Chapter 30 YOU DESERVE SOMEONE BETTER
Edeline
I sighed deeply, my hand trembling as I reached up to turn off the water. As I struggled to stand, I wobbled a bit, my body weak from not eating. My thoughts felt fuzzy, my head was light. A tingling sensation spread through me, like I was about to pass out.
I needed to get a grip and pull myself together.
I looked down at my body—my stomach was sunken, my ribs sticking out. My breasts seemed smaller, too. I felt like I was disappearing.
How could he still find me attractive?
...
After finally managing to get out and dry off, I dressed with a lot of effort, trying not to fall over. I felt completely wiped out, each small task draining my energy. I put on a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a snug red tee, letting my hair dry in loose curls. Sliding into my Converse sneakers, I trudged out of my room and headed to my parents' house. I needed to find my brother and be there for him. He needed me now.
Even though we're not that close in age, our bond is strong. I get what he's going through, even if it's hard.
Friends are special—every wolf knows that from a young age. Well, except maybe Tatiana. She’s different. But you wait patiently for your soulmate, finding and embracing what truly makes you happy. Most wolves get that right away.
As I walked down the dirt road, the sun’s warmth and the breeze on my drying hair brought a bit of calm. When I stepped through the front door, memories of better times hit me. The familiar turquoise door and the willow tree I used to climb as a kid filled me with nostalgia.
“Mom? Dad? Nixx?” I called out, scanning the rooms quickly. I didn’t catch the scent of my parents, but I knew Nixx must be around somewhere.
I bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. My heart was racing, and my mind was buzzing with worry. When I reached his bedroom door, I hesitated for a second, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind my ear.
“Hey, it’s me. Can you open up?” I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
I heard some shuffling from inside, and then the door swung open. His eyes met mine, glistening with tears, their deep, mysterious green shadowed by his emotions. The sadness radiating from him hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt a fierce urge to wrap him in a hug and make everything better.
“Edeline. Where have you been? What happened to you?” His voice cracked as he held the door wide open. I focused on the beige carpet as I stepped inside, sinking down onto his bed. The sheets were a tangled mess, clearly disturbed, and the salty scent on his pillow made my chest ache.
“I’m sorry, Nixx. I lost it when you mentioned Tatiana was your partner last night. I think Percival helped me to bed after that. I just woke up about an hour ago and took a quick shower before coming to find you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though it trembled a little.
He let out a long, shaky breath and gently shut the door behind him. “It’s alright. I was worried about you. How are you holding up?” His sorrowful gaze made my heart ache even more, but I fought to keep it together. He didn’t need to add my mess to his pile of troubles.
I looked up at him, my eyes widening in surprise. “Me? I’m the least of your worries, Nixx. How are you holding up? This whole situation is a disaster! And you don’t look so great!” My wolf whimpered anxiously in the back of my mind, restless and eager to break free. I shook my head gently, trying to calm her down.
He shrugged casually as he tossed on a shirt and plopped down beside me on the bed. “You know what? It’s like Percival just can’t help but screw things up for both of us.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, locking my gaze on him. “Nixx, can’t you see? It’s Tatiana. He missed her heat, and now she’s expecting. Plus, we just found out you’re her mate, which could mean she might not even have alpha blood. Something weird is definitely going on here. We need to talk to Alpha William about it.”
He shook his head, letting out a sharp breath, and gave me a sardonic grin. “I’m not so sure, Edeline. Do you really think he didn’t notice her heat? That seems pretty unlikely. It’s more likely he did notice and acted on his instincts. I’ve sensed a female’s heat before—it’s intense and hard to ignore. Maybe he was just trying to make you feel better by brushing it off.”
I felt a flare of frustration. His words didn’t match the truth I saw in his eyes. It was as if he was trying to convince himself more than me.
“It’s really strange, you know? She’s supposed to be my mate, but I’m not an alpha. I feel lost, Edeline. My wolf is restless, to say the least. And she wouldn’t even talk to me last night. I tried reaching out, but she just ran off in tears.” He sighed deeply, his eyes closing as he shook his head sadly. My heart ached for him. I understood how tough this must be for him, especially with everything surrounding his mate.
I draped my arm over his shoulder, pulling him closer. “Don’t worry, Nixx. It’ll be okay. You deserve someone better than Tatiana anyway.”
“You deserve someone better, too,” he said, glancing at me with a soft look.
I nodded, keeping my lips pressed together. My own doubts about the future gnawed at me, but relying on Percival wasn’t the answer. I wasn’t sure about his family situation, and spending more time with him might just complicate things further. I needed to get better at managing my own wolf too.