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 POVToday is finally the day of the meeting, and we left the pack a few hours ago. I don’t know how the meeting would go, but we came with men, just for our safety. I know nothing of the sort would happen, but Damien said we should be on the safer side.“We are almost there,” he said. I looked outside the window, and I could see a tall wall. The car kept going, and soon we were at the gates. The cars were rolling in slowly, so I knew they were checking the cars.“What are they checking for?” I asked.“Weapons,” he said. I looked at him, confused.“We can’t take weapons in. This is not our territory,” I said. “Don’t worry; of course we are not going in without weapons. It’s well hidden,” he said. I nodded my head, and when it got to our car, we actually came down from the car, and they checked us. After the whole check, we were allowed in. “It looks like a palace,” I said, looking at the vineyard as we passed.“Well, technically, they are royalty,” Damien replied. We passed b
Valeria POV We all sat down in silence, waiting for him to make a decision. I was a bit nervous; obviously Damien would win, but I didn’t want to look down on Adrian, and he might just pull a nasty move like Kate and it would favour him. There is really no need to keep me with him; Damien would always challenge him. “Time wastes for no one, alpha Adrain,” Damien said. Adrain looked at me, and I recognised the anger in his eyes. They used to scare me, but now it’s more of a challenge. I feel challenged. He licked his lips, looking away from me. “I will give up my rights to your Luna. From now on, she will cease to be my bride or mate,” he said. My parents and the man sitting at the edge of the table looked at him in anger. “Surely you don’t mean that alpha Adrain; you promised to get my daughter back,” my father said. I rolled my eyes at him; he had totally turned me into an object. “Your daughter doesn’t want to be with you; give up and stop pestering me,” he snapped, standing up
Valeria POVThe ride back home was a really quiet one. Damien didn’t say a word; he only looked through the window, holding my hand. I expected him to be proud of himself for what he did; he defended his sister, defended me, and showed he wasn’t a coward. So why is he sad and all quiet? I didn’t say a word to him; I wanted us to get home, and when we did, he ignored everyone walking away.“What happened?” Luna asked, looking at me in worry. I sighed.“It went well, but I don’t know why he has gone quiet,” I said, looking at her.“What happened?” Alpha asked.“Well, he used their rules against them. Since the elders claimed I was Adrain’s mate, he wanted to challenge Adrain for his position and mate. Adrain refused and gave up all claims of having me,” I said. They smiled with a proud look on their faces.“I know my son was smart; how did he pull that off?” Alpha asked.“I saw him studying a book; he read their rules word for word and found a loophole,” I said. They nod their heads.“D
Valeria POVIt’s been a long time since the entire ordeal. Things have remained ever-peaceful since then, and we’ve all been living peacefully. Adrian, my parents, the pillars—I have no single idea what they are up to. My life has been a circle: training with the warriors and new recruits, spending time with my mate, and now my family. After that day, the pillars didn’t try to contact us; they stayed out of our business, as did Adrain. I got calls from my parents and Ruby, telling me to come back home. They said a lot of mean things, said I was ungrateful, and betrayed them after all they did for me, but I paid no mind to them. Damien told me after some time that Adrain banished Ruby and my parents from the pack; he was no longer funding my parents’ pack or remain in any contact with them. He only kept his son. Now my parents are suffering, the pack is dying, and they are barely surviving.Damien said other packs are now preying on them for my father’s land but, he has been fighting
Valeria POVAlpha and Luna walked in carrying a few bags, and I collected them from Luna, dropping them beside the couch as she took her seat, breathing out.“Why are there bandages everywhere?” I asked, looking at the stitches in her face and hand; they were all covered in bandages.“They attacked me with wolfbane,” she said. They really planned it through.“Wow, at least we now know it was done by the pillars, or Adrain. Not everyone has access to that,” I said. She nods her head.“But they were not wolves, though,” she said. I sat down, looking at Damien as he walked in, seated beside his mom. I could see the worry on his face. I can’t imagine losing someone he loves. He is still not healed from his sister's death; he has just learnt to live with it. His mom dying would be a colossal blow. And we all know that if Luna dies, Alpha is typically dead.“What were they?” I asked.“Humans, but they are skilled. It’s like they are taking steroids,” she said. What is a steroid?“If they we
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