Chapter 7: My Man

Valkyrie

I stood up, smoothing out my askew uniform. A faint smile lingered on my lips.

I almost had sex with Ragnor!

Oh, my God!

The thought was overwhelming.

How could he do that after rejecting me just yesterday?

My mind spiraled into a whirlpool of chaotic thoughts.

For a fleeting moment, I felt happy, but then confusion overtook me.

What does he want from me? I murmured to myself, unable to answer.

I tied my blonde hair into a ponytail, trying to focus. Stepping over to his desk, I began sorting through the scattered documents Ragnor had left behind.

My hands moved mechanically, but my thoughts were anything but calm.

Every intimate moment replayed in my mind—the way his lips had captured mine, the raw intensity of his touch, and the quiet, pleading desperation in his voice when he said he couldn’t let me go.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away.

"It meant nothing," I whispered, trying to convince myself. "It wasn’t love, though I wish it was."

I sighed, brushing away the lingering emotions. Isn’t this what being a grown woman is supposed to feel like?

The thought brought no comfort.

I dusted around the table, forcing myself to focus on my work. This was a job, nothing more.

My encounter with Ragnor had been... a fleeting distraction.

For him, maybe. But for me, too. I needed to see it that way. It was just... biological needs. No hard feelings.

I inhaled deeply, finally finishing my task. But just as I was about to leave, a sharp knock at the door startled me.

My pulse spiked as I glanced toward it, half-expecting Ragnor to have returned. But that wasn’t possible—Ragnor wouldn’t knock on his own door.

Who could it be?

Before I could guess, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Alpha, open up!”

It was Tasya.

My body tensed, my mind racing. What should I do? My presence here—with the door shut—looked so suspicious.

“Alpha!” Her sharp tone startled me again, her voice growing more impatient.

Of all people... Tasya was the last person I wanted to face right now.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped toward the door, steeling myself before opening it.

“Beta...” I greeted, my voice steady.

Tasya stood there, her sharp eyes narrowing the moment she saw me. She gasped, her expression shifting from shock to anger.

Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped inside and slammed the door shut behind her.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Tasya hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

I folded my arms across my chest, refusing to show any sign of weakness. “Working,” I replied flatly, my gaze unwavering. “Something I assume you’re familiar with.”

Her eyes narrowed as they flicked to the desk, and I could see the moment she noticed Ragnor’s lingering scent still thick in the air.

“Are you playing bossy with me now?” Tasya’s glare intensified.

I released my arms and placed them by my sides. I must be crazy. How could I challenge her like this?

"I'm sorry, Beta. I didn't mean to..."

“Shut it!” She snapped. “Where’s Ragnor?” Her eyes scanned the room, darting to every corner as if expecting him to appear from the shadows.

“Gamma Dwayne asked for his presence,” I said, keeping my voice even, though my heart hammered in my chest.

“Is that what it is?” Her voice dripped with mockery. “Or are you just making up nonsense about my man, Valkyrie?”

Her man?

A surge of heat rose in my chest, and before I knew it, my temper flared.

“That’s what I know, Beta. You can check it yourself, or...” I paused, letting the silence drag out. “You didn’t work like you expected? You were second in command here, filling in for your late father…”

“Damn it, Val!” She slapped me across the face. The sting sent me stumbling, and I barely managed to steady myself against the desk.

Everything went silent for a split second, the world spinning around me.

I couldn’t believe she had actually done that.

Tasya’s chest heaved as she stood over me, fury radiating from her.

"Don’t you dare speak about my father like that, Slave! Remember this... I am going to be the next Luna, and you? You’ll always be the lowest rank in this pack!"

I wiped the blood from my lip, my face flushed with a mix of anger and disbelief.

With a deep breath, I met her gaze, fire burning in my eyes.

“Don’t worry, Beta,” I said quietly, my voice full of resolve. “You’ll be the next Luna—until I take that title from you.”

Before Tasya could retort, the door creaked open once more, cutting through the tension in the air.

I turned, and my heart skipped a beat.

Ragnor stood in the doorway, his gaze flicking between the two of us.

"What the hell is going on here?" Ragnor’s gaze flicked between Tasya and me, his expression cold and unreadable.

The tension in the room thickened, pressing against my chest. My heart pounded in my ears as I struggled to keep my composure.

Tasya’s furious eyes never left me as she stepped closer, her voice dripping with venom. “Alpha, she’s the one who caused the trouble first. That slave!”

Ragnor didn’t respond at first. His silence was unnerving, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

I held my breath, waiting for him to speak.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve crossed a line, Tasya.”

"Wha—what?"

“Get the hell out. Now!”

“But... Alpha—”

Before Tasya could argue further, Ragnor growled, his fury evident in his gaze.

“Yes... Alpha,” Tasya muttered before storming out, slamming the door behind her.

I tried to stand up, hoping to excuse myself, not wanting to cause any more trouble. But Ragnor crouched down, extending his arm.

He lifted me effortlessly and placed me gently on his bed.

“You're bleeding,” he murmured, his fingers brushing against my fresh wound.

"It’s nothing, Alpha," I said, turning my head. But his grip only tightened, and I gasped as his lips grazed my side.

“It tastes so sweet...”