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
ValerieLeaning against the nearest pillar, I could still feel the penetrating stares and murmurs of some of the people. Despite not wanting to be noticed before I came here, here I was.With a sigh, I sipped my glass of orange juice. It couldn't be helped anyways. The light music eased my mind from the chatter anyways. Taking the last sip of my glass of fruit juice I looked around at the people roaming dancing and the minibar. The night went on and so did the party, or in this case the after-party of this failed ceremony.Despite the mating ceremony not happening, all the preparations were already put in place and couldn’t be wasted. It was a surprise when after the silence following Alyn's exit, Tristan broke the tension by announcing that tge after-party will still take place. The whispers and murmurs that followed were plenty, but the after-party seemed to have calmed and relaxed everyone.This final party was taking place within the pack house Gardens, a more private yet open s
ValerieBright light pierced my eyes as I opened them. I groaned at the pounding headache forming. Everything felt strange. Too bright, too much. Like a hangover.Which was impossible. I hadn't drank anything. I'd…What happened to me?Any lethargy left completely disappeared as I forced my eyes open despite the harsh glare. Sitting up, I could still feel the harsh effects of the…drug.‘I was drugged’ I inhaled sharply as the remainder of the memories last night slipped in. I could still remember what happened after discovering it. I’d wandered around and heard a…voice.Who’s voice?After adjusting to the light I looked around frantically. This wasn't the pack house but the pack hotel. But it wasn't mine.I jolted from the bed at the salons of the door creaking , whipping my head to find a door opening to reveal…Alistair. In only a towel. “I see you're awake,” he smiled, yet all I could feel was panic. There were too many questions. How had I gotten here? What happened while I was
Valerie “Thanks Mina. I'll talk to you later.”“I can't wait to see you again. Bye for now.”With those words our call finally ended. Sitting up from the bed I stretched my arms, pleasure filled me at the cracks of my joints before I relaxed and looked out of the mirror with a sigh.After falling back asleep for a few more hours before waking up again, I was in higher spirits. Far more refreshed than ever. It didn't hurt that I'd heard nothing but good news from Mina who hadn't had any problems with the flower shop since, albeit teasing complaints about feeling alone.I didn't need to check the time. Solely from the sun alone I could tell it was already past noon. The activities going on below however, were much more interesting. Several of the cars and pack representatives were already leaving. It was still early since most packs aimed to leave later in the evening, Alistair and I included.Perhaps because of that there was no sight of Tristan to send them off. A pang instantly ran
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
Tristan After that day, everything changed. Alyn had returned to her parents home and I barely saw her. The few times I did, I couldn't find it in myself to look at her, the memory of what she'd tried to do- attempting to take advantage of me- was still fresh in my mind. She grew more erratic over the next few days after, often making up an act. Unlike the past however, I could see it clearly now. The clear victimhood. The image I had of her was cracked, and now I couldn't help but wonder; why? I ignored her, simply distancing myself. I was too piled up in waves of guilt and self loathing to fully entertain her actions anyways. Perhaps it was naive, but I forced it aside. Surely that was a sole incident that would eventually be forgotten. That was what I thought until one day, I woke up in the middle of the night to find her naked atop me. I'd opened my eyes with an uneasy feeling. It wasn't until I saw her frame in the darkness that I realised what was happening. What Alyn w
TristanI didn't notice how I'd moved or how I'd managed to get there in time. The moment I saw the flock of the trigger everything felt like a blur. Then the gunshot came and then…Pain.It was like an out of body experience. I could feel the seating bullet lodged in my body yet at the same time everything was completely numb. I didn't fully process it until I saw the red stain on Valerie's hands and dress. ‘Valerie,’ She was all I could think of.Facing her tear filled eyes and stricken look made my heart hurt. For the first time I held hope that we were getting somewhere, no matter how long it took, only for this to happen. A gunshot and Valerie once again, except this time I was on the other end of her shoes.Call it déjà vu, karma or the universe's sick sense of humour. At this moment, it didn't matter which was which. I would make the same decision again and again.If I was going to die saving her life like she did mine once, then it was worth it.As the darkness crept in, I f
ValerieI closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact. The pain.Was this going to be my end? Was history going to repeat itself?All this time, avoiding everything all to end up like this. Things being different but the same.Maybe I shouldn't have egged her on. I should have been softer. Begged and pleaded for my life. If not for anything else, for the sake of my child. But I hadn't. And if time was turned I probably wouldn't. Not after everything I'd heard.How ironic it was that I'd caused my own death, this time more directly. A twinge of guilt and shame filled me. ‘I'm sorry,’ I whispered to my child. Perhaps I deserved it but they didn't. But it was too late. I was dying and so will they. I wasn't foolish to beg the moon goddess for a second chance. The life I'd lived had gone past my expectations, no matter how many regrets I left behind this time, I'd have no choice.Time seemed to tick on as the screams reached my ears. Waiting for the hot searing pain that followed bef
Valerie“Oh good, everyone's here.” Alyn giggled in a near hysterical tone, “Let them all see this if they came for a show.”The hollowness in my gut grew even further. She acted like there was nothing to lose. And that? That truly scared me.Her other hand aimed my way still hadn't wavered despite her flailing. “Alyn!” I heard Tristan shout amongst the clamouring. Before I could think she had moved closer, the metallic head of the gun inches away.“If anyone moves any closer, I'll shoot now.” Alyn announced. The place stilled immediately and everyone present at the entrance remained there.“Alyn, stop what you're doing now. What on earth had gotten into you.” my father's voice barked.“Dad, mom.” Alyn smiled, “You two always supported me. Never questioned anything I said. You were always freaking fools.” She sneered. I swore I heard my parents gasp through the noises and the blood rushing through my ears. “You couldn't tell whenever I lied about something about Valerie. You alw
Valerie“And then…and then one of them fell into the pool.” Sophia giggled against me and a smile reached my lips.“That sounds horrendous.”“Absolutely horrendous.” She snorted before devolving anymore laughter.We hadn't gone far this time, spending time in the garden at the backyard where I'd rested for several minutes. Sophia had kept me company, regaling me with tales of some of her entertaining moments. Another week passed in the blink of an eye. Yet unlike the first, things felt peaceful. “Are you looking forward to dinner?” She giggled. I smacked her playfully in response.Ever since that day I no longer took my food in my room. It felt like deja Vu to go down the stairs yet meeting Tristan alone at the other end. We would speak through those times with him either talking about whatever pack matters and I sometimes sharing my advice or talking about the flower shop over the past few months.Everytime, he would look at me in a certain way. A look that seemed to spell adoratio
Alyn I could hear them.The blue colors of the room surrounded me. Always there. Always taunting. Bitterness swelled inside me. I hadn't gone outside for days. All the stares, were too much.Once they would look at me with smiles, hanging on to my words. They supported me. I hated it.And it was all her fault.Their muffled voices rang through the room as they arrived. A few moments ago, they had come to my door assuring me to resolve things, to talk to Tristan.Now that they were back, they had to have some good news.It was night, so they no doubt thought I was asleep. Good. I leaned against the door, waiting for what they would say. It was quiet at first. Too quiet.It shouldn't be quiet.“Alyn made a mistake. It…it had to be a mistake.”Hope filled my chest. They were always so good to me. So easy.Always jumping to my defense. But that didn't matter. They were still on my side. If I could talk to them, shed a few more tears, they would make sure I spoke to Tristan. Then I
PRESENT DAY Tristan I swallowed thickly at the reminder. Facing her now, that memory felt like nothing.I still had no idea what she knew or remembered from that night, or the version of events Alistair had told her. Yet as she came to me in my office the next day, guilt swelled in me. I'd pushed her away as I'd promised myself, leaving no room for contact. There was a reason she'd left in the first place after all, and with me on the backseat of her mind alongside the trouble she went through she'd be happier off.The moment the door slammed in my office that day, I repeated those thoughts as if to convince myself but the regret had already set in.Her striking doe eyes pierced mine. I had been silent for a while now. Swallowing thickly, my mind raced. But else was there to say but the truth?“I was afraid,” I finally admitted,With three words, her brows scrunched in a look of confusion I couldn't help but find pretty.“Afraid of what?” She asked. “Afraid that by getting closer
FLASHBACK: THE NIGHT OF THE MATING CEREMONY AFTER-PARTY TristanThe celebrations had dwindled outside, but it was still ongoing. I sighed, resting against the couch from the bedroom. After everything that happened this evening, it was a better result than nothing.Many of the Pack representatives that spoke to me offered sympathies during the after party. Glad for what took place before I'd fallen into a sham marriage and even praised my ‘magnanimity’. To that I said something all across the same lines.“Valerie is the one that deserves all the praise”“If it wasn't for Valerie, I wouldn't be like this.”“Valerie helped me a lot.”At some point I was sure that they'd caught on that it was more than appreciation I felt. Every one from the different packs were more than aware of our firmer bond, her exit and how she was now staying by Alistair's side. It sent frissons of embarrassment through me on how obvious it seemed. Even glancing at her slightly from the distance made me melt. M