Chapter 31 SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Edeline
Nixx and I lay down together, wrapped in a cozy embrace. We mourned our lost companions, our sorrows mingling in the heavy, still air. We stayed there, lost in our shared grief, the weight of our troubles pressing down on us.
After a while, I broke the silence. “Nixx, you really should go see Alpha William.”
He looked at me, his emerald eyes meeting mine with a distant, thoughtful gaze. “Oh, I plan to. But I think it’s best to wait until I’m in a better place mentally before I tackle that. I want to be more stable before facing it,” he said, his voice quiet and reflective.
We lay there in silence, our hands intertwined, as the sun slowly rose, bathing the room in a warm, comforting light. No words were needed. Everything seemed to lose its significance in that moment.
About an hour later, my stomach rumbled, and Nixx chuckled softly. “Why don’t you go grab some food and enjoy the rest of the day? I’d like some time to myself.” His eyes had softened, and he seemed genuinely glad I’d come by. I decided to skip packing a lunch since Alpha William, Percival, and Darius would be around. Instead, I opted to raid my parents’ fridge.
I reluctantly picked up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, forcing myself to eat. Percival had been right—my body was deteriorating. Even though he still found me attractive, I was desperate to put on some weight. I’d lost nearly 25 pounds, and it was completely unnecessary. I felt every bite like a chore, but I needed the energy.
Just as I finished the sandwich, the front door swung open. Mom stood there, her gaze fixed on me, her face a blank mask. I could almost feel the whirl of emotions swirling around her.
“Mom? What’s wrong?” I asked, concern tightening my brows as I walked over to her. She closed the door behind her, managed a strained smile, and hugged me tightly, her arms trembling slightly.
“It’s nothing, sweetheart. I’m just really stressed about everything with you and Nixx. Your father’s been in a terrible mood. I don’t know how much longer he can hold it together before he loses his temper. He’s pushing Alpha William to make his son do the right thing, but your father doesn’t realize that he’s…” Her voice trailed off, and she gave me a sad smile before rubbing her eyes with a weary sigh.
It was clear Mom had spent a sleepless night, her mind racing with worries about Dad, Alpha William, and Luna Annabel. She looked utterly exhausted.
“Mom, you really need to rest. I’m heading out now. I don’t think Nixx wants any interruptions, but you can go see him if you want. Love you.” I pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek before heading for the door. She looked so downcast, her heart seeming to break along with ours. But she shouldn’t feel guilty—she didn’t deserve to carry that weight.
As I walked along the dusty, sunlit path toward the grassy field near the pack house, I felt a deep sense of disorientation. I had no one to talk to... except for Darius. The public ban from Alpha William was getting to me. Frustration simmered beneath the surface, adding to my already bubbling anger.
I had a pretty good idea where to find Darius—the spot we always went to. A smile tugged at my lips as I picked up the pace, heading toward the cliffs at the edge of the woods. I was sure he’d be there. No one else went to that spot... except for Percival.
We had to be careful not to be seen. The thought of Percival discovering I was hanging out with my best friend wasn’t exactly thrilling, but I wanted to avoid another argument. Alpha William would definitely have words for me if he found out I’d disobeyed his command.
My stomach finally started settling as the food digested. I couldn’t help but grin as Darius’s scent hit my nose, growing stronger with every step I took.
Almost there.
I sprinted up the path toward the stream at the summit, my wolf’s excited yips echoing in my mind. The scent of Darius was all around me, getting stronger with every step. He was definitely here.
“Darius?” I gasped, my breath coming in ragged bursts from the run. I leaned over, hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath and steady myself.
“Edeline,” his voice resonated from behind me. I spun around, finding him standing there with a forced smile. His eyes, soft and gentle, seemed to welcome me.
Without a second thought, I sprinted toward him and jumped into his embrace. The moment his arms wrapped around me, a wave of emotion crashed over me, and I couldn’t hold back the tears.
I buried my face in his shoulder, letting the tears flow as he comforted me with soothing words and a gentle hand rubbing my back.
“Hey there. No need to cry. What’s troubling you, Edeline?” His warm breath tickled my neck. I pulled back, wiped my eyes, and looked down at the ground between us, shaking my head with a faint, sad smile.
“I’m feeling lost, Darius. Everything’s so chaotic, and I miss being able to see you,” I said, my voice trembling.
He sighed deeply, his blue eyes locking onto mine with a look of shared frustration. “Me too. It’s incredibly unfair that my dad is siding with Percival. None of this is right. Percival should be the one facing consequences, not you. He’s the one who’s been unpredictable and caused all this trouble. He should be punished for what he’s done to you,” his eyes turned icy with anger.
If Percival had been paired with another she-wolf from our pack, he’d have faced serious consequences. Every pack has its own rules, but wolves are expected to adhere to common laws. His actions, especially involving another female, were against our pack’s norms, though they might be viewed differently elsewhere. Those deceitful packs were no better.