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,
ValerieOn waking up, I didn't know how to feel in seeing new texts from Tristan.Immediately I returned to the hotel—thankfully still alone— I forced my tears and emotions back, pushing them away in the same way my parents didn't hesitate to push me away. It was the reminder of the treasure in my belly that helped me calm down along with the assurance that there was an end to seeing them. That I would be different and would treat my children with the love they hadn't given me in a long time.Now, waking up in the early morning, I saw this.It was a simple message, asking to meet in the same cafe. The sky was still dark and there was still a chance to go. The only question was: did I want to see him?I'd lost control and he'd seen me in my visceral vulnerable state. And after…“You were my mate, but I barely knew you. And after I did, I realized how much I wished I did.”I shut my eyes tightly at those words played again and again.His words haunted my turmoil far more than the apolog
ValerieWe went the next day. As the days leading up to the ceremony passed, the fanfare and intrigue of other pack representatives had waned alongside the growing comfort within the pack. It wasn't strange for any of us to skip one or two luncheons or lounge in the hotel for the rest of the day. Not to mention that as most of them stayed within the central part of the city, there was a low chance of seeing anyone near here.Which was why although well disguised, I was more lax with going out beside him. He drove us to the pack hospital.When we entered, the clinic was spare, unsurprisingly. Unlike humans we didn't need hospitals hospitals as much unless to tend to rare but terminal illnesses, wounds or…pregnancies.I swallowed thickly as I walked past several nurses, forcing down any reminder of my baby. The last time I was here in this life was to confirm my pregnancy.With a quick knock on his door, we slipped in.“Lu…former Luna Valerie,” he quickly adjusted, bowing, “I heard of
Valerie “I suppose this is what you've been up to.” Alistair said, his voice carrying visible hardness.It nearly made me bristle in irritation. He had no right to be angry with who I was with,nor did he have the right to snap at me. but my irritation quickly doused in shame. After all, as far as I was concerned, I was only here because of him as his plus one yet I had done the opposite of keeping him company.It was also me that told him that I had nothing to do with Tristan or this pack anymore, yet here I was.“I’m sorry,” I apologized before he could say anything. “This isn't the best way to explain things, but I'm sorry for not being the companion you needed. I can't explain it fully, but something important came up. It doesn't change that.” Once I was done talking, his anger seemed to wane a bit, yet his eyes hardened as he looked behind me.“Is that why you're with him?” he asked, lifting his jaw in the direction of Tristan, Alistair who seems angry that she is associating
ValerieThe weeks of celebration were coming to an end, the mating ceremony was closer than ever.I stayed by Alistair's side throughout. There were no more excuses, no more reasons to leave. And so I attended the luncheons and dinner parties, staying beside Alistair while making conversation with other guests and avoiding Alistair's flirtations. Things should have been back to normal. I could ignore everything else and wait, ready to go home.But I couldn't.Every time, even when I tried not to, my eyes constantly shifted to him. Tristan had stopped avoiding the luncheons or dinners, coming to every event and sticking to Alyns side while entertaining everybody, yet just like before, he was far from happy.He didn't show it though, forcing strained smiles at everyone. Just like he'd said, he had resigned himself to his fate.It was in the little things. Everytime Alyn neared him, he would nearly back away but stop in his tracks before putting up a facade of calmness, if not anythin
TristanThe sound of the piano grated on my ears. Everything about this felt suffocating.The hall, now transformed for the ceremony, felt even worse. After weeks of denial, days of resignation and acceptance. It was finally here. My mating ceremony.I hated every second of it.Being here brought me back to my first mating ceremony which was ironic when it was nothing like this. There wasn't any fanfare. It was rushed and full of nerves, only a few days after her 18th birthday.We had discovered that we were mates in front of the pack during a celebration and just like that, our fates were sealed. I remembered being angry at the suddenness of having to cater to her when I barely knew her aside from the complaints of her parents and Alyn's comments.She was just 18, a few years younger than I was, yet she'd looked so composed. Now with clearer eyes, I had no doubt that she was SCARED.Why had I antagonized her even then for Alyn's sake? Why did I resent her for something out of our c
TristanThe shock simmered, surrounding the entire room. “Alpha…Tristan, what is the meaning of this,” her father gaped. My jaw clenched in response as I tore my eyes away from Valerie’s greens to stare at her father's. Something in me lurched at their pale faces, but it wasn't worry.As far as concerned, they were my family. They had been the ones to raise me after my parents died and treated me like their own son. I had always tried to please them the best I could, even when the epiphany came to me. Even as I felt like screaming at how they so blatantly treated Valerie. In spite of those scathing words I'd overheard them say about her in Alyn's room and every other time. In spite of everything I'd felt about how they'd treated her.Not this time.“I never wanted this marriage or mating ceremony,” I smiled bitterly, “This entire ceremony was forced on my part, pressured from my duties, the packs expectations after Alyns sudden announcement of her pregnancy. And especially then, I
ValerieThe sun hadn't fully risen when I'd reached the pack clinic. There was barely anyone present in the early hours of the morning with very few nurses working their shift. Immediately I entered the familiar room, I met the Pack doctor.If he noticed the tension wrapped around my shoulders, he didn't say, merely giving a small bow.“Miss Valerie,” the older man greeted. The night before he had sent the text, asking me to meet him the next morning. He had never contacted me so abruptly, far from the normal routine set in place. But that was the least of my worries when I saw the content of the text.It was a simple text, requesting that he needed to check up on the traces of the drug in my system.And also, he added in the text, on the baby. THAT was the part that had me the most nervous.The test in itself was repetitive. I'd already gotten used to it through time- a simple blood draw and a basic checkup whilst waiting for the test to run. I went through the motions mindlessly, a
ValerieAs soon as I reached my room I slammed the door shut, trying to not break down. My breaths came out shaky. I didn't know how I was able to keep myself composed for the rest of the day, but as we reached the pack house I was already nearing the brink. Guilt. Pure guilt gnawed at my conscience.‘No more secrets or things from the past.’ The weight of my secret bore down on me like a physical force, making it hard to breathe.I had agreed so damn easily when I knew it wasn't true. I'd made a promise I'd already broken.Because our child was still here, tying us together but I hadn't said a damn thing in the last two weeks.Since the confession it constantly came to mind. Every single day felt like a dream. I spent time with him and helped with his duties. We were working towards healing, towards a future together. Everything felt like this was how it was supposed to be.I'd never been happier, and it was especially in those streaks of pure joy that the thought came to mind th
TristanI could feel her eyes penetrating me without looking at her. I knew what she was thinking even without her emotions seeping through the bond.Shock. Confusion. I kept my face completely neutral, grasping into her hands more firmly and offering a tight squeeze.‘Trust me,’ I tried to convey through the simple gesture, hoping it seeped in through the bond. She didn't say a word or return the gesture, but she didn't pull away either. Her silent assent was clear.A knot formed in my throat as I grazed my eyes over the headstone. For years on end, I'd constantly visited their graves throughout every anniversary, whether it was their birthdays, their death and on my birthdays. All four occasions were still months incoming. This was the first time within the year that I'd had visited them and it felt like a far cry from the last time. I wasn't the man I was a year ago or even months ago. I was different now.An amalgamation of the past mistakes and present decisions. I was blind ba
2 Weeks LaterTristanIt was said that dying or having a near death experience was life changing. It was no doubt the same for having twice the amount.Life had become good to say the least. Nothing could probably compare to the high I was in now. It seemed to make all the weeks of limbo worth it Valerie was with me. We were together.Now, I was waiting for her to arrive.It was a date.This one however was going to be important, because I had a surprise.“Tristan?” The sound of her voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked up and my world stopped.Valerie was at the head of the stairs. Her silvery blonde hair was let down, letting it rest in its soft waves. The blue dress she wore flattered her frame perfectly, sending a twist of desire through me. She was…“Beautiful.” The words left my lips before I could think it through, but it was worth it to see the flush rise on her face.“Shut up,” she muttered, loud enough to hear, yet whatever snarky she was holding muddled underneath
ValerieThe pack hall had cleared itself in no time. My final glance at Alyn was a final hollow look she gave. As the guards dragged her out, she looked indifferent, completely unresponsive to everything around her. Like she was catatonic.Perhaps some things…some people weren't capable of change.I pushed the thought aside. After talking to the servants to help clear the hall. I turned away, ready to leave-“Valerie,”I froze at the voice behind me. The urge to run away pricked at my skin but this time I turned around. For the first time in days I met the gazes of my parents. It seemed like they had aged nearly ten years with the way they looked at me. Their faces held more wrinkles, their expressions weary and stricken. It felt like deja vu. Once in this same hall I'd escaped before they could see me. Now as they walked towards me this time I wasn't going to try to escape.They moved closer, stopping a few steps away from me. A weight formed my chest as I saw their expressions, a
Valerie The remaining two days flowed by like water. I hadn't realised how exhausted I was until I'd practically fallen dead asleep after returning from the hospital. Immediately I woke up that day I made all the provisions for his return in the meantime. Sophia and the other maids helped attend to me during that time and the rest of the servants deferred to me for orders. For the past few days I had been making any arrangements I could. I was no longer Luna yet it felt like it while I gave orders, organising things. I hadn't realised how much I missed it until now. I felt more at peace, the weight of the responsibility lighter, more welcoming. I constantly moved between the pack house and back to the hospital whenever I was done, staying with Tristan throughout. Whether it was talking, joking or staying in complete silence, I remained with him as long as possible. Throughout those two days, we never talked about Alyn, my parents or the trial that was looming. Perhaps th
Valerie 'What?’ A sharp prickle rose up my skin in shock. Of all the things he would say this was the most unexpected. “Tristan, You can't…” “It's fair and lawful.” He said, his voice neutral, “The consequences for the attempted murder of a Luna is death.” “I'm no longer Luna,” I countered, heart racing. He frowned for a moment, looking at me “Former Luna then. And no matter Alpha,” Something in me clenched. His words were correct, but still. He, who had protected her for most of her life. Even now that he'd cut all ties with her and didn't regard her anymore than as a pack member, Tristan wasn't cruel. But to easily decide this? ‘To kill her?’ “Tristan…” “Valerie,” he responded, turning to me. My breath hitched at the ashen look in his eyes. The shadows of memories I knew nothing of were reflected in them in a way that made my heart clench. “I know everything now.” He breathed out, “The maliciousness in her heart is too deep.There's no way I can let her stay in this pac
Valerie Sitting at the far corner of the room, I watched as Dr Gerard gave light orders to Tristan, checking on him. Despite the high from moments ago I'd still called on the pack doctor to check on him. I had to look at the floor to keep myself composed. I'd been staring too long, and there was only a limit when minutes of tracing the lines of his face, would seem too much. I couldn't help it though. It was proof. Proof that he was alive, with me. That the past few minutes were real. He LOVED me. The feeling settled inside me. After weeks of the strange limbo we were in, it felt like it had finally rested. I thought I could have time to think things over. Seeing him bloodied and pale, sacrificing his life for me, it all became clear. The thought had stated with me for the entirety of the wait. Sitting alone as his sole visitor and tracing his features over and over again, I'd prayed countless times with that one thing in mind. He couldn't die. I couldn't lose him witho
TristanI vaguely heard myself groan as blinding light pierced my eyes. A faint pain dulled my senses, yet as I adjusted to the brightness I could recognize where I was.The hospital.The blur of Alyn's threats, Valerie and the gunshot remained in my mind. And what happened after I lost consciousness…I shifted, attempting to sit up only to halt at a heavy sensation. Turning to my bedside I realised I wasn't alone. I would recognise that hair anywhere.'Valerie...'She was asleep, her arms intertwined on the empty space on the bed to pillow her face. Her platinum blonde waves swam across the blue matress. Her eyes were flushed, and I quickly understood why as I noticed the dried sheen tracking her cheeks. Tear stains. “Tristan! No! Stay with me!” the echo of her frantic voice remained in my mind. A knot formed in my throat. I remembered everything now. The remaining memories of my past life following her death. The burden in my chest felt even heavier.Just like now, I had realised