Alpha Edward was about to leave his room for lunch when he heard a knock on the door. Before he could ask who it was, the door swung open, and Levi, his cousin, stepped inside.
"What do you want? Haven't you done enough?" Alpha Edward yelled, his anger surging at the sight of Levi. The mere presence of the man who had caused him so much grief made his blood boil.
"Brother," Levi called softly, his voice calm and unwavering despite the anger in Alpha Edward' s eyes. He knew his cousin was enraged, but he also knew Edward would never truly harm him; if he had wanted to, he would have done so long ago.
"My things are downstairs. The driver is waiting for me, but I wanted to see you and apologize before I leave," Levi pleaded, taking a tentative step closer to Alpha Edward.
"I don't need your apology, Levi. Just leave and never show your face to me again!" Alpha Edward grunted, turning away, his shoulders tense with unresolved anger.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened again, and Amanda walked in. She stopped short, surprised to see Levi standing there. Her eyes darted between the two men, sensing the tension that filled the room.
Levi took a deep breath, his gaze shifting between Edward and Amanda. His knees trembled slightly, and then he fell to the floor, dropping to his knees before his cousin. "I'm sorry," Levi began, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I did everything I did because... because you always seemed so perfect, Edward. In everything. You always had it all—strength, respect, the love of everyone around you. And I... I became jealous. I couldn't stand being in your shadow, so I decided to take whatever I could from you."
Edward's face twisted in a mixture of disbelief and hurt. "What are you talking about?" he
demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Levi turned to Amanda, his eyes filled with guilt. "I bet Edward that I could have you," he
confessed, his voice breaking with shame. "I wanted to prove to him that he wasn't invincible, that I could take something he valued. But I swear, I never meant to hurt you, Amanda. I was blinded by my own jealousy, and I didn't realize what I was doing."
Amanda's expression hardened, but she remained silent, letting Levi continue.
"I love you, Edward," Levi said, turning back to his cousin. "You're my brother in all the ways that matter. I never wanted to truly hurt you. I was just... lost in my own bitterness. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Alpha Edward's anger flickered, a mixture of pain and understanding crossing his features. He stared at Levi, his eyes narrowing, searching for any sign of deceit. But all he saw was his cousin' s broken expression, the regret in his eyes.
After a long, tense silence, Edward let out a slow breath. "Get up, Levi," he muttered. "I forgive you... but know that your actions have consequences. If you truly love me, then leave and don' t come back until you've found a way to redeem yourself."
Levi's eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded. "Thank you, Edward. Thank you," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. He stood, glancing at Amanda once more with a look of apology, before turning back to his cousin. "Goodbye, Edward. I hope one day you can see me as your brother again."
Edward nodded curtly, his expression still guarded. "Goodbye, Levi."
With a final look at both of them, Levi turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
A tense silence hung in the air as neither Alpha Edward nor Amanda could find the words to say. They pondered Levi's words. Amanda had always felt there was something suspicious about Levi being friendly to her, but she never knew he had plans to have her just to cause Alpha Edward pain. She thought of the trip and wondered what would have happened if they had gone through with it.
Filled with guilt, she looked at Alpha Edward, who seemed lost in thought. "Is that the reason you wanted me gone? So Levi wouldn't have his chance with me?" she asked. Alpha Edward sighed before nodding. Amanda swallowed her discomfort. "You could have told me, Alpha Edward. You could have explained things to me," she muttered, but Alpha Edward remained silent.
Amanda sighed and sat on the bed, while Edward moved over to the window, staring outside into the distance. She looked at him, her eyes lingering on the wheelchair. Her heart ached; she wished he could walk again. He was a leader, and not being able to use his legs was definitely taking a toll on him.
"I have an ability," Amanda announced, standing up and moving over to him.
"Really?" Alpha Edward asked, curious.
"Yes." Amanda squatted before him, and their gazes locked. "I have the ability to heal. I found
out two days ago with my mother's help." A big smile appeared on Alpha Edward's face. He was so proud, so proud of the woman Amanda had become.
"I'm so proud of you," he said, lifting his hand and tucking her hair behind her ears. "I'm so proud that you didn't let me break you, that you didn't let this monster break you."
Amanda took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts as she looked into Alpha Edward's eyes. "I've forgiven you," she said softly, her voice carrying both strength and vulnerability. "I forgive you for everything you've done to me. I know you've suffered too, Edward... and I see now that your actions were driven by pain, anger, and fear."
Alpha Edward's eyes widened slightly in surprise, as if he hadn't expected her words. For a
moment, he seemed lost, unsure of how to respond. His gaze softened, the hardened lines on his face easing. "Amanda... I don't deserve your forgiveness," he muttered, shaking his head. "I' ve been cruel. I've hurt you in so many ways."
Amanda nodded, not denying his words. "You did," she acknowledged, "but I've seen your suffering, Edward. I've seen you at your worst, and despite everything, I know there's still good in you. You're more than your mistakes."
Edward blinked, his expression wavering between relief and disbelief. "How can you forgive me so easily?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.
Amanda gave a small smile. "It's not easy," she admitted. "It's not something that happens overnight. But I believe in second chances, Edward. And I think... maybe, we both need to forgive ourselves as well."
He swallowed hard, feeling a knot in his throat loosen slightly. "Amanda... I don't know if I can ever make it up to you," he said quietly.
She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Edward. Just... be better. For yourself. For Liam. And maybe, in time, for us."
Edward stared down at their joined hands, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. He nodded slowly, his voice almost a whisper. "I will try... I promise."
They both stared at each other for a moment before Amanda spoke again. "I want to use my ability on you. I had a dream last night. In my dream, I saw you using your legs, and the moment I woke up, my wolf suggested I use my abilities on you." Amanda suggested, but Alpha Edward remained silent, contemplating whether he should agree to it. "Amanda, this is a risk. You just got your ability; using it on my case is risky," he pleaded, but Amanda shook her head.
"I'm not backing out, Alpha Edward. Let me help you, please," she pleaded, placing her hands on his knees. Alpha Edward shook his head and wanted to say something, but she cut him off. "Don't say anything. I'm doing it; there is no harm in trying." She said, and Alpha Edward knew he had to give in.
Amanda placed her hands on Alpha Edward's knees, trying her best to use her new healing power. She focused hard, hoping to help him walk again. Edward watched with hope and worry, but after several minutes, nothing changed. Amanda's touch grew colder, and she felt a pang of disappointment.
Her face fell, and she pulled away, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice cracking. "I thought I could help."
Without waiting for a response, Amanda ran out of the room, tears streaming down her face. Alpha Edward watched her go. He wanted to go to her, to comfort her, but he decided to let her be and instead made a mind link to her mother, informing her that Amanda needed her.
Amanda fled to her room, where she collapsed and cried, overwhelmed by her failure. She thought she could heal him. What was the use of her healing ability if she couldn't heal the man she loved?
"You don't have to give up yet; we can keep trying," her wolf assured her, but she didn't believe it.
Amanda's mother walked in, moved over to the bed, and hugged Amanda, who cried bitterly in her arms.
"Mother... I couldn't heal him," Amanda sobbed loudly.
Her mother gently stroked her hair while Amanda continued to sob. "You must love him so much, don't you?" she asked, and Amanda nodded. There was no need to hide it. She had fallen head over heels for this man and wished she could help him use his legs again so he could be happy.
Then you have to support him, Amanda. You can't cry; if you cry, what do you want him to do?" her mother asked.
Amanda moved away from her mother's arm and looked at her. "Alpha Edward is in a lot of pain. I wish I could do something..."
"You can," her mother assured her, "by being by his side, by showing him that you love him."
Amanda took a deep breath, wiping away her tears as she tried to steady herself. Her mother' s words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the importance of support and presence. She knew she couldn't let her own fear keep her away from Edward, especially when he needed her the most.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Family's Spoiling Kills: Reborn, I Seek Wild Revenge