VALERIE The sunlight that streamed into the room forced me to snap my eyelids open.I groaned loudly and snapped my head to the side, slamming my eyes shut.“How do you feel?" A voice muttered and I fluttered my eyes open again.I stared at Bianca's pale face and a lump formed in my throat.I couldn't remember how I got to the bed as all I could hear in the back of my mind was an explosion and a yell for help, a voice that I recognized after a while as mine.“Bianca? I'm not dead?" I whispered as she forced a smile into her face. She shook her head and strode towards me, then sat down at the edge of the bed before clasping her hands in mine.“No, the miners were able to get you out on time; it's all thanks to Miranda; she noticed your disappearance and alerted some of the miners," she replied, and my brows raised in confusion.Miranda? Who was that?I parted my lips to ask the question when the door opened and the grumpy girl sauntered in. She looked up and her feet froze.“Oh… she i
VALERIE I dropped the mop in its rightful position before sighing loudly, my body aching with tiredness. My eyes were heavy, screaming for a short nap or if possible, a nice long sleep. But unfortunately, none of the two options was possible. “Done with the cleaning?" Julianna's voice growled behind me and I felt my heart twitch in fear. I gulped hard and spun around, forcing a smile into my pale face. “Yes," I replied. She narrowed her large owlish eyes, chuckling loudly. Her chuckle made her sagging breasts and protruding belly bounce and quiver. I snapped my eyes away from the unattractive sight, wondering why she would work around like that giving off orders and declaring what a tyrant she was. “Alright, come with me!" She hissed, waving her large hands ahead. “Don't be sluggish," she added as she forced her fat-filled legs to move forward. I trudged after her, silently enduring her annoying words and sneers. As we walked along the large passageway, my gaze fell on the
VALERIE My lips opened and slammed shut, I batted my lashes, my heart twitching in pain. Her eyes narrowed intimidatingly around my body and she chuckled. “Who are you?” She asked and my brows raised in surprise. “Huh?" I stammered, wondering if I heard right. Who am I? Has she forgotten me? I felt relieved and grateful that she didn't remember me. “Oh, me?" I stammered and gulped hard before glancing up at her beautiful face again. “I'm a maid. Julianna sent me over to have your room cleaned up," I said and bowed, making sure to sound as polite as possible. “I don't like it when people bow before me, so stop it," she muttered, and I snapped my head up in surprise. “Huh?" I mumbled again in confusion. I felt confused by her strange behavior. She wasn't acting like the girl I met earlier in the hallway. She sounded different; she smelt different, and she acted different. I parted my lips and spilled out the perturbing question in my mind. “Who are you if you don't mind?” I
VALERIE I slowly turned with my heart in my hand. My eyes widened in dismay as I stared at the Luna of Blood Moon Pack, the vicious and feared queen of the wolf kingdom. From what Bianca told me about her, I could tell her power, aura, and wickedness were full of evil.“My queen," my voice quivered as I bowed low to the ground.“You called my daughter a bitch and a peacock?" Her authoritative voice made my throat knot.I wanted to defend myself but couldn't. No matter how hard I tried, my lips wouldn't part or move.No, Mother, there is–” She raised her hand, shutting Arlene up."Take her away!” She ordered and soldiers trooped into the room. My heart sank as I stared pleadingly at her."Please, have mercy, my queen. Please have mercy!” I finally found my voice and screamed out as they dragged me out of the room.I watched my whole world crumble before me as they dragged me off to an underground. The sound of the steel doors pulling open made my heart leap. I was roughly pushed in by
VALERIE I blinked and stepped back but ended up pushing down a thin, dirty-looking boy to the ground. He cried out in pain, and I spun around, enveloped in guilt.“I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry," I muttered, trying to pacify him as I helped him up and patted his head.He looked up at me with rheumy eyes that pleaded for freedom. The same freedom that I sought for.I couldn't believe that they had a little innocent child locked up in here for a crime his Alpha might have unintentionally committed. I wondered how long he had been in there for an offense, he did not know of.“There, there. Consoling your kind, huh?" Her stinging voice came up again and compelled me to turn around.“You think you've won?" I wanted to stop myself from replying to her curt words but I couldn't. I wasn't weak; neither was I dumb.She frowned and snapped her head back. After the fading of some seconds, she shifted her gaze back to me, her lips stretched out in humor.“Well… have you then?" She muttered, showing
VALERIE My heart thumped loudly and I slowly turned. I felt my heart skip a beat as I stared at Lucian's uptight face.“What are you doing in here?" He snapped in a rugged voice as he ran his eyes over my crouched body in suspicion.“I… I…" I gulped hard, unable to find an answer to his question. My mind reeled, and different suggestions ran through my head, but none of them made sense like the last one.“I came to thank you and your brother for standing up for me," I blurted out, hoping he didn't catch a glimpse of dishonesty in my eyes.“Oh… really?" He muttered in a calm voice and stepped fully into the room, shutting the door behind him.My heartbeat increased as I watched his steps, wondering what was going on in his mind. His face or eyes didn't dare give his thoughts away. I clenched my fist as he got closer, hoping he didn't get to fish out the piece of paper hidden under my ass.I shifted uncomfortably, cranking my head back to check if a peek of the paper was in view but s
KILLIAN A slip of paper caught my eyes as Lucian talked. I squatted down and picked it then flipped it over. My eyes dimmed as I read the names written on the paper.“Wasn't this paper on the table?" I asked, extending it towards Lucian.His lips slammed shut as he narrowed his eyes at it.“And?" He muttered grumpily, slipping on a sapphire ring on his finger.“I found it on the floor," I replied and he snapped his gaze towards me in confusion.“I kept it right here," he tapped a space before him.I glanced down at the place and then at the paper.I saw him put it there and I was sure that this paper didn't fly down to that pace on its own.“What was that girl doing when you got in?" Lucian tilted his head, trying to understand who I was referring to.“What girl?" He asked, settling his gaze and attention on the ring strapped around his finger.“That girl, what is her name?" I snapped my head back, hoping that I'd remember her name.Lucian looked up at me with an amused look on his
VALERIE My jaws fell open as I let her words sink in slowly. “You will help me escape?" I muttered again. A scowl slowly replaced the smirk on her face and she scoffed loudly in disgust. “Your sight irritates me. The best way to get rid of you is by letting you get away from my brothers; that way, I won't be able to cross paths with you every day," she snickered, narrowing her eyes at me. Though her words sent a sharp pain through my body, I was somewhat thankful that she hated me that badly. “That's a good thing," I said, smiling lightly. She tilted her head and returned the false smile before stepping away. “Get out," she muttered and I obeyed her instantly. “I'm going to take you to one of the boundaries of the wolf kingdom. You'll find your way from there,” she muttered and I broke into smiles, showering praises on her. Pride darted across her grey orbs and she smirked before leading the way into the car. My heart kept thumping loudly in excitement as we drove
KILLIAN He shook when that question slipped out of my mouth. "What?" He whispered in a trembling voice, staggering back. I gripped his chin and forced him to look into my blazing eyes. "You are not Damion, are you?" I asked. He scoffed loudly, disbelief darting across his orbs. "I can't believe this! What the heck has gotten into you, huh? Why do you hate me so much!" He groused, tears glistening in his eyes. My throat knotted, and guilt tried to find its way into my mind, but I pushed it aside, ignoring the victim card he was trying to play. "You never liked me from the beginning. You killed my mate and yet I forgave you, and… and yet you have the guts to try to put words in my mouth! Is that your way of taking my life after doing that to my mate, you bastard?" He growled. I scoffed and shrugged nonchalantly, narrowing my eyes without any ounce of remorse."Until I'm clarified that you're Damion, I'll keep hunting you," I muttered and turned around, walking out of the roofto
KILLIAN Lucian pushed the door open and walked in when we got no response after countless knocks. I trailed after him into the room and slammed the door shut behind me. My eyes fell on a body under a duvet and I needed no one to tell me that she was the one curled up in there. "Little Val?" Lucian called out to her but got no response. I sighed in frustration and made to move closer but Lucian held me back.My eyes dimmed in shock at his strange behavior towards me."Lucian?" I muttered, slowly getting enraged.He turned and faced me, dropping his hand which held me back."You've caused enough trouble for everyone. I'll advise you to stay away from her if you want her to be happy," he muttered, and my heart clenched in fury."You think I'm the cause of her unhappiness?" I scoffed in disbelief, glaring at him.He took a step closer, his brows furrowing together."If you hadn't started this mess in the first place, little Val would have been alright and happy," he spat.I balled my
MICHELLE A smile spread out across my face as I watched her struggle to stay alive inside Valerie's body. "Give it up, Asmodeus, Valerie Garrett has returned," I snarled. Her head jerked up, and she growled in fury, then leaped towards me, knocking out my hand, which gripped her shoulder. Her hand reached for my neck and she pushed me roughly, hitting my back on the wall. My heart skipped but I maintained my stance and sank my nails into her flesh, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip. A dark cloud darted across her eyes and her grip around my neck tightened. "What did you say about my father, bitch?!" She growled in rage. I stiffened in shock and my eyes darkened as the realization hit me Valerie was back. She had subdued Asmodeus, and she wasn't just back to dominate her body and save the Lycan kings; she was back to seek revenge, to destroy. "If you didn't hear what I said then you wouldn't unlock yourself and come out," I wheezed, struggling to breathe as she choked me.
VALERIE (Asmodeus)The hall was silent as all eyes were fixed on Michelle, demanding an explanation for her behavior. My fist clenched under the table as I glared warningly at her. Sweat broke out on my back as I thought of ways to stop her without creating more suspicions around me. "I think we're being attacked," Michelle blurted out. My nails sank into my palm and my throat knotted, my burning gaze fixed on Michelle's face. She turned and stared at me, her lips twitched into a smirk. She turned and faced the Luna again, that sinister smile lurking around her sharp dark eyes. "There is something that I must confess, Luna," she mumbled I figured out that she might have nothing to lose in this as Damion was behind her and would support her against me. I had to do something before it was too late. "Luna…" she paused and looked at me before facing the Luna, fake tears gathering in her eyes. "There is a—" I screamed in agony and gripped my stomach, dropping out of my chair. E
VALERIE (Asmodeus)Damion glanced at me again and looked away, fidgeting slightly in his seat. I smiled ruefully and swerved my head in Michelle's direction. Her eyes locked with mine and she quickly looked away, shivering slightly. My lips twitched in excitement at how I had trapped them in my nest. The only way they could escape was to obey my words and demands. I looked at the woman again, knowing exactly how to use them as my pawns to accomplish what I had in mind. "The Lycan kings aren't here yet?" The Luna Queen asked for the fourth time since everyone arrived and took their seats. "No, my lady," her maidservant replied and she sighed in disappointment, shaking her head. "Luna, are you sure they'll come? I heard that they hardly attend gatherings," the woman muttered. The Luna pouted in anger and sighed again, unable to defend her sons. "I wonder who told you that," a hard voice echoed in the hall and everyone swerved their head in the direction of the voice. My throat
VALERIE (Asmodeus)I hummed as I analyzed the bracelets before me. I smelled of citrus and the suffocating scent of Valerie Garrett. "You should try this on," Bianca said, extending a bracelet towards me. I raised my head in her direction and stared down at the pearl bracelet dangling in her outstretched hand. I forced a smile into my face and took the bracelet then slipped it around my wrist. I stared at the pearl bracelet strapped around my wrist and chuckled in excitement.It was hard to believe that Valerie lived happily in the Nox household while I was locked away underneath the freezing dark waters of the Isle of the Blessed.A cold touch on my shoulder caused me to flinch in fear. I sighed in relief when I saw Bianca's face staring down at me with worry etched against her face. "You seemed to be lost in deep thoughts," Bianca blurted out. I forced a smile into my face and shook my head. "No, no, it's nothing serious," I muttered, adding a low, nervous laughter at the e
VALERIE We swerved our heads in the direction of the scream, and my eyes dimmed when they fell on Michelle. I narrowed my eyes, the worry that sprang up in my heart slowly settling down."Shit!" Garam spat in rage and let go of my neck. Michelle marched towards us, her eyes blazing in anger and her clenched fist swinging beside her. "You bastard!" She growled and grabbed his collar, throwing him off me. His back slammed against the wall and it cracked while he groaned out in pain. "What the fuck did you do to Damion?" She groused and slapped him hard on the face. My brows raised in surprise as I watched her land hit after hit on him. She raised her fist to slam his fist for the umpteenth time but he grabbed her fist, shoving her back. He staggered up and wiped the blood that dripped from the cut on his lower lip. "You are no different from me, bitch!" Garam spat at her. She was taken aback by his outburst, and for a moment, they stood still, fuming in anger and glaring at e
VALERIE I watched her pour the tea in silence, a smile plastered against my face. She straightened up after pouring the tea and sighed loudly, a smile on her face. "Here," she chipped and pushed the teacup closer, grinning widely. I chuckled, grazing my finger over the tip of the cup. "Anything else?" I asked. "Of course not, I just want to make sure that you are alright," she said. I raised my head and forced a smile into my face to please her. "Well… as you can see, I am fine," I replied in a sharp tone that made her brows raise. "Why do you talk that way with me, Valerie?" She asked. The happiness in her voice slowly faded away. I tilted my head to the side and folded my hand over my chest. "You're just a maidservant? How else do you want me to talk to you, huh?" I taunted, adding a mocking laughter at the end. His brows knotted, and I saw shock dart across her flushed face. "I can't believe this," she muttered, scoffing loudly. I felt happiness swell up in me as I st
KILLIAN My breath hitched the moment the cold metal got pressed down on my neck. A pair of pitch-black eyes glared down at me, and a pair of gloved hands gripped tight unto the blade. "You sent you?" I asked between clenched teeth. The face was masked, making it impossible to view the expression on his face. "My lord says your time is up. You shouldn't have dared mess with him," he muttered in a throaty voice that shook at the end. My eyes dimmed and I began to wonder which of the Alphas would dare try to assassinate me. I slowly reached for the gun I had on me and pulled it out. "Well… tell your boss you tried your best to accomplish the task," I mumbled, and before he could slit my throat with the blade, I pulled the trigger into his abdomen. He froze and his eyes widened in horror. Drops of warm liquid fell on my thighs, causing me to groan in disgust. I pushed the rogue off me and snatched the blade out of his slackened grip before reaching for the mask over his face. I