LOGINShare
Chapter 20: Fractured Truths
Last Updated:
2025-01-08 22:19:38
Related chapters
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 21: The Storm Within
Mia's POVThe faint sound of footsteps reached my ears long before the door opened. I pressed myself against the wall, my heart pounding as I prepared to confront whoever walked through.When the door creaked open, it wasn’t Dylan or Scarlet. It was a man I didn’t recognize—tall, lean, with sharp features and an air of confidence that set my nerves on edge.“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt.He stepped into the room, his movements deliberate. His dark eyes swept over me, assessing, calculating.“Name’s Liam,” he said casually, as if we were meeting over coffee instead of in a grim, locked room. “I’m here to help.”I snorted, crossing my arms. “Help? That’s rich. Let me guess—Dylan sent you to play good cop?”Liam chuckled, the sound low and surprisingly genuine. “Dylan doesn’t know I’m here, sweetheart. And trust me, he wouldn’t approve.”“Why should I believe you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “You don’t have
Last Updated : 2025-01-08The Valisteen Princess Chapter 22. The Breaking Point
Mia's POV Mia stood in the dimly lit corner of the room, clutching the tiny vial of sedative Liam had risked everything to procure. Her heart hammered against her ribcage as she replayed their hastily devised plan in her mind. Every second in the compound was a second too long, and tonight, she would either reclaim her freedom or lose everything trying.Liam appeared at the door, his expression taut with tension. “It’s time,” he whispered. His voice, barely audible, was laced with urgency. He handed her a small syringe. “Are you sure you can do this?”Mia’s fingers trembled as she took the syringe, but her resolve was unshaken. “I have to.”Together, they crept down the corridor, the dim lights casting long shadows on the cold concrete walls. Every step brought them closer to Dylan’s quarters, and every step tightened the knot in Mia’s stomach. Dylan, the man who had held her captive, wouldn’t let her go without a fight. But she wasn’t alone anymore. Liam’s presence, his silent deter
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The Valisteen Princess Chapter 23. A Dangerous Alliance
As the night deepened, they took turns keeping watch, their ears straining for any sign of pursuit. The silence of the forest was both a comfort and a warning. Mia sat by the window, clutching a piece of wood she had fashioned into a crude weapon. Her mind wandered to the future—to what freedom might look like.But for now, survival was enough.The first rays of dawn began to filter through the cracks in the cabin walls. Liam stirred on the floor, wincing as he adjusted his position. Mia glanced over, her gaze softening. He’d risked everything to help her escape, and now he was paying the price. She needed to find help—and soon.Steeling herself, Mia decided to venture into the forest to search for supplies. She promised Liam she’d be back soon, leaving him a makeshift weapon in case someone found the cabin. The forest was eerily quiet as she moved, every crunch of leaves underfoot sending her heart racing.It wasn’t long before she heard voices in the distance. She froze, crouching l
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The Valisteen Princess Chapter 24: Building the Foundation
Chapter 24: Building the FoundationThe fight that followed was brutal, a chaotic clash of wills and determination. Mia’s world narrowed to the sounds of shouts, the clang of metal, and the sharp pain of every hit she took. But through it all, she fought with everything she had, her friends at her side.For the first time in years, she felt truly alive. And she wasn’t going to let Dylan take that away.The aftermath of the battle was a haze of adrenaline and exhaustion. Dylan lay unconscious on the cold floor, his reign over. Mia, Mimi, and Lydia stood together, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The room was eerily quiet now, the weight of their victory settling over them.“We did it,” Mimi said, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and disbelief.Lydia nodded, her expression grim. “But this is just the beginning. Taking him down was the easy part. Now we have to figure out what comes next.”Mia glanced at her friends, their faces illuminated by the dim light filtering thr
Last Updated : 2025-01-10The Valisteen Princess Chapter 25. Shadows In The Dark
Chapter 25: Shadows in the DarkLydia raised her glass in a rare moment of levity. “To the future. Whatever it holds.”Mia clinked her glass against theirs, a small smile playing at her lips. For the first time, the path ahead felt like their own—uncertain, yes, but full of possibility.Miles away, in a darkened room that pulsed with tension, Dylan Griffin stood before his inner circle. The news of Mia’s escape had spread like wildfire, igniting whispers of both awe and unease. Dylan’s sharp green eyes scanned the room, silencing the murmurs with a single glance.“She’s alive,” he said, his voice cold and measured. “And she’s out there building something. Something that could challenge us.”Forrest Vagaz, leaning casually against the far wall, tilted his head, a sly smile curling his lips. “You almost sound impressed, boss.”Dylan’s gaze snapped to Forrest, his expression hardening. “Don’t mistake admiration for weakness,” he warned. “Mia Valisteen is a threat, and threats must be dea
Last Updated : 2025-01-12The Valisteen Princess Chapter 26. A Fragile Trust
Chapter 26: A Fragile TrustThe stage was set for betrayal upon betrayal, with Mia, Dylan, and the Vagaz twins navigating a labyrinth of deception. As Mia looked out over her expanding territory, she tightened her resolve. Dylan might have been The Devil once, but now? She was ready to claim the title for herself.Billy Vagaz was true to his word. Days after their tense meeting at the docks, he reached out with critical information. Dylan had set a trap, luring Mia into an ambush at what was supposed to be a neutral negotiation with a minor rival gang. Billy’s warning came just in time, allowing Mia and her team to reroute their plans and avoid disaster.Mia paced the length of their headquarters, the tension palpable as she recounted the details of the near miss. “He knew exactly where we’d be,” she said, her tone sharp. “If Billy hadn’t tipped us off, we’d all be dead.”Lydia leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Maybe Billy’s trying to earn his keep. Or maybe he’s playing a longe
Last Updated : 2025-01-12The Valisteen Princess Chapter 27. The Kidnapping
Chapter 27: The KidnappingAcross town, Forrest was meeting with an unexpected visitor. Billy Vagaz lounged in a chair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. “You know,” Billy said, swirling the amber liquid, “I can’t tell if you’re brilliant or suicidal.”Forrest’s smile was razor-sharp. “Why not both?”Billy chuckled, but his eyes were cold. “Don’t push your luck, Forrest. Playing both sides is a dangerous game.”Forrest’s gaze darkened. “Dangerous games are the only ones worth playing.”The two men stared at each other, the air between them thick with tension. Whatever alliances they forged, Mia knew, would be as fragile as glass. And just as likely to shatter.Mimi was gone.Mia’s world tilted the moment she entered the safehouse and saw the signs of struggle. A broken chair, a trail of blood, and Mimi’s laptop—its screen cracked and lifeless. Lydia crouched near the remnants of a shattered vase, her jaw set as she examined the scene.“They took her,” Lydia said grimly. “This was delibe
Last Updated : 2025-01-12The Valisteen Princess Chapter 28: The Vagaz Betrayal
Chapter 28: The Vagaz BetrayalThe air in the headquarters was thick with tension. Mia sat at the head of the table, her team arrayed before her. Lydia’s sharp gaze darted between the map of Dylan’s operations and Billy, who leaned casually against the wall, his smirk firmly in place. Mimi, still bruised but resolute, worked at her laptop, her fingers flying over the keys as she decrypted yet another of Dylan’s communications.“We’ve cornered him,” Lydia said, her voice crisp. “This next move will cripple his supply chain. We hit here, here, and here.” She jabbed at the map with her finger. “He’ll have nothing left to fall back on.”“If we move too soon, we risk tipping our hand,” Billy interjected. “Dylan’s paranoid, but he’s not stupid. He’ll know something’s coming.”“And what do you suggest?” Lydia snapped, her patience wearing thin.Billy’s grin widened. “Let me handle it. I know how Dylan thinks.”Mia’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve let you handle plenty. I need results, Billy, not more
Last Updated : 2025-01-13
Latest chapter
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 49. Unspoken emotions.
Chapter 49. Unspoken emotions.I don’t know how long I wandered, only that by the time I stumbled upon the massive estate, my legs ached, and exhaustion had settled deep into my bones. The lights from the building glowed against the dark night, and the distant hum of music and laughter told me one thing—this wasn’t Dylan’s personal estate.I should’ve turned around right then and there.Instead, I stood at the edge of the tree line, watching. The place was alive with energy—people moving in and out, drinks in hand, voices carrying over the night air. It didn’t take long to realize what this was.A party.At midnight.Of course, it's Dylan's clan, he is the one to plan the party. I guess he was happy that I felt, he might not even be looking for me. What am I thinking? Why would he look for me? What for?I exhaled, tugging my cloak tighter around me. Dylan’s clan must’ve been celebrating something, though I had no idea what. Whatever it was, it made for a perfect distraction.And an o
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 48. Lost.
Chapter 48. Lost.Dylan’s expression didn’t change, but I caught the slight flicker in his eyes. He knew this was coming—probably had from the moment I started asking questions.He turned back toward the window, his voice even. “Then go.”I clenched my jaw. That was it? No argument, no demand, no cryptic warning? Just… go?I should’ve been relieved. Instead, something inside me twisted in frustration.“That’s all you have to say?” I asked, folding my arms.Dylan didn’t answer right away. His fingers curled against the window frame, his posture stiff. “You don’t belong here, Mia. You never did.”The words stung more than I wanted to admit. I scoffed, shaking my head. “Right. Because everyone around you is just temporary, right? What about the whole I have to figure out who is after you before you can leave. Where'd Dylan go? One mention about your childhood and you're all locked up and distant.” Still, he didn’t turn to face me.I hated this. The distance, the coldness.“Fine,” I mutt
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 47. Distance.
Chapter 47. Distance. Dylan didn't respond and kept reading. I rolled my eyes, stepping further in. “Had to get through Liam’s comedy routine first.”Dylan sighed, closing the book with a soft thud. “Of course, you did.”I crossed my arms, leaning against the nearest shelf. “So? What’s the big talk about?”He studied me for a moment before standing, his movements slow and deliberate. “Sit.”I arched a brow. “I’m good, thanks.”His eyes darkened slightly. “Mia.”Something about the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. Reluctantly, I dropped into one of the chairs across from him, my irritation barely masked.“You’ve been asking questions,” he said.I scoffed. “Yeah, that’s kind of what people do when they’re curious.”His jaw ticked, but he didn’t rise to the bait. “Sarah’s stories—about my past—they aren’t meant for entertainment.”I frowned. Nor is mine, but yet here we are” I said statistically. “I wasn’t looking for entertainment. I just wanted to know more about the
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 46. Brooding Menace
Chapter 46. Brooding MenaceI sighed, finally glancing up at him. He was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that unreadable expression.“You weren’t in your room,” he continued. “Care to explain why?”I raised a brow. “Didn’t realize I needed permission to step outside.”He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “You do when people are trying to kill you.”I rolled my eyes. “Relax, I didn’t leave the estate. I just wanted to see the garden. Where I met Sarah. She's nicer and sweeter than you, I don't really understand why she's here with someone like you.”Dylan didn't respond and turned to face Sarah who was leaning on the table with her hands, a smile on her lips and eyes darting for Dylan to me."You let her call you 'Sarah?' I thought Liam and I were the only ones who could call you that?" Dylan asked his voice cold and flat but had a hit of childishness in it.”Sarah chuckled, unfazed by Dylan’s cold tone. “She’s got a sharp tongue. Reminds me of someone
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 45. Little one.
Chapter 45. Little one. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, warming the room despite the cool air that lingered. I blinked against the brightness, momentarily disoriented. The bed was ridiculously comfortable—too comfortable. It had been a long time since I’d slept without interruption.Stretching, I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Late morning. I groaned, pushing myself up. I never slept in this late. The exhaustion from yesterday’s attack must have caught up with me.I ran a hand through my hair and stood, pacing toward the window. My gaze flicked to the landscape beyond the estate, where I caught sight of the garden I had noticed last night. It was tucked behind the main building, an expanse of green enclosed by high stone walls, with neatly arranged plants and a few benches scattered throughout. The place looked untouched, like something out of a different world compared to the fortress-like atmosphere of the estate.I wanted to see it.After freshening up and sli
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 44. Lock up.
Chapter 44. Lock up.I cleaned up quickly, wiping away the remnants of the fight before stepping back into the main room.Dylan was standing near the glass wall, his back to me, staring out at the night. He looked deep in thought, his posture tense despite the calm setting.“Feel better?” he asked without turning around.I hesitated. “A little.”He nodded once, then finally turned to face me.“We need to talk.”I swallowed hard. “About what?”His gaze darkened. “About why they were after you.”I scoffed, “What makes you so sure they weren't after you?" I asked, raising my head up and crossing my arms. Nodding his head, he opened his mouth to speak, "Sure, I do have a lot of enemies," Dylan admitted, his voice calm but firm. "But they knew you’d be here. They were waiting for you.”A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to let it show. “That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe they saw an opportunity and took it. And isn't this your woods?” I said, using both my hands to make a circle in t
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 43. Unexpected outcome.
Chapter 43. Unexpected outcome.My breath hitched.“Me?” I repeated, barely above a whisper. “Why?”Dylan didn’t slow down. If anything, his grip on my hand tightened, pulling me further into the thick shadows of the trees. His gaze flickered past me, scanning the darkness, his jaw locked tight.“I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But they knew you’d be here.”A chill ran down my spine.“They?” I pressed. “Who the hell is ‘they’?”Dylan exhaled sharply, his pace quickening. “Not here,” he muttered. “We need to—”A twig snapped.I froze.Dylan did too, his body tensing, muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. The sound had come from behind us, too close, too deliberate.We weren’t alone.Slowly, I reached for my knife, my fingers curling around the hilt. Dylan’s eyes met mine for a brief second—just enough time for me to see it.The shift.The cold, calculated edge slipping into place.He turned, stepping slightly in front of me, shielding me, his entire body wound tight like a l
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 42. Danger.
Chapter 42. Danger. I pulled the nozzle from the tank, letting the final drops of gas drip before securing the cap. The attendant’s words lingered in my mind, uncomfortably accurate. But I wasn’t about to spill my story to a stranger in the middle of nowhere.“Maybe I am,” I said, offering him a tight smile. “Maybe I just like long drives.”He chuckled, not pressing further. “Well, good luck, kid. Hope you find what you’re looking for.”I gave him a nod before climbing back into the car. As I pulled onto the road, his words echoed in my head.Hope you find what you’re looking for.If only I knew what that was.The next stop on my search was the place Dylan’s clan had been last time—where Mimi and I had visited before. It was the only lead I had, the only real connection to his past that I could follow.But when I got there, my stomach dropped.The place was abandoned.Not just empty, but long abandoned. The buildings, once full of life and activity, were now overtaken by nature. Weed
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 41. Little One
Chapter 41. Little OneThree months. Ninety-two days. Over two thousand hours. That’s how long it had been since Dylan left. Since he walked out of my life without so much as a backward glance, leaving me with more questions than answers.And now, I was losing my mind.The mornings were the worst. I’d wake up expecting to hear his low voice rumbling through the apartment, teasing me with that infuriating smirk of his. But the silence that greeted me was deafening. I hated how my first thought every day was of him—wondering where he was, if he was alive, if he even remembered I existed.I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV that played some forgettable movie. My legs were curled beneath me, my fingers gripping a mug of coffee that had long gone cold.“Idiot,” I muttered to myself, taking a sip anyway.Dylan’s face filled my mind again, unbidden. His caramel skin catching the faintest hint of light, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes that made you feel like you
