CHAPTER 3: DAYS OF SUFFERING

Edeline

Percival, my mate. He was my everything, but now he's starting his future with someone else.

I snapped back to reality as Darius snapped his fingers in my face. "Edeline! Are you okay?"

I tried to shake off the awful feeling inside as my stomach tightened. "Yeah. Yeah. Of course. Sorry. I was just trying to remember what he told me. He said he was sorry, but he had to do the right thing. That's all." The last word came out in a whisper.

I felt like I was tearing apart inside and couldn't keep it all in for much longer.

Darius's anger flared as he looked out at the water. "That asshole! I'm going to kill him," he growled.

I couldn't fully blame my mate, except he should've stayed loyal. A female's heat is something no male can resist, and that night I found my mate and had my heart shattered in minutes. He told me the blonde she-wolf had been tempting him. He couldn't resist.

Darius's intense gaze returned to me, focused and hard. "You gotta talk to him. Alone. Ask him what he's gonna do. It's gotta be you, Edeline," he urged.

I felt the ache inside me grow as my face twisted with sorrow. Shaking my head, a small cry escaped my lips. "I just can't. I can't face him, Darius," I pleaded, my voice shaking.

His hand tightened around mine. "Then we'll face it together. Don’t worry, I’ll just be by your side."

I looked up, seeing the determination in his eyes. He'd go through anything for his best friend, and I'd do the same for him. But this was something we had to handle alone.

That's not what I wanted. Darius shouldn't hate his brother for something he couldn't control, and I didn't want to know what my mate was planning. It would only break my heart more. It was too much for a new wolf to handle. Just keeping my emotions in check was hard enough.

Darius gripped my hand as I fought back tears. Loud voices echoed across the water, and we turned to look. 

My mouth dropped open as I realized we'd drifted too close, now facing hundreds of wolf eyes from the pack having a barbecue on the shore. We were exposed in the canoe, with the entire pack looking at us. But all I felt were the eyes I couldn't escape. 

He was there, watching me. His gaze burned into me, and I let go of Darius's hand. I risked a glance and saw my mate sitting with his pregnant female, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. 

Everyone knew Darius and I were best friends, but this felt too personal. I knew what they were all thinking. 

"We gotta leave, now," Darius said, his eyes fixed on mine as whispers and gasps floated from the shore, reaching us even on the water where gossip was already brewing. 

"Come on, hurry up, Darius," I begged, hiding my face from prying eyes.

I could already picture the rumors that would spread tomorrow. I didn't bother glancing back at my mate. It wouldn't change a damn thing, and seeing him with blondie would only wreck me.

I could see the rage on his face. But hell, he's got no damn right. None whatsoever. 

…

Waking up, I felt too sick to move. I stared at the swirls on the ceiling, my stomach churning painfully. I'm just gonna stay in bed today. Couldn't bear facing anyone. Getting caught with my best friend and then seeing my mate hook up with someone else was too damn much.

A knock made me freeze, eyes wide with fear. I hadn't even noticed him coming. "Edeline? Edeline, it's me. Please, open the door."

It’s Darius.

I rolled my eyes, throwing the blankets off and staggering to the door. My knees wobbled. I still couldn't eat. Unlocking it, he barged in with blood all over his hands, cuts on his arms.

"What happened to you!?" I gasped, staring at him, my hand covering my mouth as my eyebrows shot up. He looked like shit, so I knew this had just gone down, probably in the last ten minutes, 'cause the blood hadn't even started to crust.

He slammed the door and leaned on it, a smug grin on his messed-up face. "I finally told big brother to go screw himself."

I was speechless, just gaping at him. I didn't even want to know. But he looked so damn pleased with himself. I figured I had to stroke his ego somehow. I gave him a thumbs-up.

"Darius, you didn't need to do that," I said, shaking my head, seeing his expression falter a bit. My lips curled into a smile. "But, thanks. For sticking up for me. You're awesome. You’re really my best friend."

His grin was back in a flash as he rushed to my closet, tossing clothes my way. A dress smacked me in the face before I could catch it. "Ugh! Why do you keep doing that?!"

"Get dressed. We're heading down for breakfast," he said, peeking out from the closet with a smile.

Even after a fight, he looked good. Must've won if he's this happy.

I shook my head, feeling nervous. I wasn't ready to face everyone. "Go now," he insisted, standing in front of me. I met his gaze, feeling scared. "And then we're going for a run after my training. You need it. Your wolf needs it."

Darius was right. I hadn't shifted since my first time, and I wasn't sure how my wolf felt. She was stronger than me, I knew that much. Sometimes, her anger and sadness mixed with mine, but I couldn't grasp her exact thoughts. She could take control, but I trained hard to keep her in check. 

But there's always that chance...

"I'm not so sure about this, Darius..." I said, glancing up at him. His blue eyes softened as he put his hands on my shoulders.

"You'll be fine. You're tougher than you think," Darius reassured me.

I just shook my head, not really buying it. 

Darius’s face turned serious as he straightened up. "Put your clothes on. No arguments. You need to face them eventually. I know you’re not ready, but you have to fake it. People will gossip more if you hide. Stick with me—I’ll handle any stares. Think of me as your shield. Now go."

Tears started welling up in my eyes, but I nodded and grabbed the first dress I saw, heading to change. As I was about to put it on, I realized it was way too short. My mate would not be pleased seeing me like this—

"Wait! Why the heck do I still care what he thinks? Forget it, I’ll show him what he’s missing, even if I look ridiculous," I muttered to myself, stepping out of the bathroom.

“Ready?” Darius asked, grabbing my hand as I emerged. I nodded, and he led me down the hall toward the dining area. My stomach felt like it was in knots, and I squeezed Darius's hand without even noticing. He squeezed back, giving me a concerned look.

"I'm here. Just focus. Breathe in deep. Hold it when he's around," he whispered, guiding me along.

We walked into the dining hall, where the noise of clinking forks and chatter filled the air. Percival’s scent hit me like a wave—comforting yet painfully nostalgic.

I could practically smell him twice as strong as we got closer to where he could see us.

My whole body tingled at the thought of him looking at me, but I kept my eyes on Darius.

My throat tightened as we neared the buffet. Clutching Darius’s hand tighter, we made our way to the breakfast spread.

Darius let go of my hand and grabbed a plate. "What do you want?" he asked, his eyes fixed on me. I felt like I wanted to vanish.

A guy fixing a plate for a girl, especially if he’s high-ranking, means something. Darius doing it for me would stir up rumors, and Percival wouldn’t be pleased.

I wasn’t playing games, Darius was just here to support me. Taking a shallow breath, I managed a small smile.

"Just the usual," I whispered.

I felt a low growl behind me. I’m sure it’s my mate. My mate didn’t like his brother taking care of me. I couldn’t even bring myself to say his name.

I felt his eyes scanning me, and anxiety tightened my gut. I hugged myself, trying to stay calm. My body ached for his touch. The wolf inside me stirred, nudging me towards him.