Chapter 43 MOVED BACK HOME
Edeline
We were among the first to arrive, just behind Alpha William and his family, including Darius and Percival. And guess what? The woman who had taken so much from me was sitting right across from Z. At least she wasn’t sitting next to him.
When Z’s eyes met mine, they widened in surprise. There was something about the way he looked at me that made my heart race—a magnetic pull I couldn’t ignore. I shivered with a mix of delight and apprehension as our gazes locked.
Suddenly, I snapped out of my daze and noticed Darius giving me a serious look. He pushed his chair back from the table with a loud scraping sound and leaned in to speak quietly to his dad. Alpha William nodded, and Darius walked over to where Nixx and I were seated, with me at the very end.
He’s not supposed to be anywhere near me!
It seemed Darius had asked his dad for permission to join us. Percival’s disapproving expression confirmed it wasn’t a popular decision.
Darius settled down next to me in the farthest corner, moving in close to speak softly. As he did, I caught a whiff of his cologne. He hardly ever wore it—scent sensitivity was common among us. His presence was unsettling, and I couldn’t help but feel uneasy as he leaned in.
“Edeline. Hey, long time no see!” Darius said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. “I was surprised to hear from your dad that you moved back home. What’s been going on?” His intense gaze and the frustration in his voice hinted at his disappointment that I’d left, but given my current state, it didn’t really faze me. I knew I hadn’t been the best friend to Darius lately, and it weighed on me, but I had my own stuff to deal with. It felt like people always forgot about me when they needed something.
I sighed, trying to find the right words. “It’s been tough living there. We’re not even supposed to be seen together. Sneaking around and hiding our scents is a real challenge. All I wanted was to be home with Nixx. I’m sorry. We’re both going through a rough patch right now. I didn’t mean to keep you in the dark, but last night, before I went to bed, I decided to move out this morning. That was it,” I said, my voice carrying a mix of frustration and apology.
Darius looked me over, his gaze softening as he took in my appearance. A gentle smile spread across his face. “I get it, Edeline. But I’m still your best friend. Sneaking off with me and trying to hide your scent might be tough, but it’s even harder with two wolves instead of one.” His eyes held a sad, understanding look as he stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets, and walked back to his seat.
I watched him go, the spot where he’d been sitting now feeling oddly empty. My lips parted slightly, my pulse quickening with a mix of relief and anxiety.
He knows I’ve been catching up with Percival...
Yeah, he knows.
I could feel a tingle on my skin as Percival’s gaze bore into me. I wanted to find a place to hide—my room seemed like the safest spot right now.
Darius would be pretty upset. He’s not a fan of me embarrassing myself like that, especially with Percival. He still hasn’t found his partner! It’s like he just doesn’t get it.
Nixx and I relaxed while the rest of the pack filtered in, filling up the six tables that each fit twenty wolves. We had about 120 pack members, a small number, but enough for everyone to know your business. The kids were home, watching over their siblings. Including them, we had around 150 people in our group.
After everyone had settled, Alpha William took his place at the front of the room. “Hey everyone, I’m sure you’re all curious about why I’ve called this mandatory dinner meeting.”
The room buzzed with nods and murmurs of “yes sir” as I quickly drank the ice-cold water from my cup, hoping this situation had nothing to do with me.
“So,” Alpha William continued, and I instinctively grabbed Nixx’s hand. His gaze met mine briefly before scanning the room again.
“I wanted to address something that seems to be common knowledge among most of you. Nixx and Tatiana, as well as Edeline and Percival, are in relationships. It’s unfortunate how things have unfolded, but I called this meeting to make it clear that it’s not your concern. I’ve noticed some of you asking questions, but I want to emphasize that this is a personal matter between mates, not something that involves the entire pack. I expect everyone to keep quiet about this delicate situation, both within our pack and with wolves from other packs. Is that understood? Anyone who chooses not to follow my instructions will face consequences.”
As he finished his speech, I was taken aback. Although I felt a twinge of embarrassment, the calming effects of the blue pill kept it at bay.
Everyone responded with a chorus of “yes sir” and “yes Alpha” as if on cue. I just wanted to blend into the background at that moment. I decided to wrap myself in a metaphorical cloak, hoping it would keep others from seeing beyond the surface of my discomfort.
Then, a chair scraped back loudly, drawing everyone's attention. Across the room, an adult man stood up with an air of confidence. “Hey, Alpha, this is our business because Percival is supposed to be our future Alpha. He messed up, and we can’t afford to have our pack labeled as a moon-shattering pack if he mates with someone other than his chosen mate!” The guy’s voice was raised, his fist slamming down on the table.
I couldn’t help but smile inwardly at his words. My pack understood the gravity of Alpha William’s sacrifice. We were keenly aware that our actions would be scrutinized, not just by other packs, but by the moon herself.