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Twenty-Six
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Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Seven
VALERIAMost of my attention was focused on my driving as I negotiated the turn that would take me to my house. The other part of me was sifting through what I would have to do at work the next day. I sighed in anticipation of a warm bath I would take the moment I got in, as my house loomed into view. Not wanting to return to the car for my stuff, I tried to hold on to my computer, some documents and my handbag all at the same time while I walked towards the front door.And then I felt it. The back of my neck prickled. It was the kind of feeling a person had when they were being watched. But who was watching me? My eyes scanned my surroundings swiftly. I didn't see anything out of place. All was as it should be. I sighed again, this time in annoyance. Ever since my encounter with Jack, I had become so jumpy.I kept telling myself that there was nothing for me to worry about. For two weeks now, I hadn't heard a word from Jack. I had not gone to visit him when I had planned to, partly m
Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Eight
VALERIAI opened my eyes and quickly sat up in bed, my heart pounding with a nameless dread. The memory of the dream I had just had slipped through my mind like water through cracks. All I could remember was that the dream was frightening, scary. It had felt like I was trapped and that there was a something hanging over my head. I blinked and the memory of all that had happened yesterday came rushing back. I pressed my hand to my chest and felt it going like a triphammer. I groaned. It seemed like there would be no peace for me in my sleeping and waking moments until I had gotten rid of Jack.I tried my best not to think about his threats as I swung my legs out of bed and began to prepare for work. I put on some music on my sound system, cranked the volume all the way up, hoping that somehow it would drown out my chaotic thoughts. The move worked to an extent and so in my car, I also turned on the radio, tuned into a music station. I hummed along with the singers and kept telling mys
Set me Free, Alpha Twenty-Nine
DIMITRII thought of Valeria as I took the elevator to the top floor. Though she hid it well, or tried to, it was obvious that Valeria was not okay. She was much more absentminded than before. She perpetually looked haunted, as though she knew something that was eating up her up from the inside out. She wasn't ill anymore. Of that I was quite sure. The strain she was labouring under seemed to be of the emotional kind.I asked myself what news, or what new occurrence was capable of making her so sad and worried. The only thing I could think of was her health. Maybe she had finally gone for that checkup Ivy and I had been badgering her about. Maybe the doctors had found out that there was something seriously wrong with her. Maybe there was something even wrong with the baby. I had to ask her about it, or get my hands on the tests results somehow. But first, I would ask her. She wouldn't want to open up, but I would be very persuasive..."Sir. Good morning," Sasha chirped.She had sudden
Set me Free, Alpha Thirty
DIMITRII caught on to the tension from Silas the moment I picked up the phone."Talk to me," I said."I just saw Jack."I sat up straighter. All my senses were on red alert now."A few minutes ago, I saw Valeria with him. She handed him a bag full of cash. Then she left." He paused. "She's finally paid him off."My fists clenched. I thought so too."Do you still have eyes on him?""Of course, I do! I just called to ask what move I'm to make.""Don't loose sight of him. Follow him. I'll be with you as soon as I can."I hurried out of the office. Before I got into my car, Silas had texted me his location which was in a rundown building that had once been a bar. I spotted Silas lurking out of sight. He silently walked up to me. At a signal from him, we approached the door of the building and Silas suddenly kicked it open. Jack and two other men were grouped around a dirty little table. Their eyes shone with greed at the sight of the money was counting on the table."Do you always have t
Set me Free, Alpha Thirty-One
VALERIAThe feeling of relief when I headed to the office the next day after giving Jack the money was indescribable. If I had known I would feel this relieved, I would have gotten him the money earlier. I patted my still flat stomach when I got into my car."The bad man's out of our lives, baby," I said to the tiny blip I could picture growing in my womb. Smiling, I turned on some music and sang all the way to the office. I felt as free as a bird. Automatically, as I had been doing for the past few days, I kept glancing in the rearview mirror as I drove. There was no Jack following me on his motorcycle anymore."You're looking radiant this afternoon, Val," remarked Ellen, the receptionist. "What's up?"I merely smiled and twiddled my fingers in her direction as I went upstairs. I had barely settled down when Summer arrived. She gave me a venomous look as she passed by on her way to Dimitri's office but even the knowledge that she was there, and that she and Dimitri's could get down
Set me Free, Alpha Thirty-Two
VALERIAMy head ached, but when I shifted slightly in bed, I realized that my entire body ached as well. I felt like I had run over by a steamroller and put back together again. With a groan, I opened my eyes. I squinted at the little sunlight filtering through my open window. I shut my eyes again because they hurt too. It felt like they had been taken out of my head, hit with a blunt hammer and then shoved back into my skull again. My clock chimed the top of the hour. If I didn't get a move on, I would be late for work. I had never felt less like moving, but I didn't want to stay cooped up in the house all day.With a little struggle, I got out of bed and began preparing for work. I was very careful not to make any sudden movements, so as not to increase the aches and pains ravaging my body. To my relief, by the time I had gotten dressed, the pain had subsided to the extent that I could function. Just before I left the house, Ellen called. I was only just about ten minutes late so sh
Set me Free, Alpha Thirty-Three
DIMITRIMy ears perked up when Summer's father said something his company. Having closed a huge business deal, he was in a talkative mood today. I knew I should put in a little more effort to closely listen to what he was saying. After all, the clue I had been looking for all these years could be contained in a single sentence, but it was a chore concentrating on anything else when my thoughts were so full of Valeria. I could not get her pale, worn face out of my mind. Was it usual for pregnant women to get as sick as this all the time? I wish I knew. Several times, I had picked up my phone to call her. I stopped each time because she had told me she was going home to sleep. Judging by the bags under her eyes, I didn't doubt she needed a lot of rest, but how long should she get to sleep? Two hours? Three? Four? It felt like ages since I had let her out of my car. I was getting more uneasy by the minute."More wine, honey?" Summer said from beside me, bringing out of my musing."Yes, p
Set me Free, Alpha Thirty-Four
VALERIAThe tears came coursing down my cheeks hard and fast and there was nothing I could do about them. It was like the dam holding my emotions at bay had burst open. Dimly, I was aware of Dimitri offering broken words of comfort."...Not your fault. Don't you ever think that. You and the baby will be fine, I promise..."Eventually, the sound of my sobs drowned out his words. I wanted to be strong for my baby, like the doctor had advised. I really wanted to be, but right now, every horrible thing I had read or heard about complications in pregnancy flooded my mind. Dimitri and the doctor had promised excellent health care, but then anything could still happen.Dimitri cupped my face and forced my head up to meet his gaze. Without taking his eyes off me, he reached into his pocket, brought out a handkerchief which he used to wipe my streaming eyes."Now listen to me," he said when he had gotten my attention, or as much of it as I was able to give him. "Listen to me, Valeria. What the
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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
