Chapter 97 PECULIAR BLOOD
Edeline
“Edeline, please wait,” he called softly.
I kept walking towards my house, deliberately ignoring him. He was with Tatiana now, exactly where he wanted to be. I couldn’t believe he’d accuse me of trying to force him to choose between us. I had never intended that. I merely stated that I wouldn’t wait for him forever, but things had changed with her pregnancy.
He was the one who left me that letter.
I made it back to my house without anyone seeing my bare, late-night trek from the forest. Everyone was asleep. It was past midnight. I wondered how long it had been since I agreed to meet Darius downstairs.
Ignoring the clock on the wall, I quietly ascended to my room. After slipping into a comfy t-shirt, I settled onto my bed, waiting patiently for Nixx’s return. We had important matters to discuss.
I sighed with a mix of relief and anxiety. Just wanted to let you know that this chapter might not be my strongest. I’m feeling under the weather, so bear with me. We’ll get to the bottom of everything soon enough.
...
As I lounged in my oversized t-shirt, the darkness of the room enveloping me, my thoughts drifted.
I recalled what Darius had mentioned...
The closeness we once shared…
I fought back the bile rising in my throat, determined to push away the unsettling images that replayed in my mind. I was grateful for the gaps in my memory.
Can you believe he had the audacity to do what he did? I was furious. Years of friendship, and yet, the moment I witnessed seemed to have been dismissed so easily. I was certain he had never loved me in that way—not Darius. But there was something different now.
There was something peculiar about his blood.
He believed he could confront his brother, that he could defeat him and whatever loyal creature he had by his side. But there was something off about him. He was unaware of the currents running beneath the surface. No one seemed to notice.
I couldn’t shake the wave of sadness that hit me as I thought about the end of a bond I once held dear. It felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me, the pain almost unbearable. But there was something else gnawing at me too—Percival. I remembered seeing him with Tatiana, and that image was like a persistent itch I couldn’t scratch.
It’s funny how losing interest can sometimes be a relief. It’s almost intriguing to think about what happens when you’re not around to see it unfold. Trusting those sweet-talking promises from someone who says they have deep feelings for you—that you’re the one—can be tempting. But I’m starting to realize that fairytales are just that—fairytales.
The idea of a perfect match meant just for me? It’s hard to swallow when that so-called match is lovingly touching the belly of another woman who’s carrying his child. His actions spoke louder than any of the charming words he had ever said.
I’ve learned not to trust those sweet nothings. They’re often empty. It’s a hard lesson, especially when it comes from someone you thought was your partner.
I let myself stew in my sorrow for a bit. Sure, it’s made me tougher, but the pain is still there. It’s not as raw as it was, but it’s still uncomfortable. Feeling unwanted? That’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s something anyone would find painful.
As I wiped away the last of my tears for Percival, I was jolted from my thoughts by the sound of the back door creaking open downstairs.
I listened closely as he made his way up the stairs, each step deliberate. Once he reached the top, I stood up and headed for the door. My anger was a live wire, sparking with every step I took. It was a fierce, burning sensation that was helping me push through the sadness. Sometimes letting out that frustration can be a relief.
When I heard him open his door, I swung mine open, catching him off guard. I stood there, giving him a stern look that said more than words ever could.
“Edeline!” He looked genuinely surprised, his face etched with guilt. I guided him into his room, gently closing the door behind us. I stood in front of him, my green eyes narrowed and intense.
“So, you’ve been putting Tatiana before your own sister?” My voice trembled with a mix of betrayal and hurt. “Sneaking around, checking out her cabin, and you’re even interacting with her?” I couldn’t hide the pain in my voice.
He stared at me, confusion clear on his face. “What?”
I sighed deeply, walking past him and plopping down on the bed. He stood there, looking lost. “I saw you tonight at Tatiana’s. She was with Percival at Docs. Why do you keep choosing her over me? Why do you always put her first?” My eyes locked onto his, but he was at a loss for words. He muttered something incoherent, let out a heavy sigh, and finally sat down next to me on the bed. We both stared silently at the floor, the weight of our unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
“Edeline…” His voice, laden with apology, caught me off guard. “I’m sorry… It’s my wolf. I can’t control it. I find myself drawn to her, even though I thought she was the worst. Or at least, that’s what I used to think. I have to admit, I’ve talked to her a few times. Surprisingly, she’s not as awful as I first believed. I know you might not want to hear this, but it’s the truth. She mentioned some pressure from her father, but that’s all she’d share. Deep down, she doesn’t really want to hurt you.”
He reached for my hand, but I jerked it away, glaring at him. “She doesn’t what??? Did you not see what she did yesterday, Nixx!? How can you even say that!?” My voice was sharp with disbelief. The disappointment was overwhelming, especially knowing my brother was entangled with the same woman my mate had chosen.