Chapter 2

Edeline

I must have heard it wrong. Percival got another she-wolf pregnant? Bullshit. That’s not possible, and besides, she's not even part of our pack.

A few wolves murmured, asking if the female was his mate, but no one dared say a word. I walked up to him, closing the space between us, his scent wrapping around me like a vice.

“Pe-Percival… Finally, I found my mate,” I mumbled.

My adrenaline is rushing like a surge of happiness within my body. I wondered if he felt the same. He had to. He smiled at me, a reaction that confirmed it. He knew what I meant to him. He had to.

But then his smile vanished quickly when suddenly the blonde she-wolf held him in his arms.

“Who is she?” he said in a haughty tone.

His once happy expression was now etched with tension. His clenched fists and tight jaw betrayed his feelings, and his bright blue eyes avoided mine, a clear sign of distress.

“I have to talk to her first…” Percival said and was about to walk at me when the blonde stopped him, raising her eyebrows at him. “I said, I have to—”

“Everyone, get back to your houses, now!” the Alpha commanded, dispersing the crowd with a glare that could cut steel. He locked eyes with his eldest son, fury burning in his gaze.

I felt a sharp pang of hurt. What the hell was going on? Why are they acting like this?

As soon as the pack left, Luna Annabel quickly led her inside, but not before giving me an apologetic smile, her eyes filled with sadness. Pity.

What the heck is happening?

Percival tapped Alpha William on the shoulder. “Thanks, Alpha.”

I looked up into my mate's eyes, and now it was just us. His eyes roamed hungrily over my body, taking in every curve. I felt his gaze like a physical touch. My scent was driving him wild, and every instinct in him screamed to mark me. He wanted to, and I could see it. His eyes darkened, a sliver of gold breaking through. His canines slid out, and a delicious shiver ran over my skin.

He held my hand and ran. The world around us blurred as we moved, our surroundings a mere backdrop to the intensity of the moment. His grip was firm but gentle, leading me with a purpose that made my heart race.

We reached a quiet spot deep in the forest, the trees above creating a private hideaway. He turned to me, eyes glowing with a mix of desire. The tension between us was thick, each heartbeat echoing the need we felt for each other.

His hand reached up, fingers brushing my cheek, sending sparks through my body. "I've waited so long for this moment," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "For you…"

I leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his palm against my skin. "I'm here, Percival…" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm yours…"

He lowered his head, his breath hot against my neck, and I felt the brush of his canines against my skin. My pulse quickened, and I closed my eyes, giving in to the sensation. Time seemed to stand still as he pressed his lips to my neck, the anticipation building with every passing second.

But then, he hesitated. His canines retracted, and I felt him pull back slightly. "I messed up, Edeline. We can't... I–I can’t mark you… I’m really sorry..." he muttered, stepping back from me. My smile vanished as I saw him move away, suddenly feeling awkward. The wolf inside me whined in surrender, and my lip quivered. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Percival, what's the matter? Do-Do you not want to be with me, huh? Tell me…" I asked, my voice trembling and uncertain.

I could feel his pain deep down, like our souls reaching out, almost touching. It wasn't like being connected to someone you're mated with, where you can sense their feelings. It was different, like our wolf sides were trying to match up.

He bit his lip, shaking his head fast. “The Moon Goddess knows, Edeline, I do care about you. If only I knew sooner... We've practically grown up together, and damn right, I'd want you as my mate. You are so perfect. You truly are the best fit to be my Luna…" he whispered painfully, both of us standing just a couple of steps apart. I had to look up at him, seeing the struggle in his eyes, fighting the urge to pull me close.

"But—shit happened, and now it's tearing me apart knowing you're my mate. It's gonna shatter your heart, just like it's shattering mine right now." He closed his eyes tight. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, Edeline." He bit his lip, turning away, unable to look at me. Panic clenched at my heart.

"Wh-why w-what happened? Please, Percival, tell me…" I barely whispered, my voice trembling.

I knew it had fucking something to do with that blonde bitch.

He glanced back at me, full of despair. "I screwed up, Edeline. I couldn't control myself."

His scent reached out to me, urging me to hug him, but I held back, waiting for him to speak.

"The blonde she-wolf earlier… She’s Tatiana and… I got her pregnant. She's having my pup, Edeline. I’m so sorry..." He couldn't look at me.

I let out a loud gasp as pain squeezed my heart. I couldn't breathe, couldn't stand. I fell to my knees, clutching my chest where my heart throbbed. My lip quivered as I kept repeating, "No... No... No… You’re lying!"

"I had no idea, Edeline," he whispered, his voice rough and barely steady. His hands trembled at his sides, his knuckles white from clenching them too hard. "I didn’t know it would be you, or that I’d find my mate so soon." He dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply, his jaw tightening. "She was in heat... I was weak. My wolf took control. I’m sorry—”

“No! Please, Percival… Don’t lie to me… Is there something I did that upset you? I’m sorry but please don’t do this to me…”

"I'm so damn sorry, Edeline…" His voice wavered as we held onto each other tightly. I fought back my wolf, struggling to keep her at bay, while letting him see the depth of my pain.

Tears streamed down my face. I completely broke down, crumpling to the ground and rocking back and forth, crying to the moon with my forehead pressed against the earth.

He dropped to his knees beside me, reaching out with eyes full of despair as he pulled me close. His touch was a cruel reminder of what I could never have. The connection between us crackled with energy, and my wolf urged me to claim him, to mark him as ours

I trusted him. He didn't want things to turn out like this. He wanted me, he really did.

The sensation of his touch sent shivers down my spine, but the ache in my heart was too overwhelming.

"What are you gonna do?" I looked up at him, tears clinging to my lashes.

"I have to do whatever is right, Edeline," he muttered, his gaze filled with pain and desperation.

What's the right thing? What could it possibly be? Taking responsibility?!

“But I’m your mate…”

"I'm sorry. I wish... I wish I could change things. I don't want this to happen, but I'm stuck, Edeline. I'm so damn sorry." His touch trying to comfort me.

But it was too late for that.

I sighed. "What else can we do? It's already there, and you can never escape it... Just go to her," I said. His hand froze on my back, shock written all over his face. He pulled back slowly, watching me as I turned away, unable to bear his tortured expression.

"Edeline, I-"

"Just go, Percival!" I shouted, closing my eyes against the pain. It hurt too damn much.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered one last time before walking away, leaving me there, my heart bleeding out from the hurt he'd just inflicted.