Valeria POVToday is finally the day of the challenge. I have spent the whole day lying in bed. Well, Alpha and Damien advised it so I could be at my full strength. I wasn’t nervous until today because Damien was afraid of my safety. I am glad he trusts me, but I can help but feel nervous, probably because everyone is coming to watch.“Are you ready?” Dante asked, looking at me. We are at the arena; I haven’t been here, but it’s as big as I expected. “I am just a bit nervous,” I said. He smiled.“It’s normal,” he said. I am dressed in an overall black romper. I wanted something glued to my skin so I could move freely. Then I packed my hair in a tight bun; I didn’t want anything to get in my face. Everyone kept quiet, and I turned around, and it was Kate. She is putting on leggings and a sports bra. Around her waist is a belt with knives and daggers attached to it. I counted six knives and daggers, and I wondered: all that for me? She smirked at me, walking past us while flipping her
Valeria POVI groaned, pain rushing through my body.“You are not fit,” she whispered, removing the dagger harshly. I hold my stomach, which is bleeding out, and I fall to the floor, my eyes struggling to stay open. She stood up, walking towards me with the knife out, and I could sense the worry coming from the crowd, especially my mate.“Goodbye, Valeria,” she said, her knife coming for my heart. But before it could pierce me, I held her hand. She used all her strength to push it down, and the dagger was inches away from my heart. I groaned, using one hand to hold her back.“How are you still having strength?” she hissed, her evil eyes looking down at me in shock. I looked at her belt, and I reached for a knife with my other hand, and I thankfully took a dagger. I cut through her wrist like it was an apple. She screamed as her hand holding the dagger fell on me. She continued screaming, holding her hand in horror. I groaned, standing up.“You are not getting my mate,” I hissed.“Fini
Valeria POVI sat on the bed, allowing the doctor to do his thing to my stomach.“Everything looks good; she is healing well,” he said, looking at my stomach after removing the bandage. “Can she leave the hospital now?” Luna asked, and I hope he will say yes. I have been here for 2 days, and I am tired of the hospital smell and paint. It’s driving me nuts, and I haven’t seen my mate either. I’m worried and frustrated.“Yes, I would put another bandage on. She needs to be changing it and cleaning it, and try not to do anything so the stitch won’t open up again,” he said, cleaning my stomach with one thing that always stings. After putting it on, he covered the stitch, and I put down my clothes.“That would be all,” he said.“Thank you, doctor,” I said, smiling at him. He packed his stuff and smiled at us while bowing his head. Luna turned to me.“I guess it’s time to go; I packed your stuff,” he said, and the door opened, revealing a guard.“Is the pack house far from here?” I asked.
Valeria POVIt’s been a day since I was discharged, and Damien is still not back. My injury is still painful, especially since the anaesthesia has worn off, but I have been taking a lot of bed rest, and Luna has been so helpful and kind.“You didn’t finish your food?” Luna asked, entering the living room. She attended to me this morning, brought me food and some snacks, and I guess I wasn’t that hungry, so I decided to munch on my snacks while watching movies.“Yes, I am not that hungry. But I can eat it later,” I said so her effort wouldn’t be wasted. She smiled.“Okay,” she said, sitting beside me.“I have seen this movie before when I was with the humans,” she said. I smiled; I was watching SING.“It’s interesting,” I said, looking at the human creation. I would like to go there one day. She nods her head.“It is,” she said. We sat in silence, and I was so lost in the movie that I didn’t notice someone sneaking behind me.“What are you watching?” the voice I have been wanting to he
Valeria POVDamien and I climbed down the stairs. I held his hand tightly, wondering why the hallway was so dark.“I can feel the dark energy here,” I said. “Yes, that’s how the library has always been. Dad said it’s because of the spell the witches put here,” he said. I breathe out.“Did the witches practice dark magic? I know it’s forbidden for them to,” I said.“That I don’t know,” he said, stopping. I looked around, and there was no door. He pressed his hand into the wall, and the stone went inside, revealing a door. He walked in, and I wasn’t expecting to see what I saw.“Wow,” I said, shocked. “I know, I was shocked too,” he said. I thought it would be an old library with old books and some spiders crawling everywhere and making disturbing cobwebs, but I wasn’t expecting to see this. It looked like a greenhouse. It was covered with glass and I could see the bright sky from the glass; it was shining so brightly, the clouds a beautiful bright blue. The books were arranged in row
Valeria POVI flutter, my eyes open, my head banging. I groaned, holding my head as I struggled to stand up. I feel so weak.“You’re awake,” a soft voice said. My eyes flung open, and I looked up. I gasped, looking at the woman in front of me. She looks just like me, but the only difference is that she is so full of grace and elegance. This would be me if I had discovered who I am, what power I hold, and how destructive it is. “Finally, I am happy to meet you,” she said. I sat up.“Who are you?” I asked. She smiled, even her smile was just like mine.“I think it’s obvious,” she said. She looks like the sketch I drew.“Lux,” I said. She smiled.“Finally, after waiting for years, I finally met you,” she said. I stood up, looking around.“Where is my mate?” I asked. “Don’t worry, he is fine. Asleep at the moment; you and I have a long talk,” she said. I breathed out, sitting beside her on the wooden chair. It’s a spacious room filled with books, two chairs, and a table. Everything look
Valeria POVI opened my eyes, and I was lying on the floor. I sat up, groaning, and I heard a groan. I looked to my side, and Damien was waking up; we were both on the floor.“Damien,” I called, going to him. I helped him up, and he looked at me with drowsy eyes.“Are you okay?” I asked. He breathed out, looking around.“What happened?” he asked. “I don’t know; I woke up on the floor,” I said. He groaned while standing up, then his eyes widened as he saw the book on the floor with the rope beside it.“The book,” he said, picking it up. “I never thought it would be like this,” he said. I walked to him, looking at him as he opened it. The book is comprehensive, so I thought it would be filled with endless pages of writing, but to my surprise, it was plain blank.“What?” Damien said, flipping the book. There was nothing.“I can’t believe this,” I said, looking at the book. Why did Lux give me a blank book? Or is it someone retreating from seeing what is written there because if we can
Valeria POVThe whistle blew loudly, and I smiled, falling on the field and breathing out.“New record,” Damien said, walking to me. I smiled, looking up at him. It’s been two months since we completed the mating process and two months since we found out about Lux. I have been training endlessly since then; my life is like a repeated circle. Train, eat, and spend the entire night doing the nasty with my mate. Ever since knowing he could be killed or taken away from me, I have tried my best to spend time with him, get a feel of his warm, sweaty skin pressing against mine, and I am happy he feels the same way too.“How can she complete that obstacle in 1 minute?” Darcy asked, walking towards us. I smiled, looking at her slight bump. Yes, she is pregnant again. She and Sam were really not giving up, and we were all excited to find out. She’s been going for a checkup, and Sam has been treating her like an egg. Well, we all have.“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked, standing up. She frowned, rolli
Valeria POVI woke up from my sleep, and I was in an unfamiliar bed. I looked around me, and I could hear the sound of birds chirping. The room was big and comfortable, with not too many designs. And the big window was opened, allowing the gentle breeze to come into the room. Something about the breeze, the chirping sounds of the bed, and the serenity makes me feel so calm.I smiled, coming down from the bed. I left the room and burst into the hallway. The hallway was spacious, and there were some vintage-looking lamps hanging on the walls. The floor was wooden, and the walls were a creamy colour. I walked down, and I got to the stairs. I walked down the stairs, and I was in the spacious living room. Instead of walls, it was a transparent glass wall, and I could see what was going on outside. We were surrounded by more beautiful green trees. The front yard is filled with soft green grass, and it looks so beautiful.“You’re awake,” Dmitri said, and I turned around. He smiled at me, wal
Dmitri’s POVI smiled, watching Valeria dance with some little children. The trip has been going way better than I imagined. I knew I needed to do something to get her out of her comfort zone, to show her a new world. All the things I said about my flings were true; I was never the man to fall in love with any woman. The last woman I loved genuinely was my mate, and she died so many years ago that I have forgotten some memories of her. I had flings, and they were there for sexual pleasure. It was nothing more than that. But with Valeria, it was different. Something about her captured my soul, and I have loved her for a long time.I am ready to take it step by step with her, ready to make her fall in love with me at her own pace. What she went through was sad; it shaped her into the life she lived today. But I know that is not who she is. Valeria just wants love; she wants to be loved, and she wants happiness. She may be stubborn, but that is a facade, and I saw right through her. Seei
Valeria POVI sat in the passenger seat, jamming to the song playing on the radio. It was three days later, and Dmitri and I were on our way to this surprise he organised for us. I have no idea where we are headed, but I am happy to be with him. He left two days ago to fix everything, and then he came back with some bags. He told me to wear the floral yellow sundress with a pair of brown sandals. The dress is a free long dress with a very fitted waist. It has spaghetti strap arms, and the gown cups up my breast, showing a bit of cleavage. Dmitri brushed my hair, leaving it messy as it fell down my back. He used some lip balm on my lips, and I was looking so beautiful and simple. I have never dressed that way; it was new, refreshing and simple. I loved it.I remembered how Egan looked at me. He was in awe, and his eyes were teary. I suddenly got shy, and they laughed at me. Dmitri was keeping his words, and I was welcoming it. The way he dressed me up, I looked so feminine. It was givi
Valeria POVI pulled back after crying my eyes out, and he cleaned my tears.“I’m sorry,” I said, looking at his body. He was shirtless, as usual, and I just cleaned my face on it. He looked down at his chest and waved it off.“It’s okay,” he said softly. He stood up, and I watched him go; soon he came back and lay down beside me.“You alright?” he asked, and I nodded my head, smiling. Felt good to get that off my chest.“You look cute when you cry,” he said, and I laughed.“Do I?” I asked, and he nodded his head. I smiled, lying down, and we both looked at each other.“You should get rid of your flings,” I said, and he raised his brows.“Why?” he asked.“If you claim to love me, then you need to stay loyal to me,” I said, and he chuckled.“But you are not mine,” he said.“You are lying on my bed, beside me,” I said, and he smiled.“Is that a yes?” he asked. I turned around, smiling.“Do it the right way and I will reconsider,” I said, fighting my smile. That was a beautiful speech; e
Valeria POVDmitri lay down beside me, his arms under his head. We have both taken separate baths, and now we are on the bed, with a small distance between us. It was awkward, all my fierce attitude of the window. Am I supposed to move closer? Am I supposed to drag him to me? I hated how I was acting like a teenager in love. I glanced at him, and he seemed lost in thoughts. What could he be thinking? What is going through his mind? I looked away, swallowing hard. I should try to make a conversation, say something to get rid of this awkwardness. I cleared my throat.“So, when was the last time you had sex?” I asked, and a deep laughter left his mouth. I looked at him, and he was laughing at my question. He was laughing so hard I was surprised because I have never seen him like this. I rolled my eyes.“What’s funny?” I asked, and he breathed out. Running a hand through his hair.“I’m sorry, pardon my laughter,” he said, and I rolled my eyes at him again. Well, don’t blame a girl for ask
Valeria POVSoon, night settled, and Egan and Cassidy left. I guess she was taking him to her quarters. I was left with Dmitri in this big-ass apartment, and I was quite nervous. We were still in the kitchen, seated on the island, and his stare was making me uneasy. I shifted in my seat nervously, looking at him.“What?” I asked, and he smiled slightly.“I am excited to see you nervous,” he said, and I raised my brows.“Why?” I mumbled. He shrugged his shoulders.“Nothing, it’s just amusing to see. You have some emotions in you,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.“When have I ever not been emotional?” I asked, and he breathed out.“The girl you killed, you didn’t care much for her,” he said, and I rubbed my neck.“It was a mistake,” I said, and he shook his head.“She was innocent,” he said, and I breathed out.“Well, I compensated her family,” I said, and he raised his brows.“You did?” he asked, and I nod my head.“I told Cassidy about it. Her family is super wealthy now,” I said.“Tha
Valeria POVWe finished eating, and Egan took the plates, clearing them.“So, why have you decided to grace us with your presence?” Cassidy asked. Egan didn’t tell her, I guess.“Vladimir”, I said, and she raised her brows.“What happened to him?” she asked, and I smiled.“I went to a strip club and met his son. He actually drugged me and tried to rape me,” I said, and her mouth hung open.“And you shove out his dick, literally,” Dmitri completed my statement, drinking his juice. Cassidy’s eyes widened, then she burst into loud laughter.“He deserves more than that. You never take advantage of a woman. We are terribly against it,” she said, and I nod my head.“Grace must have called you,” she said, and I nodded my head.“The bitch wants my apology. Obviously, she only wants to humiliate me because she and Vladimir won’t let it go. They will surely want their revenge,” I said, and she nodded her head.“Yes, she doesn’t like you, anyway. She feels threatened,” Cassidy said, and I nod my
aleria POVWe pulled apart and stared at each other. Was I betraying Damien by doing this? Was I committing a grave sin? Should I be regretting this and locking myself up as I hide my face in shame?“Hey, don’t overthink it,” Dmitri said softly, searching my face.“I am not,” I said, and he raised his brows.“You are, Valeria. Don’t overthink it,” he muttered. I smiled softly, my body still tingling at the thought of the kiss. It’s been so long since I had a kiss, a kiss where I genuinely wanted to, a kiss where I shared the same amount of passion. I have kissed a lot of me, but those are all hungry kisses, no emotions, and it was not in the least affectionate. But this one it was everything I could ever imagine. I wrapped my arms around him, hiding my face in his shoulders, and I took in his scent. He smelt different; he smelt like home, and he smelt like warmth, and it made me happy. He rubbed my back slowly, his hand trailing down my spine.“You are so strong,” he whispered in my e
Valeria POVI could tell Egan and Dmitri were confused, but this is something I have kept to myself for years. Of course, I wasn’t going to joke around all my life and not have anything to fall back on. I made this, me alongside all these women. We had only one goal, and it was to use our power or influence to do the right thing because everyone here has been wronged by the world. We all have our story, ranging from worse to better. And I am happy that, after so many years, this organisation was finally going to be helpful to me. I heard a low growl as Cassidy and I pulled apart, and I turned to Egan. He was staring at Cassidy with hooded eyes, and she also looked back at him with the same gaze. I gasped.“Is she your mate?” I asked, excited. But of course, they both didn’t reply to me. Their gaze was fixed on each other, and I smiled. Finally, he has found his mate.“Let’s give them some privacy,” I said, dragging Dmitri with me. I held his hand, going fully into the palace. We enter