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Seventeen
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2024-03-06 23:18:24Related chapters
Set me Free, Alpha Eighteen
Valeria’s POV "You look a lot better today," Ivy said. "I'm guessing you're not having those pains anymore." I was about to reply, but then I noticed the faraway look in her eyes as she looked up ahead. I let the silence stretch and after a while, Ivy seemed to have forgotten that I was there. She had been acting all distant ever since I had come to see her today, but now I was sure that something was bothering her. I leaned close to whisper into her ear, "Want to share?" She jumped a little as though only realizing I was there. "What?" "What were you thinking about just now?" I asked her. "Nothing," she replied. I glanced at my watch and saw that Ivy was due back in the hospital any minute. My questioning her would have to wait, and then I had an idea. "Let's hang out later and get a couple of drinks this evening at the bar we went to last time. You in?" She smiled, nodded. "I'll meet you there. I've really got to go now." I watched her leave. Her shoulders were slumped
Last Updated : 2024-03-07Set me Free, Alpha Nineteen
Valeria’s POV Ignoring the dirty look I was sure Sasha was throwing my way, I went past her to my office. She was idly flipping through what looked like a magazine. I didn't even bother glancing at it as I walked past her to my office but I could feel her malicious eyes boring into my back until I shut the door of my office behind me. When I emerged a half hour later to go and grab a bottle of water, she almost jumped out of her seat to make her way towards me. "Busy day?" she asked me with a wide smile that I didn't trust in the least. She handed me a bulky folder. Ever since Dimitri had begun treating me specially and had more or less ignored her, Sasha had taken up acting like she hated my guts, though she was careful what she said or did considering the fact that we were in an office environment. "Yes, it is," I responded a little warily. "Have you heard the news?" she said before I had finished talking. It became pretty obvious to me that this was what she had been dyi
Last Updated : 2024-03-09Set me Free, Alpha Twenty
Dimitri’s POV As soon as Valeria went out of sight, I stormed into the building. What did she mean Summer was in there, waiting for me? She had not told me she was going to drop by the office. I stared at my phone. Not a missed call from her. I threw open the door of my office and blinked at the sight that met my eyes. No wonder Valeria had looked as though one could fry an egg on her cheeks. Summer was sprawled on my couch, legs widespread, naked as the day she was born. Her hair fell over her shoulders and partly hid her breasts. A large trench coat lay discarded on the floor next to her. An odd assortment of sex toys lay scattered on the floor next to the trenchcoat. She had turned towards me when she heard the door open and a welcoming smile played along her lips. "Hi, baby," she purred. "I've been wondering where you were. Surprised to see me. Why don't you come on over here?" I was so furious that I couldn't speak for a moment. I shut the door at once in case anyone of my
Last Updated : 2024-03-10Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-One
Valeria’s POV I sank back on the plush leather seats on Noah's car. I kicked off my heels in relief. My feet were killing me. At the party, I had been going from one client to the other, talking, networking when I wanted nothing more than to lie down and drift off to sleep. I had gotten so tired so fast, and I suspected it was because of the pregnancy. Now, Noah was pulling out of the parking lot to drive me home and I thought longingly of my bed. My phone rang and picked it up. It was Dimitri. What on earth was he calling about? "Hello?" I said tentatively. "Where are you?" was Dimitri's reply. "I'm on my way home." "With him, I suppose." It was clear who he meant by 'him'. I did not answer. "Why did you leave without letting me know? Anyway, you can't leave yet. There is a very important potential client you have to meet. So, get back here. And also, don't bother telling him to wait for you. The meeting with this client is going to be a long one." The line went dead. I groa
Last Updated : 2024-03-11Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Two
Valeria’s POV A low, muffled thud was followed by another and yet another. I rolled over in bed and blinked sleepily, listening. A minute later, I realized that the sound came not from my dreams but from outside my front door. Yawning widely, I slipped a robe over my nightie and shuffled to get the door. On my way I looked at the wall clock. It wasn't time for me to get up yet and start preparing for work, thankfully. But who was calling so early in the morning? I really needed some more sleep before it was time to face the day because who knew what difficult tasks Dimitri was planning to saddle me with today? I threw the door open just as Ivy was preparing to knock again. "Oh. Hi, Ivy," I murmured, stifling another yawn. I had told her last night of how weird I had felt at the meeting and she had promised to check up on me, but I hadn't expected her to be here so early. I felt a twinge of guilt. Her being here meant that she had been worried sick. "I've been knocking for ages.
Last Updated : 2024-03-12Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Three
Valeria’s POV Dimitri was already there, seated, sipping a glass of wine. His eyes were on me as soon as I walked through the door. He kept looking me over and his appreciative stare, though I hated to admit it, did things to me. So I concentrated on looking at the spot over his shoulder, while I walked to him. "Good evening," I said stiffly as I took my seat. I was careful to make it known by my tone that this was the last place I would rather be. I fiddled with, and pored over the menu in front of me while I kept feeling him x-raying me with his eyes. I shifted uncomfortably. Had he invited me here to continuously stare at me all evening? I was opening my mouth to say something cutting when he said quietly, "Nice dress." I made a noncommittal sound in my throat. "Did you get all dressed up for me?" My head jerked up immediately and I favored him with a glare. "Why on earth would I do that?" He smiled, undaunted by the acidity in my tone. "I just think you look exceptionally
Last Updated : 2024-03-13Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Four
Valeria’s POV I lounged on the sofa, watching Ivy scurry around the house, packing up her stuff. She was due for her shift at the hospital in about an hour. She had practically lived at my house for three days now, because I had been ill for that long. But thanks to her careful nursing, I felt much better than I had in days. Infact, I was more like my old self although I was still somewhat weak. Ivy dropped her phone into her bag and shut it with a snap. Then she looked around the room once more. "I guess I've gotten all the important stuff," she said. "I hope you'll be okay without me for a few hours. I'll see you later." I swung my legs off the sofa. "Actually, I think I'll come with you to the hospital." Ivy brightened, suddenly looking hopeful. "I'm not coming in for an examination. I'm already better. I just want to see my grandma. I haven't seen her in ages." "But you need more rest. You shouldn't overexert yourself." "I'm fine," I assured her. "I know I say that almost all
Last Updated : 2024-03-14Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Five
Dimitri’s POV For what felt like the hundredth time in an hour, I dialed Valeria's number, hoping that this time it would be different and she would pick up the damn phone. I pressed the phone to my ear. It rang several times, yet no one picked up. I shoved my hands through my hair in frustration and pushed aside the documents I was supposed to be going through. There was no point in continuing anyway. I could not concentrate on work, not when I hadn't heard a word from Valeria for three whole days. She hadn't been to work for three days. After the first day, she had stopped receiving my calls. She was ill. I knew that, but was it the usual ailments pregnant women suffered, or was it something more serious? I had to know. I hesitated for only a moment before dialing Ivy's number. I had made her Reese's caregiver at the hospital without Valeria's knowledge. So far I got reports that she had been doing an excellent job with Valeria's grandmother. If it were possible, I would also hav
Last Updated : 2024-03-16
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Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-Six
VALERIAWith my hands on my hips, I took a step back to look at the decorations. After a few seconds or so, I had to admit that the decorators had done a pretty good job. I had as well. Jayden had his superhero theme decorations all in blue, his favourite colour. Jane had her favourite Princess whatsername theme also in bright yellow.I grinned, reflecting on how very different children's birthday parties were from those of adults. The entire living room area was a clash of yellow and blue, and then there were the balloons also, covering large sections of the floor."And what are you grinning about?"I felt myself relaxing at the sound of Dimitri's voice, leaning back against him until his arms went around me. He repeated his question."I was just thinking that the whole place looks like a rainbow exploded in it," I murmured."Mmm. I think I rather like the look of the place. It's an improvement if you ask me."I snorted. "Having kids have made you soft. There was a time when you woul
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-Five
VALERIAIt was bone-chilling to see Amelia's expression when she realized the game was over. It was like she had been wearing a mask which had suddenly come off. Now I could clearly see what lay beneath the facade she presented to the world. The sight made me shiver and I unconsciously shifted close to Dimitri who gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Amelia, teeth bared, kept looking around like a trapped animal searching for a means of escape."There's no way out now," Dimitri said, leaving the sofa to stand in front of her. "You can't escape so bury that thought.""Why?" I said, the question drawn from my lips before I even thought of it. Everyone turned to look at me but I had eyes only for Amelia, the woman who was my mother but had done things to hurt me more than anyone in this world. "Why do you hate me so much? Why... all this? How could you-""You know nothing!" she declared vehemently. "So don't you think you can sit there and judge me when you don't know half of what happ
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-Four
DIMITRII let my suggestions about Amelia's and Alexis' eventual capture sink in. When I was sure it did, and that Valeria was in agreement with all I had said, I stood up to leave. Valeria's hand on my arm prevented me from doing so."Wait," she said. "There is something more."I slowly sat back down. "Tell me.""I want to be part of the capture."My response was instant. "Oh no. You can't.""Why not?"Funny she would ask. Even the thought of putting Valeria, especially in her condition, through any form of danger was so abhorrent to me it made me shudder inwardly."Valeria," I said in the most reasonable tone of voice I could muster. "There may be danger when they are caught. I have no way of knowing, true. But I can't take the risk of you getting hurt. Silas, Vance and I with all the others I will bring in to help can handle them. Trust me. It will be best if you stay completely out of it."Then I groaned inwardly when I still saw that stubborn look on her face, the look I knew so
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-Three
VALERIAOne of Ivy's nurse friends from the hospital clapped her hand over her lips to keep in a giggle."Ssh!" said a friend of Vance who just had to be a bodyguard. His tall, muscled figure could be made for nothing else.The man was smiling himself."Sorry," the giggler apologized as she smiled up at him.I felt much like giggling myself, especially at the look I was already picturing on Ivy's face when she eventually realized Vance had brought a lot of his friends and her friends on their date."They are here," Dimitri whispered in my ear.Dimitri's words were whispered back and forth between everyone."Remember everyone. Don't make a sound when they come in," someone said.I looked straight ahead and saw Vance, lead Ivy by the hand into the private booth of the restaurant where we were all hiding."It's beautiful in here," Ivy said, looking around. "But it's rather dark, don't you think? Maybe a little more light will-"She made a move to touch the light switch. I stiffened, drew
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-Two
DIMITRISilas, who was to all appearances lounging on the verandah outside while making some calls, met my eyes. For the last few days, I had kept him in and around the house, ostensibly running a few errands for me, being extra security for Valeria, but really he was around to keep an eye on Amelia.We had all come to the conclusion that since she felt herself entirely free of suspicion, she would make a move to contact Alexis or to put her plans into action soon. I felt that she was about to do either or both of these things now.Just this morning, Amelia had been acting strangely. Although she had tried to hide it, Silas and I had noticed her acting ill at ease, although Valeria had of course remained oblivious. Amelia had started acting this way after Silas, as he told me, had overheard her yelling at someone over the phone.A few minutes later, with her handbag slung over her shoulder, she had said very casually, "I'm making a quick trip to the store to pick up some things we nee
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty-One
VALERIAAlthough it had seemed impossible at first, the endless hours after Grandma Reese passed became days. Days became weeks. The weeks eventually added up to a month, and then several months. Though I missed her terribly with each passing day, life went on. My pregnancy became advanced. The doctors told Dimitri and I to expect our child soon.That was the only happy thought that kept me going all through those months. That, and the fact that I had Dimitri at my side.The rest of the time, I was consumed by fear, fear that at least one archenemy was still out there. Dimitri had gently broken the news of Grace's death to me, but had confessed that he still had not found a trace of Alexis. I was terrified that he would one day make an appearance and attempt to harm my child and I. Whenever I voiced out my concerns, Dimitri was quick to assure me that he was still on the lookout for Alexis.And though I took a little comfort in his assurances, I never once forgot that Dimitri was not
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Forty
AMELIAThey were fools. The lot of them. Stupid, trusting fools, but their stupidity suited me just fine. It was how I had stayed hidden all this time, after all.It was a shame about Grace, but it had to be done. She had been becoming a wild card, a disappointment to me. This early in the plot, she had shown that her emotions overruled her thoughts, and anyone who thought with the heart rather than the head was a liability, was expendable. This was why I had taken Dimitri and Silas to the spot where she was to meet with me. Grace was dead now and a lot of the future complications I knew she would bring had died with her.I glanced at the locked door of my room and continued pacing.I had to get word across to Alexis. Just calling him on the phone wouldn't do. I had to see him face to face in order to assure him that our plan was still on, and that Grace's death changed nothing.The only problem now was Dimitri wouldn't want to let me, a supposedly grieving mother, out of his sight. T
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Thirty-Nine
DIMITRIThe place where Grace had chosen to meet with Amelia was very like the place where she had kept Valeria captive. It was on the grounds of a building, a deserted one by the looks of it. The building was in a scarcely frequented part of the city.Silas, Amelia and I got there a full hour before Amelia's appointment with Grace. We chose good hiding spots where we could see and not be seen. Then we settled down to wait for Grace to show up.Thirty minutes before the time of the appointment, we all clearly heard approaching footsteps. A woman came into view. She was wearing a scarf that obscured most of her face and huge sunglasses, but I knew it was Grace. My hands ached with the effort of keeping them still and not going for her right there and then. Grace gave a sweeping look around the area."Get down," I whispered to the persons with me.Though I was sure we couldn't be seen by her, we all went down and peered at her from between the thick foliage of overgrown shrubs we were h
Set me Free, Alpha Hundred and Thirty-Eight
DIMITRI"I can't remember."Amelia had said this more times than I could count in so many different ways, but it still boiled down to the same thing. She still clearly could not remember anything about what Valeria's grandmother had said about her and her past."Why can't I remember?" she said again, with tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes.She glanced over at Valeria. Whenever Amelia had declared that she didn't remember, Valeria, with her head resting on the sofa, nodded mechanically and simply kept staring at the blank wall before her.Seeing that Valeria was more or less unresponsive, Amelia turned to me. "What is wrong with me? Why can't I remember any of what happened?"I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring look, patted her hand. "It's okay. Don't worry. I promise you that I will do everything to find out how your memory was tampered with and if possible, you will get your memories back."Amelia nodded and then just sat there, crying and wringing her hands. I sat by
