Chapter 76 ALLURING AROMA
Percival
My wolf could do this without anyone getting hurt. She was on the edge, ready to lash out at anyone who provoked her. She was incredibly strong for a young female, and we weren’t about to humiliate her by involving my father in front of everyone.
My wolf crouched low, mimicking Edeline’s aggressive stance. He was determined not to hurt her. He needed her to submit. He had to handle this carefully. Relief washed over us when Tatiana was taken away. We needed to keep our mate calm and in control.
But out of nowhere, Edeline’s wolf leapt at us, her powerful hind legs propelling her forward. She was clearly angry that I... that my wolf had shown paternal instinct in front of everyone. She didn’t understand it, not at her age.
Her snarling form collided with me, teeth sinking into my scruff with force. But she was no match for me. My wolf, large and grey, with a commanding presence, pushed her away. She quickly stepped to the side, eyes locked on my wolf, waiting for another chance to strike.
But I didn’t give her one. My wolf knew he needed to assert his dominance in front of the pack to establish authority, then soothe her. With a swift leap, my wolf sank his teeth into the thick fur at her scruff, drawing a little blood but causing as little harm as possible.
He didn’t want to hurt her. He just needed her to submit... to calm down.
She growled fiercely, thrashing her head side to side, trying to break free. She didn’t care about the pain she was causing herself; she just kept struggling, risking tearing her own skin. My wolf pleaded with her to stop, but she ignored him, continuing to fight.
Her resilience was incredible.
Then, my wolf caught her scent.
The alluring aroma of her pheromones, seeping from her skin, called to my primal instincts, urging me to claim her, to join with her. But she wasn’t in the right state of mind. This scent... it was just a small taste of what was to come. As her mate, it took everything in me to stay in control while remaining painfully aware of her every move.
A wolf on the verge of going into heat can be irresistible to any male. But when you become that wolf's mate, ignoring the instinctual desires that arise becomes impossible.
As I sensed her restlessness beneath me, her pheromones thick in the air, my wolf's instincts surged to life. A primal need took over, leaving me powerless to resist. My wolf growled low in his chest, driven by an urge too strong to deny. He bit down on her shoulder, his teeth piercing her flesh with a forceful, possessive grip.
Satisfaction.
A wave of satisfaction rolled off her, a deep growl rumbling from her chest as my wolf dug his teeth in further. The connection between us deepened, binding her wolf's soul to ours with a fierce sincerity. I could feel her joy radiating through our bond, just as she could sense our own. The urge to mate grew almost unbearable as the sounds of celebration filled the night sky, marking the ascension of their future Alpha and his chosen Luna.
He growled again, the sound vibrating through her as his teeth sank deeper, calming her wild nature. Slowly, her struggles ceased until she lay still beneath him. Our low growls soothed her, easing the tension in her muscles.
In that moment, her wolf's needs were laid bare as she rolled onto her side, exposing her vulnerability. My wolf released his grip and began to gently lick the mark he'd left behind. The gesture was tender, an unspoken promise. She wanted him to stay with her, the bond between them growing stronger with every caress of his tongue against her fur. But as he nuzzled her, a sudden realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.
Anger.
Edeline's intense anger.
Her determination to regain control over her inner wolf’s powerful instincts surged through their connection. She refused to let it dictate her emotions. The sound that escaped her was heartbreaking—a whimper of confusion and frustration. Edeline's wolf couldn’t understand the depth of her human side’s emotions. Why wouldn’t she want us to mark her?
Then, in an instant, she bolted. The sudden burst of movement was like a slap, a wave of unsettling emotions crashing through our connection. At that precise moment, I wrestled control back from my wolf, forcing his primal urges into submission. I compelled him to retreat, to flee from the pack of exuberant wolves still celebrating their future Alpha’s triumph.
Only then did I truly grasp the gravity of what I’d done.
I had sealed half of the mate bond.
I had claimed her wolf.
And with that realization came a flood of emotions—humiliation, sadness, a deep ache that was almost unbearable. It wasn’t just her wolf that felt it; I felt it too, and I hated it.
With great effort, I managed to guide my wolf back to my home on the other side of the lake. Exhausted, I shifted back into my human form and staggered up the worn, creaking steps. The emotions crashing through our bond were relentless, like waves pounding a shoreline during a storm.
Successive waves crashing relentlessly.
I slammed the door behind me, the force of it rattling the old hinges. And then, as if the weight of everything finally caught up with me, I collapsed onto the floor... And here I am now.
Reflecting on the terrible mistake I made with Edeline.
A mistake made by my wolf.
He’s deeply troubled by the emotions his mate’s wolf is experiencing, torn between her wolf instincts and her human heart. What should have been a time for celebration now feels like a burden.
However, I took her without Edeline’s consent. Her wolf wanted it—had wanted it for a long time. I could feel it deep within me, just as my wolf could. But I would never disrespect or humiliate her in such a way. Not while Edeline was unwilling. And not while another female was carrying my pup.