Edmond's POV (1 year later)
I remember that when I was younger, my mother told me how she and my father met, how all this was perfect when they looked at each other for the first time. It was as if she was alive for the first time. I still remember that I aspired to this feeling, that I wanted to find the person who would make me feel this, understand and live the same love that my parents shared for each other. Now, when luck was finally presented to me, I ruined it. I rejected my partner because of her status in high school. What an idiot!
When she left, I was already heartbroken, instantly regretting my decision when she walked through the front door. I wanted to catch up,try to talk to her and apologize, maybe even try again. I wanted to be the perfect companion she deserved but her dreams were broken when I tried to call her for the first time.
It took a long time to ask my father for Belle's number. He was the last person I wanted to talk to. Indeed, I had gone around the whole school to ask for her number, and no one wanted to give it to me, especially not her friends.
When I explained to my father everything that had happened with Belle, he was livid, as he should have. At first, he refused to give me her number, saying that I didn't deserve a second chance. I knew he was disappointed with me; it was clear as the day on his face, and it just made me regret my decisions even more. What made things worse was that my mother had heard every word. She entered the room crying, while looking at me with such pain. I wanted to cry with her too but I knew I deserved it; I deserved all the pain that I felt for what I had done.
Despite the pain my mom felt because of me, she stayed by my side and managed to convince my father to give me her number, finally that of one of her brothers.
At first, I wanted to go to where she was, but I also knew that it would not be possible. In addition, no one knew the exact place unless invited, and if we were, we had to keep the place confidential. So, I just tried to call Charles.
" Hello? Charles on the device" I heard through the phone. I could feel my palms start sweating and feel my words not wanting to come out. He repeated his sentence again and yet no word escaped from my lips.
"Drop it, I'll hang up," he said impatiently.
"Wait! ", I interrupted him after finally regaining my voice.
"Charles, please, I was wondering if I could talk to your sister. It's Edmond on the call. The second I called my name, I heard him growl on the phone.Yes, they really knew what had happened. I was about to speak again, to try to apologize, but he interrupted me, giving me the most heartbreaking news I have ever had to hear.
"You can't talk to her. My sister committed suicide because of you, her own companion. You didn't deserve her. You are an arrogant little boy who believes that the world owes him every selfish little heart desires. My family will never forgive you for that; I hope you are happy", he growled before hanging up.
I remained motionless at that time, during what seemed to me to be an eternity, trying to understand everything he had said. When I regained my mind, everything in my room was completely ransacked and my father was in front of me, wondering what had happened. I broke down and told him everything that Charles had said, tears running on my face. Part of me was thinking of joining her, but I also knew that I had a pack to lead. Another part of me thought she wouldn't have wanted me to do that.
After being locked up for several days in my room, wallowing in my pain and sadness, my mother had enough. She broke into my room, telling me that Belle wouldn't have wanted that. She knew Belle well, from what I understood.She told me that Belle used to go to the pack's house to help whenever necessary. She usually helped the little ones in the pack.
Every day, my mother came to my room, trying to get me out of bed by telling me more stories about my partner, and how incredible she was. I appreciated what she was trying to do, but frankly, it made me even sadder. I finally got out of my crisis, deciding to live the rest of my life as Belle had done.
I now lived my life with a heart full of kindness and compassion, without worrying about how others saw me.
I was going to be the Alpha that my pack deserved, to be the man that Belle deserved.
My friends wondered about my change of attitude, so I told them the truth: before, no one knew Belle, apart from her family, my parents and friends. At first, they were all angry, but they quickly understood that they were no better than me. They hurt her too, and now she is gone. Our Moon was no longer.
The year went by slowly... Every day without Belle caused me more pain, but I hid it from everyone. I needed to be there for my pack. I knew that even if she had left, I could never be with another woman, and the simple fact of thinking that I had not preserved myself for my real companion always disgusted me. I couldn't change the past, even if I wanted to.
The day had finally arrived when the Johnson family had to come back. Even if they hated me, her brothers agreed to remain my Betas and inform me that they had found their companions. They also informed me that they had come back with a few people. I allowed it, not that I would not have done it, but because I was now an Alpha. My father gave me the title a few months ago. I was proud to be the leader of my pack, but I always wanted to have my Moon by my side.
Standing with my friends outside school, I listened to their conversations even if my mind continued to drift into its own world, a world where Belle was mine and where we were in love. I knew it would never be true, but it didn't stop me from wishing for it.
Soon, I saw Belle's brothers and their companions walking from the parking lot. They all looked so happy and in love, which made me want Belle even more. When they saw me, they watched with more hatred than I could ever imagine; I deserved it, I knew it. What troubled me was Charles's look. He just looked at me with fun. I decided to ignore him, thinking that he was only making fun of my misfortune.
When my friends and I were about to enter, we saw five motorcycles stop. Four of the bikers got off their motorcycles, removing their helmets. One of them was a girl with long blond hair that went down to her waist. She was small but she behaved with great confidence. She was strong, and she was fully aware of it. The other three were guys, all of similar build.
The last girl, however, the one who was still sitting on her motorcycle, intrigued me in a way. It was as if she was talking with herself about something, even if I couldn't see her face. She had no smell. She was the only one who did not smell like a werewolf contrary to her friends.I was glued on the spot. Something in me wanted to see who this girl was. After what seemed to me to be an eternity, she finally got off her motorcycle, taking off her helmet.
That's where everything stopped for me. I could hear the people around us panting in shock, but I didn't pay attention to them. "It's impossible. She died. Her brother told me himself, why would he lie?
Oh yes...", I exclaimed.
My look did not leave her as she turned to her friends, with a big smile. Her hair was longer, no longer a chocolate brown but a midnight black. She was still as beautiful, even after all this time. It was Belle.
Belle was alive. It was the first time since she left that I felt my wolf move in my head, screaming at the idea that his companion was still there.
They slowly went to the main entrance of the school, passing in front of us, and that's where I finally caught her smell. I couldn't understand why I only felt it at that moment, but the simple fact of feeling it drove my senses crazy.
She was really there; it was not an unhealthy joke. My partner was there and I knew that, by miracle, I had another chance to try to win her back and fix the worst mistake of my life.