Chapter 288 FACING THE MOON
Edeline
My heart dropped into my stomach, leaving me breathless.
“The bleeding’s under control now,” he added. “Conor’s been by her side the whole time.”
A wave of sorrow washed over me. Mirabelle wanted that pup so badly—it wasn’t just about the baby. She wanted someone to love, someone who would love her back. I really believed the moon would give that to her. And now? Now it was gone, and I hadn't been there for her.
I should have been a better friend.
“What was the point of the moon giving her that pregnancy, only to take it away?” I whispered, more to myself than anyone.
Maxim’s face grew grim. “Your brother’s not doing well, Edeline.” He leaned forward, his eyes steady and serious. “He figured out what’s going on. And now, your parents are worried about how much sanity he’s got left.”
My chest tightened.
“He’s going through the same stuff Percival did,” Maxim warned, his voice low. “They’re watching him, but… you might want to think about going back to Praimfaya Moon. Your family needs you.”
“My crew needs me?” I tried to sound nonchalant, but I couldn’t hide my worry.
Maxim shook his head. “No, Edeline. Your brother needs you. He’s spiraling. And you need to get there before he ends up like Percival…”
The mention of Percival hit me like a punch to the gut. Suicide. It felt like a ghost lingering over us all, a heavy reminder of how things can go so, so wrong.
But the idea of going back home made my stomach twist with anxiety. What if I wasn’t ready? What if seeing everyone again tore me apart? What if they didn’t forgive me for leaving?
I shook my head frantically, my breath quickening. “N-no. I can’t. Not right now.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “Can’t you just bring Nixx here? Or… or let my parents visit? Please?” My voice cracked, making me cringe. “I’m not ready to go back.”
Deep down, I knew why I was avoiding it. Being near Percival, with my heat on the horizon, felt dangerous. Too dangerous.
Maxim’s eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms. “It’s time to grow up, Edeline.” His tone was firm—Alpha firm. “I’m telling you, as your Alpha: pack your stuff. You’re going home tonight.”
His words hit me hard, almost knocking the breath out of me. The weight of his command settled over me like a chain I couldn’t break.
I slouched in my chair, feeling tears sting my eyes. I fought them back with everything I had.
This is what it means to be a warrior. You don’t cry. You handle it.
But the thought of seeing Percival again… it twisted something deep inside me. I had hoped we could talk it out, that maybe we could find some closure. Maybe I could even forgive him. But part of me wasn’t sure.
What if he hadn’t changed? What if there was still another girl?
The thought of facing that rejection again, of him being with someone else, made my heart clench painfully.
And with my heat coming? I knew I wouldn’t survive it—not again.
Maxim’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Get your things.” His gaze softened, but the authority in his voice remained. “You’re strong, Edeline. But you can’t stay here forever.”
I nodded weakly, sliding my chair back. “Sure thing.” My voice came out small, almost lost.
As I walked toward my room, a heavy weight settled in my chest, the kind that no amount of strength could lift. Anxiety clawed at me like a wild thing, but I squared my shoulders and forced myself to move forward.
I’m strong. I’ve proven that. I belong here—at the warriors' table.
But the thought of seeing Percival again left me feeling fragile. Weak, even.
And I hated that feeling more than anything.
…
Edeline
The trees zipped by, a vibrant mix of reds, oranges, browns, and a splash of green. The sun began to dip below the treetops, casting a warm orange glow that spread colors all over the sky.
Without sunglasses on, that bright sunshine blinded one side of my face. I kept my eyes glued to the window, trying to hide my expression from Maxim.
I was not crying, but it sure felt like I could have been. A nervous, anxious feeling knotted my stomach. I had no idea what awaited me on the other side—who would be bummed out with me? If I ran into Percival, I knew exactly what I would do.
Then there was the memory of Darius. I had to check out his grave eventually. I never thought of him as a bad wolf, and all the feelings I had kept inside about him were definitely going to come out the moment I set foot on pack land.
This was my fourth move this year, shifting my stuff from one spot to another. But this time, I was heading back home.
“Hey, you good over there?” Alpha Maxim's deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I glanced at him before turning back to the trees whizzing by. “Yeah, I am good,” I replied quietly.
A sigh escaped him. “Edeline, I hope you understand why I am doing this. It is time to face the music. You have been dodging it for so long—running away, letting the wolves do your bidding. But I will not. Percival is my friend, and with your heat coming up, you really need to be home. I know your whole story, even the parts you have not figured out yet. Trust me; this is the right move. It has been six months. You have changed a lot, or so I have heard. How do you know Percival has not changed? You have been avoiding your family, your friends, the people who care about you. Edeline, you need to step up and realize that maybe running away was not the best choice.” His voice was deep but gentle.
I felt my jaw tighten as anger bubbled up inside me. I turned to look at him, giving him a glare with my bright green eyes. “I had to bounce!” I yelled. “I would still be a weak wolf if I did not! I have come a long way! I figured out who I am! I have done things I never could have if I had just stayed!” I looked at him, disbelief in my eyes.
He shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. “But did you really have to push everyone away like that? No, you did not. Your parents are worried sick because you will not just pick up the phone, and Mirabelle and your brother have been counting on you!” He shot back, his usual commanding tone fading. So there we were, just two wolves chatting it up.
Sighing, I shook my head and crossed my arms, leaning back in my seat. Tears welled up as I stared out the window. He totally had a point.
Mirabelle had gone through something rough without me. So had Nixx. My parents were dealing with the fallout from William’s betrayal of the whole pack. How was he still the Alpha, though? But I was really proud of Tatiana for growing stronger, for bringing Mirabelle in, and for supporting her through everything. She was a good wolf now. Mirabelle was still expecting when she made friends with Tatiana, introducing her to their crew.
That was the most females I had ever seen in one place. And I was a bit of a scaredy-cat.
I checked out the braided leather bracelet on my wrist, running my fingers over the silver disc in the middle. Tatiana had helped me grow in a strange way, but I was not finished yet.
“It is alright to feel bitter, Edeline. But now, it is time to move on from the past.” Max's voice was soft.
Wiping away my tears, I nodded, not really in the mood to chat anymore.
The forty-five-minute drive felt like it flew by, and before I realized it, we were rolling into the Crescent Pack's driveway.
The gravel drive stretched for more than half a mile, and I was sweating the whole way through. Anxiety twisted my stomach into knots, to the point where I felt like I might throw up.
Maxim glanced at my trembling hands and gently placed his hand on my arm, rubbing my fur in little circles with his thumb. “Chill out. Everything is going to be alright.”
I nodded without really thinking as we rolled up to that super familiar pack house—the one I had left six months ago.
Would anyone even recognize me? I had changed so much that I barely recognized myself anymore.
Maxim parked the car and turned off the engine. I took a deep breath, letting it out with a little shake as I gripped the door handle.
“You should go see the Alpha. He has no idea you are here. I just mentioned I was dropping by, but you really have to let him know you are back for good.” I looked up at Maxim, who wore a sly grin.
“Alright,” I replied, swinging the door open and hopping out. My feet touched the ground, and my wolf went wild inside, yapping and frolicking—something she had not done in ages. She was feeling something.
I stood there for a moment, letting the sun blaze down on me from behind, still figuring out how to sink into the sky. The air was cool, but it felt a bit warmer than the jacket I had on. I decided to take it off, now just in a snug black t-shirt and my yoga capris. I tossed the jacket onto the seat before closing the door.
As I looked around, I spotted my mom. She came running up to me with my dad right behind her, both of them grinning from ear to ear, tears glistening in their eyes.
“My pup is back!” Mom exclaimed, rushing toward me. She wrapped her arms around me snugly, and Dad joined in, pulling us both close. A warm, happy feeling blossomed inside my heart. I held back my emotions, resting my head on her shoulder while they held me tight.
“Sorry, Mom... Dad. I did not keep in touch,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around them like the sun sinking down behind the horizon, the moon popping out above, grinning down at us.
“Edeline, do not ever do that again,” Dad said gruffly. “You really had us worried there.”
As we pulled apart, I sniffled, and Mom gently wiped away a tear from my cheek that I had not even realized was there. Chuckling a bit and feeling shy, I nodded and stared into Dad's eyes. “I will not, Dad. I am sorry. I just... I needed to figure things out.” I pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and right away, my parents’ eyes went wide.
Dad took hold of my arm and turned it so my inner bicep faced him. There, bold and black, was a tattoo of a skilled warrior staring right back at him. His eyes widened, and Mom gasped, covering her mouth. Both of them looked at my symbol, then back at me, curiosity sparkling in their expressions.
“Wait, you are a warrior? From the north and south?” Dad asked, sounding genuinely amazed. I gave a little nod and tried to pull my arm back, but he held on tight. A proud sparkle lit up his eyes. “Edeline... not many wolves in North America have this...” he said with a grin.
Suddenly, I felt like all eyes were on me. I was not really into the attention, but my wolf totally was.
I could feel Maxim right behind me as he moved ahead. “She really put in the effort for that. In just six months, she got that tattoo. She showed everyone in my pack what she was made of. She came to me with the beginner symbol and earned every canine on it.” He spoke with pride. “She totally shattered every bone in her body trying it, but she went for it and even wanted to do more.” I could hear the admiration in his voice.
Dad released my arm. “You are almost eighteen! That is a big deal, Edeline. Seriously, that is impressive for anyone.” He laughed and pulled me into his arms again.
Mom was in tears, but the biggest smile lit up her face. “My little girl is such a tough cookie. I cannot believe it!”
Maxim laughed from the back. “Hey Edeline, it is time to flaunt that tattoo! The pack should see the real you now.”
Dad let me go again, and I could not help but laugh as I shook my head. “I do not need to show off.”