and some other wolves.
I quietly pulled Mirabelle aside before I could sit down. I needed to know.
“What’s up?” She frowned, her blonde hair dancing in the breeze as her bright green eyes surveyed the dimly lit corner of the yard.
Clearing my throat, I looked her in the eyes. She glanced away. “Hey, I’m trying to reach Edeline. I know you have her number. I’m not trying to boss you around or anything, just asking as a friend. Please?” I held her gaze with my blue eyes, hoping to convey my sincerity.
She looked around, clearly uneasy. “I’m not really sure, Percival…”
“Come on, Mirabelle.” The hurt in my voice made her shoulders drop.
After a moment’s hesitation, she let out a deep sigh, slumping a bit. She pulled out her phone, looking up at me with her lashes fluttering and lips pursed. “I’ll send it to you. Just make sure to use it wisely,” she said, relenting.
Nodding with relief, I replied, “Thanks, Mirabelle!”
I felt a lot lighter now, though a hint of anxiety still buzzed beneath the surface. It was a welcome shift in my mood as we settled back into our seats.
“Hey, Mirabelle…” Maxim grinned widely, showing off his perfect teeth, and I noticed her cheeks turn a shade of pink. I watched with mild curiosity as he continued, “You should totally swing by my pack sometime. We don’t have anyone as gorgeous as you around.” A playful smile danced on Tatiana’s face as she watched their interaction.
I could totally sense their power radiating off them. Mirabelle was flirting just as much as he was. She really should not be doing that. She had my brother's puppy with her, friend or not.
“Stop.” My voice came out low, causing them to glance up. “I can feel your power, Mirabelle. Just put it away, okay? It is making me feel a bit uneasy. My wolf is really restless right now. And you too, Maxim. Please.” The last part came out as a low mumble, barely above a whisper.
Mirabelle's cheeks turned even redder, her embarrassment obvious at being called out. She always kept her energy to herself—forever. That was, of course, unless she was into a guy. That had not happened since Nixx.
With a sigh, I shot a glare at Maxim, who narrowed his eyes at me. “She is pregnant, Maxim. With my brother's pup. Do not.” My heart raced as I confronted him, tension thickening the air around us.
Mirabelle's jaw dropped. “Hey, Percival!”
“What?” I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Are you embarrassed about the pup?” I raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused. I could not understand why she was so shocked that I brought it up. Everybody was in the loop.
Other wolves glanced her way, their faces twisted in disgust. I was just trying to look out for my brother. Maxim was a buddy and everything, but he really needed to chill out.
Maxim let out a heavy sigh and rolled his eyes. “She is not taken. And Nixx is not interested in her at all.”
Take it easy, X. I heard my wolf’s voice echoing in my head, urging me to relax.
Shaking my head, I grabbed my plate and tossed it into the trash before heading out. I figured I could just trust that Mirabelle would make the right call and carry on with my day. My wolf was not into it, but my human side was itching to throw a punch.
I needed to get out of there.
…
Looking up at the night sky, I noticed the stars twinkling above. I settled onto the front steps of the pack house, where all the wolves had hit the hay by now. I pulled out my phone, hesitating as I checked the message from Mirabelle. Just looking at the number she sent me made my stomach churn.
Suddenly, I felt nervous, my palms growing sweaty. I just wanted to shoot her a quick message.
I started a new text and began typing.
Hey there! Hey, Edeline? It is me... Percival. Can you chat for a bit? I have really been missing you a lot.
Taking a deep breath, I hit send. There was no going back now.
My phone buzzed right away. Heart racing, I opened it up, only to see something that made my heart drop.
Oops, something went wrong. Looks like 555-555-2587 is not a working number.
“Huh?” I said, catching my breath. Had she really turned her phone off already?
I took the screen off and stuffed it back into my pocket, just sitting there with my eyes closed, resting my head in my hands. I felt let down, disappointment creeping in like a shadow.
Out of nowhere, a loud roar filled the air. I jumped up, adrenaline surging through me as I took off running as fast as I could toward the source of the scream. More screaming echoed through the night, pushing me down the dirt road toward the cabins where Mirabelle lived. The chilly air prickled my skin, heightening my senses as I rushed over to catch Nixx yelling at Mirabelle just outside her cabin. Maxim was keeping an eye on her, the two of them standing there in nothing but their underwear.
I instantly frowned, frustration boiling inside me. “What the heck is happening here!?” I shouted, my voice laced with anger. Nixx glanced my way, a hint of his wolf shining through his eyes, veins bulging under his skin. He looked more upset than I had ever seen him.
“What a jerk!” he shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Mirabelle, whose wide eyes were filled with fear. “She was about to hook up with this... this monster before I walked in on them!” His gaze snapped to Maxim, who was glaring back, and then back to Mirabelle, who looked tearful and terrified. “My kid is in there! Seriously, Mirabelle? Can you not just keep it together for a few months?”
Mirabelle’s power flared up as she stepped away from Maxim in her panties and bra, her anger palpable. “I am feeling really frustrated, Nixx! Being pregnant just makes it tougher! You already said you would not be intimate, so what am I supposed to do for nine months? I meet someone who is not from around here and does not mind that I am pregnant, and suddenly I am a bad person? YOU SAID YOU WOULD NOT BE THERE FOR ME! YOU SAID YOU WERE—”
“HOLDING ON FOR TATIANA! Seriously, how hypocritical can you be?! You would ditch Tatiana in a heartbeat, but now that I am pregnant, I cannot enjoy my sexuality?! I am pregnant, not sick! And I am not yours!” Mirabelle yelled, her voice rising so loud it felt painful to hear.
She kind of had a point, I realized, as I stood there caught in the middle of their escalating emotions. I understood where she was coming from. If Nixx was not going to help her and she truly felt the need to seek comfort elsewhere, it made sense. Yet, it was unsettling that she was carrying Nixx’s pup. The thought of a guy who was not the pup's dad getting a bit too cozy with her was troubling. I understood why Nixx was losing it; his wolf was protective. If anyone had dared to mess with Tatiana while she was pregnant, I would have totally freaked out too.
“Enough!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the tension as I glanced at Maxim, who was giving Nixx a serious look.
“Mirabelle,” I said, lowering my voice to a deep, calm tone, “why do you not head inside and do me a solid? Stop poking at Nixx’s wolf. He is already on edge, and we really need to keep him chill.” She looked at me wide-eyed, caught off guard, while I shifted my focus to Maxim.
“Maxim, I know you are into her power and all, but come on, for the pack’s sake, choose someone else. Maybe someone who is actually around.” He huffed, grabbed his clothes, and stormed past me. Mirabelle bumped into my shoulder, her eyes filled with distress as she stared after him, and then her gaze shifted to Nixx, narrowing in suspicion.
“Nixx.” I strolled over to him, noting the way his chest rose and fell with each breath. “Nobody is getting near her. Just go for a run and then head home. I will have someone keep an eye on her cabin, alright?” I locked eyes with him, wrapping my energy around him, urging his wolf to calm down. He shot a nasty glare at Mirabelle before taking off, shifting into his wolf without a second thought, eager to blow off some steam.
Mirabelle stood there, looking at me with pain etched across her face, her anger evident as her chest heaved.
“Percival, are you seriously going to do that? Maxim likes me! I cannot have a mate! Nixx will not help me, so what am I supposed to do!?” she cried, her vulnerability evident. It was unsettling to see her standing there in nothing but her underwear, and I felt a twinge of unease.
Running my hands through my hair, I let out a sigh, trying to find the right words. I met her gaze, searching for a way to ease her frustration. “Hey, Mirabelle, looks like you are expecting!”
I continued, trying to be as gentle as possible, “Got an Alpha's pup, huh? You really should not do anything rash. Maybe grab a vibrator or something. I get it; it is not the best situation, but think about it from his perspective. His pup is inside you, and his wolf does not want anyone else near his pup, especially not another Alpha.”
I knew she might not be a fan of my advice, but I had to keep things chill in this pack. I could not have drama brewing because of a frisky wolf. Maxim was strong, and Nixx was my brother.
Why did being the Alpha have to be such a pain?
…
One more week later
Edeline
Looking out at the pond from my bedroom window, memories of that awful night a week ago flood my mind. Just thinking about Tatiana's lifeless body gives me chills. She was so limp, so cold, her skin had this eerie blue tint.
But what I told her made an impact. Ever since that night, she seems to be feeling a bit better. I mean, she has been munching on food again. She is really giving it a shot. Conor has been putting in a ton of effort to help her out, just like he did for me. I notice she gets up early to hit the training sessions. It is nice to see that he is not coddling her anymore; I think that is pretty cool.
“Is that for me?” I whisper to myself, a small smile creeping onto my face.