Valerie It took several more minutes of thinking before I left the bathroom. “You were gone a while,” Alistair commented as I sat down, “is something wrong?” “Something about the food here perhaps,” I said, barely keeping the acidity in my voice to dismiss him. It took a millisecond after to regret my harshness. He was just worried for me.That pushed me to offer a gentle apologetic smile his way. As I kept on eating my gaze flew to the empty seat beside Alyn.The luncheon was nearing its end and I had no idea where to start looking for him. Even then, it would be impossible for me to approach him without gaining attention from the others.I had to find a way to contact him without letting anybody else notice.My eyes narrowed on Alyn for one last time before I averted my gaze to focus on the food.After we were done, all of us as guests were free to do as we liked and roam the pack. After leaving the hall, I retired straight to my guest room to think.Id come here set on not in
ValerieThe next day, just as the pack city was waking up, I was already there. My gaze was fixed on the window, watching the dawn break.In the note I had given him were three details, my number and an address to this place alongside a time that was nearing with every second now. His text was enough to tell me that he would be here. I'd picked this place specifically for two reasons, with it being closer to the pack border and because it was the one place I knew opened incredibly early. There was nobody else in sight aside from the one attendant for now but he didn't spare a glance at me and rightfully so. I had taken measures to hide my identity with a hoodie covering my hair and a mask for my face to avoid any spare pack member lurking in this time of the day from noticing. The last thing I wanted was any attention, especially when meeting him. The longer the seconds the more anxious I felt. At the sound of the cafe door ringing open, I whipped my head and all my anxieties fa
Valerie“Goddess, I've been standing for too long. My hips hurt.” “Let's do this quickly then so we can go home.”I stiffened as the two voices moved through. It belonged to my mother and father respectively. Why were they here?There were some rustling sounds I couldn't piece together despite being near the door. Tristan's breathing was thin, but I still couldn't tell what was going on with his being so CLOSE.‘Get your head straight,’ I warned myself, forcing myself to focus on whatever was going on outside.The sound only lasted seconds before footsteps thumped.“Do you think she'll be happy with this? Perhaps we should have bought her something new.” my mother asked, sounding unsure about whatever it was.“Why not? It was formerly your necklace. It's only right that she received this as her wedding gift.” my father said, shocking me to the bone.I knew the exact necklace she was talking about, gifted by my father as a courting gift. Now she was passing on her heirloom to Alyn.M
TristanThe glass of whiskey in my hand looked amber in the dim light of my study.Every single time I was brought here because of her.“Nobody cared about me, not even you,” Her words burned more than the whiskey ever could. It burned hot and lashed out in anger aimed at her parents. For their harsh unforgiving ignorant anf insulting words. But most of all, for myself. A part of me longed for my past life's memories to the point of desperation but the other side of me feared what I would see. If I was going to be just as horrible if not worse. It didn't really matter considering how I was fully aware of how I treated her. Her death was reversed but it didn't change everything leading up to it. Our mate bond was severed and she was free. Yet , despite all of that, she was here, helping me. The pack constantly spoke in my favor, but they were all wrong. It was I who didn't deserve her. I didn't deserve her kindness, this second chance she was giving me. I didn't deserve her help,
Valerie ‘So, this is how it ends’I felt faint despite the noises surrounding me. The only sensations I had was blinding pain, the warm wetness on my hand and the knowledge that I was shot.Colors filled my vision before everything became clearer. I was on the ground, hands surrounding me that I recognized as Mina, my maid's.“Luna Valerie,” she cried. The memory of what happened moments before filtered in my mind.A simple meeting regarding the pack when a maid suddenly aimed a gun at him. Nobody else noticed.“Alpha Alistair sends his regards,” I heard the assassin say,Before I knew it, I ran to block him and now…I was here.I shifted to the side to find him.My husband, mate and only love, Tristan was dragging Alyn, my sister away from the scene, pulling her back as she tried to reach me. Not once had his eyes crossed here.I sacrificed myself for him, yet he couldn't even look at me or pay attention to me. His eyes, just like his heart and attention, had solely been on my sister
Valerie “Why aren't you downstairs? Don't you know your parents and Alys are waiting for you?” He barked, glaring at me. As tradition stated breakfast within the pack house couldn't start without my presence. It was why I strained myself to wake up so early despite not being a morning person.Were I not in shock, I would have realized.“I…I'm sorry,” I stuttered, “I was just-”“Don’t make any excuses,” he cut me off,“Alyn just recovered from a cold and you're letting her wait for food? Come and let everyone eat.”I pursed my lips shut as he turned away, not even letting me speak. The shock drained away to a familiar ache and I smiled mirthlessly.Of course, the only thing that mattered to him was Alyn.I thought I was used to this, but somehow reliving this hurt worse, especially now.“There you are!” My mother huffed as I arrived, “The food is getting cold. Are you trying to make Alyn fall sick again?”I clenched my jaw. Alyn could eat anytime wished, just like my parents could i
Valerie Silence filled the hall. Nobody said a word as they looked at me. “What are you saying! Are you stupid?” My father suddenly snapped, making me turn back,“I've already thought over my decision father, mother.” I said before turning towards Tristan.“Alpha Tristan, I reject you as my mate. The Moon Goddess bears witness,” I said,Instantly, the bond snapped painfully, but I managed to remain still. The burning sensation lasted as I looked at him completely winded as he stumbled back.“What the-” he breathed out, looking utterly shocked. “I know it wasn't your intention to ever be with me. Not when your true love was by your side. I'd been a barrier to that, but not anymore.” I said.“The rumors were right. Our bond was a mistake from the Moon Goddess and I have to rectify that. Now you can be with the sister you wanted all along.”He looked dazed, like he couldn't understand my words, but I knew he would agree. ‘You never loved me anyways,’ I thought. I was a fool to keep o
Valerie I hesitated. If I refused, I didn't know what he'd do. But joining his pack… After minutes of thinking, it finally came to me. “No,” I finally spoke, making him frown before I rushed out “I won't join your pack, but I have an alternative deal.” He raised a single eyebrow, scrutinizing me but I persisted, speaking while hiding my nerves. Once I finished, he chuckled but I stayed firm. Even though I could tell it wasn't what he wanted, he finally nodded. “You make a fine bargain. Fine then,” he agreed, raising his hand to shake “Pleasure to work with you…Valerie.” he purred, I didn't reply, shaking his hands. The moment I touched him a sharp zing courses my senses. I couldn't barely process it as I let go, meeting his icy blue eyes. “Likewise,” I only managed to muster. As I left the hall my mind circled the sensation. Had I done the right thing? …. ONE MONTH LATER That day, I had set up an alternative deal, one that was enough of a compromise b
TristanThe glass of whiskey in my hand looked amber in the dim light of my study.Every single time I was brought here because of her.“Nobody cared about me, not even you,” Her words burned more than the whiskey ever could. It burned hot and lashed out in anger aimed at her parents. For their harsh unforgiving ignorant anf insulting words. But most of all, for myself. A part of me longed for my past life's memories to the point of desperation but the other side of me feared what I would see. If I was going to be just as horrible if not worse. It didn't really matter considering how I was fully aware of how I treated her. Her death was reversed but it didn't change everything leading up to it. Our mate bond was severed and she was free. Yet , despite all of that, she was here, helping me. The pack constantly spoke in my favor, but they were all wrong. It was I who didn't deserve her. I didn't deserve her kindness, this second chance she was giving me. I didn't deserve her help,
Valerie“Goddess, I've been standing for too long. My hips hurt.” “Let's do this quickly then so we can go home.”I stiffened as the two voices moved through. It belonged to my mother and father respectively. Why were they here?There were some rustling sounds I couldn't piece together despite being near the door. Tristan's breathing was thin, but I still couldn't tell what was going on with his being so CLOSE.‘Get your head straight,’ I warned myself, forcing myself to focus on whatever was going on outside.The sound only lasted seconds before footsteps thumped.“Do you think she'll be happy with this? Perhaps we should have bought her something new.” my mother asked, sounding unsure about whatever it was.“Why not? It was formerly your necklace. It's only right that she received this as her wedding gift.” my father said, shocking me to the bone.I knew the exact necklace she was talking about, gifted by my father as a courting gift. Now she was passing on her heirloom to Alyn.M
ValerieThe next day, just as the pack city was waking up, I was already there. My gaze was fixed on the window, watching the dawn break.In the note I had given him were three details, my number and an address to this place alongside a time that was nearing with every second now. His text was enough to tell me that he would be here. I'd picked this place specifically for two reasons, with it being closer to the pack border and because it was the one place I knew opened incredibly early. There was nobody else in sight aside from the one attendant for now but he didn't spare a glance at me and rightfully so. I had taken measures to hide my identity with a hoodie covering my hair and a mask for my face to avoid any spare pack member lurking in this time of the day from noticing. The last thing I wanted was any attention, especially when meeting him. The longer the seconds the more anxious I felt. At the sound of the cafe door ringing open, I whipped my head and all my anxieties fa
Valerie It took several more minutes of thinking before I left the bathroom. “You were gone a while,” Alistair commented as I sat down, “is something wrong?” “Something about the food here perhaps,” I said, barely keeping the acidity in my voice to dismiss him. It took a millisecond after to regret my harshness. He was just worried for me.That pushed me to offer a gentle apologetic smile his way. As I kept on eating my gaze flew to the empty seat beside Alyn.The luncheon was nearing its end and I had no idea where to start looking for him. Even then, it would be impossible for me to approach him without gaining attention from the others.I had to find a way to contact him without letting anybody else notice.My eyes narrowed on Alyn for one last time before I averted my gaze to focus on the food.After we were done, all of us as guests were free to do as we liked and roam the pack. After leaving the hall, I retired straight to my guest room to think.Id come here set on not in
ValerieI was awake by dawn, far too early in the morning than i was used to. I knew there was no way I was getting any more sleep. I picked up my phone immediately after, calling Mina to check on her and the shop. She was no doubt opening as the early bird. For a moment, even speaking with her brought me back to a relaxed state, reminding me of where my home now was.‘Thats right,’ I sighed to myself as I listened to my only friend’s voice through the phone. Staying here was only temporary.Last night lingered in my mind but I didn't tell her. There was no use burdening her with things that didn't matter. We finished talking by the time the sun was up, leaving me to bask in the day. The tension lingered, the instinct to leave the room or anticipate an entrance was there.‘No longer Luna,’ I reminded myself. I was no longer in the pack house and heavy with responsibilities I was free to do as I wished. I could stay in for as long as I wanted.In a rebellion I’d rarely shown before,
ValerieMy mind went blank for the second time.I thought I'd already received enough shocks for today, first with his arrival and apology and now this?He didn't sleep with Alyn or he believed he didn't? If so, what was the whole point of the wedding? Alys' pregnancy being announced?There were no words I could think to say. The silence went on for seconds until he spoke again,“I …I think, I know so, even if there's no proof.” he rushed out, his expression fell, looking the opposite of ‘sure’.‘The latter then,’ I thought to myself. He had answered my own question without knowing it.“Whatever that happened between you two is none of my business as far as I'm concerned,” I said, trying to revive the distance between us. “But simply as an observer, I think it's be if you settle it within yourself. Id never wished this kind of union on you, but if you're making ideas to justify all this-”“Is that what you think of me as?” He bit out, taking me aback.His face was still open, but t
ValerieI could barely think under the shock. Why on earth was he here?As soon as the shock faded, my instincts kicked in.“No.” I replied, ready to close the door until his hand lunged to the doorframe, making me stop.“Valerie,” he called out, but I had enough.Why in Goddess's name was he here? Composing myself, I glared at him.“You ought to be celebrating with your fiancée,” I said coldly,“I just want to talk,” “Talk about what? We've said all we had to say last time we met Alpha Tristan.” I retorted, watching him rear back from my words. I was already exhausted and tired of pretending. The last thing I could do was to be cordial to him at this moment. I wanted him gone.A sigh left my lips. Shutting my eyes against the faint ache of our bond I forced a smile.“Please leave and return to the celebrations before anybody notices your absence. You're the host after all and I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.” I said, preparing to shut the door, his hand blocking it be d
Valerie It didn’t take long for the time to come. Only three days after learning of their engagement I was now here, on my way back to my former pack. The flower shop was left in Mina's care and with her assurance and farewell, I felt more at ease with leaving. The roads and cities flew by through the window of the car door I leaned against. Shifting slightly to the side I spied a glance at Alistair, still facing forward while the driver at the front kept on moving. He'd given all responsibilities to his second in command. It was just two of us going there. Heaving a small breath, I turned away in favor of sleeping. It was best I relaxed as much as possible while I could. It was the best choice I'd made. By the time we neared the pack, hours had passed and the evening sky had turned a deep orange hue, closer to darkness. Despite gearing myself for this, my heart still hammered in my chest when we entered the pack. Nothing much had changed, nor did I expect it to. There
ValerieI would have sworn I'd stopped breathing if not for the hammering heartbeat pounding against me like bass. I looked over it again and the names hadn't changed.They were having a mating ceremony. They were going to be together.The rest of reality melted back into my focus and I realized Alistair was still watching me. Clearing my throat, I quickly composed myself and dropped the invitation back on the table, ignoring how it burned the tips of my fingers. I forced myself to relax, setting my mouth in a neutral line as I stared back at him.“You haven't answered my question. This has nothing to do with me.” I said, keeping my tone nonchalant even if it was anything but. “You aren't going to ask me what happened?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Was he anticipating my reaction because of my past relationship with Tristan or the time he interrupted us in the garden?I kept myself as impassive as possible.‘No’ I wanted to scream out but couldn't. The choice warred with me. A par