Chapter 58 PRIMAL CONNECTION
Edeline
Once we reached the house, I shifted back and rushed around to the back deck, where we kept spare clothes for emergencies. I quickly threw on a hoodie and basketball shorts, feeling a bit of relief as I tucked the box into my front pocket. I pulled out the necklace and settled onto the top step of the back porch.
The full moon bathed the intricate pattern of the locket in silver light, and I could clearly see the anchor at its center. I ran my fingers over the surface, lost in thought...
Why did he say he loved me?
Why now?
Meeting him a few times might not have been the best decision, but I already knew that.
I knew getting attached would only lead to more heartache, but the allure of self-inflicted pain was irresistible. Hanging out with a buddy... it was complicated to describe.
I’d always wondered why some wolves chose to reject their mate by mating with others. It wasn’t just a simple rejection; it felt like a deep, almost primal connection to the original partner. Even after getting involved with someone new, the pull towards the first mate remained.
But it was never the same. Those feelings for your original partner just couldn’t be compared or replaced. Forever etched in your heart.
I carefully placed the necklace around my neck, letting it dangle gracefully in the center of my chest. Just the right length to keep it discreet. Percival was pretty clever.
I took a deep breath, tilting my head back to soak in the moon’s radiant glow.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of wood creaking and saw a figure standing at the bottom of the stairs, hidden in the shadows. My heart raced with fear as the figure approached, but once I recognized him, my heartbeat returned to normal.
Darius stood there, observing me with his head tilted to the side. I furrowed my brow and leaned forward.
“Hey! You totally caught me off guard. What’s up?” I said, watching him climb the stairs with a bit of unease. He settled next to me on the back step, and I hoped I had managed to mask most of the smell. I wanted to keep this to myself, though I felt comfortable sharing other things with him.
“Hey, Edeline, long time no see!” he greeted, his curiosity evident in his eyes and a faint smile on his lips.
I let out a sigh and chuckled. “Oh, you know, just howling at the moon…”
“Haha,” he laughed. “We all heard it. Hey, I’m really sorry about tonight… about my dad. But did you know you really got to Tatiana?” His eyes widened as he tried to hide his smirk.
I was taken aback, thinking, "I know I got a bit carried away, but... is she…?" I raised my eyebrows, seeking clarification.
He shook his head quickly. “Oh, don’t worry about it! She’ll be just fine. Maybe she’ll need a bandage for a while, but there won’t be any lasting damage. And Percival’s pup is doing great too!”
I had mixed feelings. It was kind of amusing how he said "Percival’s pup" instead of "her pup" or "the dog." It was like he wanted to remind me.
We sat there for a moment, gazing up at the moon. I leaned my back against the railing, stretching my feet out in front of me.
After giving him a quick once-over, I spoke. “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about what you mentioned during dinner.”
He looked up at me and shook his head. “Hey, Edeline, I messed up. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just really glad to have you back now.”
I gave him a half-hearted smile. "I'm glad we can be friends again now that the ban is lifted... at least we can hang out again." My forced smile quickly turned tense. It seemed like Darius and Z weren't exactly on good terms at the moment, and I had a feeling it was because of me. I didn't want Darius to feel upset about the fact that I've been spending more time with Percival than with him. Percival really messed up by trying to end our friendship, but he didn't mean any harm. Figuring I'd switch topics since Darius appeared to be in a more laid-back mood, I asked, "Hey, have you heard anything from my brother? I haven’t seen him yet."
Darius turned to face me completely. "Yeah. He went to Doc's to see what would happen. I think they talked afterward," he said casually, staring at me with a frown on his forehead.
"What's up? Why are you giving me that look?" I asked, puzzled.
He stood there, clearly annoyed, reaching up to grab my locket and examine it under the moonlight. I froze, feeling a rush of nerves. Oops, I totally forgot to stash it in my shirt.
"So, when did you get this?" He glanced at it before his gaze shot up to meet mine. There was something about his attitude that made my wolf feel uneasy, and I wasn’t a fan of it.
"Oh, I mean, it happened pretty recently. It’s pretty cool, right?" I was a bit concerned that he might figure out where it came from. Darius is my go-to buddy for a chat, but there’s something off about him at the moment. I had this feeling that I shouldn’t share what happened tonight with him. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t rat me out, but the air had changed.
He let out a laugh dripping with sarcasm. "Sure. Cool. I’m heading to the pack house to freshen up. You might want to do the same. You’re a bit smelly. Catch you tomorrow. We should have a chat about something." His tone was annoyed.
I just sat there, staring at him with a blank expression. "Sure, no problem. Catch you later."
Darius strolled off, emanating a hint of dissatisfaction. I couldn't quite put my finger on what had been going on with him lately. Maybe I’d find out tomorrow.