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Sixty-Nine
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Set me Free, Alpha Seventy
VALERIAShe didn't look too good. Was it a trick of the light or my imagination? I gently ran my fingers across her cheek. She stirred, opened her eyes. I watched the awareness come into her eyes slowly, too slowly. It seemed her reflexes too weren't as good as they had been the last time I saw her."Hi honey. You're here. You should have woken me up immediately. How long have you been sitting there?"Worry knotted my insides at the sound of her hoarse voice. She looked so weak, so frail. What had gone wrong now?"You're not well, gran," I said.She smiled and struggled to sit up. I reached for her, wanting to give her my support. With a smile, she waved me off and sat up herself."I'm fine, dear. I'm fine. I'm just a bit under the weather today. It's nothing serious." She looked at something over my shoulder. "Isn't that right, doctor?""What did I miss?" said the doctor cheerfully.He came further into the room and started examining her."I commented on how pale she was looking," I
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-One
VALERIAMaybe he was used to giving and receiving the cold shoulder for days on end, but I was not. I felt it was high time we trashed it out the reason for his recent attitude once and for all.He was in his usual haunt, his study. He was scowling at the screen of computer as though it had done him a personal injury. His scowl deepened when I stepped into the room. He looked as though he would have liked nothing better than to order me out the way he had order me out of his bedroom the last time. I refused to be intimidated by his stare. I marched up to his desk, drew up a chair and sat to show him I meant business."What's your problem with me?" I asked.Before seeking him out, I had decided that going straight to the point was the best form of approach."I don't understand what you're talking about. I don't have a problem with you or anyone else," he said.I slapped down the files he was trying to flip open. I kept my hands there, splayed on them. There was no way I was going to le
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Two
DIMITRII shuffled from one foot to another, moved my neck from side to side to ease the tension there while keeping my eyes on the target. My fists were clenched so tight that I could feel my fingernails digging into the flesh of my palms. It was painful, but I didn't mind. I even clenched my fists tighter. The pain helped me focus."Come on, Dimitri. Are you going to stand there all day?"His words prompted me to action. I lunged and aimed a punch at his head. He ducked just in time and my fists encountered only air. I swore under my breath. He shook his head, skipped a few steps backwards and began circling me really slowly. "Your focus is off today," Silas said.He tightened the straps on his boxing gloves. I felt my eyes narrow."Why don't you come just a little closer so we can see how off my focus is," I growled.Silas laughed and took another step backwards when I came closer."No thanks," he said. "I don't think I'm such a fool to do that. I don't want to get my head knocke
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Three
VALERIAIt was happening again. I felt my heartbeat speed up. We had just got out of the car and there they were, seemingly coming out of nowhere, like a flock of vultures. I supposed it was irrational of me but I always thought of them that way. I pressed close to Noah, dug my fingers into his arm as we began to walk briskly towards the restaurant. The place was so close, yet felt so far away. I felt them closing in. I couldn't wait to get into the sanctuary of the restaurant so I could breathe again.As always, Noah seemed unaffected by it all. He walked confidentiality, nodding and smiling to the reporters whose eyes he met. As they shoved their cameras and microphones at us, asking, always asking if we were dating, what plans we had for our relationship. Noah kept saying cheerfully 'No comment. No comments. I'm sorry, but I have no comments."The restaurant's doorman bowed us in and thankfully, the doors closed, shutting out all the questioning voices and the flashing lights. The
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Four
DIMITRI"Alright. I think that about does it for today," Rosy said.As the others began to pack up their things, I left the meeting room. Outside it, the air felt more breathable. Maybe this was because breathing the same air as Noah had been steadily driving me nuts. It was a wonder I had been able to successfully sit through a meeting with him there. After a minute, I rolled back my sleeves to check my watch. What were they still doing in there? Maybe Valeria and Noah had used the opportunity to begin one of their discussions. I supposed I could go back in there to order her back into her office. Here at least, I could minimize her contact with Noah. Just as I had that thought, the door to the meeting opened again and stayed open as Rosy and her team hurried past. Noah and Valeria walked out. I moved out of their path."... very good presentation, Val," Noah was saying.He was finally walking out with Valeria at a much slower pace than Rosy and her team."Oh. Thank you. But was it r
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Five
VALERIAI felt my heart literally stop for a moment or two before it started up again. My one thought was that I was being attacked. The person who had poisoned me was back to finish the job. The weight of the person on top of me pressed me against the mattress. Knowing I would probably get only one chance to do this, I sucked in screamed as loudly as I could. The weight on me lifted, and the next moment I was lying on my back, staring into Dimitri's eyes. I stopped shrieking at once. I tried to gather my wits."Hey. It's just me. Are you okay?" he asked after I had remained mute for about a minute.I shook my head, tried to catch my breath. Dimitri helped me sit up. I slapped his hand away. I pressed a hand to my chest."What did you think you were doing?" I puffed. "Why did you sneak up on me like that?"A ghost of a smile appeared on Dimitri's lips. "I wasn't trying to sneak up on you. I've been here so I could talk to you. It's not my fault that you were so preoccupied that didn't
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Six
VALERIA"I really don't want to go anywhere, Dimitri. Besides, we have both been up and about this week, going to work and all, so that means I've had my own fair share of going out."Dimitri shook his head. He was wearing that expression that showed when he was fixated on a particular idea. His eyes glinted in that way that said he would have his way in this too."Go out with me," he insisted. He walked across the room and came to a stop at my bed. "We can go anywhere you want. What do say to lunch later at a restaurant I just discovered? If you don't want to do lunch, we could go somewhere you like. You must be bored seating in the house all day. Isn't that what you tell me all the time? How come you're refusing to go out now?"A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I suspected exactly what was going on. I was willing to bet that Dimitri really didn't just want to go out for the fun of it. For instance, I could tell from the way he was currently looking at me like I was the on
Set me Free, Alpha Seventy-Seven
DIMITRII grunted a reply to one of the pack's leaders who greeted me. I didn't even know who it was. I scarcely even looked at him. Behind me, I heard the car door slam shut. Then there were running footsteps as Silas hurried after me."They are all ready for the meeting, Alpha," said the man who had greeted me. I looked closely and saw it was Ace."Where?" I said."In the meeting room. The same one as last time."I grunted, increased my strides. Ace and Silas had to try to keep up with my lengthy strides. As I walked, my eyes swept the area, noting whether the improvements I had suggested earlier had been done. The moment I pushed open the door to the meeting room, the murmured conversation among those gathered stopped. They turned in my direction. Even when they stood to pay their respects, I could clearly see the worry etched on every face, even on Silas's as he took his seat."Sit down, everyone and let's get down to business." I waited for them to settle down before continuing.
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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
