SEVEN

VALERIE

"We are going," he grits in command.

"But we aren't - " I protest but I am cut off.

"It's okay, princess. Just call me when you need," he says, smiles, then hands me Valerian.

I look to Evan whose lips are pursed in a thin line. I look around to see people are baring their necks to him in submission. His anger is seeping through his aura and it is making people nervous. I sigh.

"Let's go, Valerian." I say and Valerian jumps on his feet and hides behind me. 

"Valerian, come with me." Evan tries to talk to him, and I don't know if he realizes that he just growled at our son. 

"It's fine. I'll take him." I say as Valerian wraps his arms around my waist. He is scared.

Evan looks at Valerian and I feel his hurt and disappointment through the forged bond. He turns around almost as if he forced himself to turn away, and headed for the black SUV parked outside the diner. I feel Valerian waving his hand as I carried him, and I looked back to see Zayne waving back at him with a smile. His smile falls when he looks at me. I forced a smile but he frowned, looking upset. 

I sighed and got in the SUV with Valerian after Evan. I try to set Valerian down to sit between us but he only hugged my neck tighter.

"Valerian, sit here." Evan barks, making me turn to him wide-eyed.

"He's not a dog." I almost growl, but manage to hold myself back though I know he could feel my slight irritation through the bond.

Evan looks at me. I don't know what's going on in his head, but I could feel a little panic through the bond. 

"Why did you come?" You never spend lunch with us, or actually spend time with us. I thought to myself.

His lips pursed into a thin line. I could tell he wanted to say something but it's as if he backed out as he straightened in his seat and loosened his tie.

"I received an email saying the mating ball has been moved earlier than scheduled. The packs will be arriving tonight," he says his brows scrunched in frustration.

He looks at me coldly and with an indifference I have seen countless times. I am not surprised.

"You are in charge of the preparations. I need everything ready by tonight or our pack will be turned to a laughingstock," he says gruffly as he looks out the window. His eyes turned hard and I noticed something else is bothering him.

"Is there something else?" I asked, knowing something big must be happening for him to be acting so. His tail is tucked and he looks like he is agitated over something.

His eyes snap to me and surprise flashes over them. But it is quickly covered up with his mask.

He cleared his throat and nodded.

"There is." He said and I nod, waiting for him to continue. Once he seemed to regain composure he spoke.

"The Fire Breather Pack's Alpha is attending tonight." He said and I gasped.

"The Fire Breather Pack?" I repeat his words like a parrot. No wonder he is so distressed.

The Fire Breather Pack is our largest archnemesis. Well, his and his father's and all the alphas before him. Our packs have the longest history of war over the past two centuries. It has been until today and certainly still is now. 

I have no idea how it started but it seems they have no problem entering our pack lands. 

I watch him nod and he takes in a deep breath.

"Once I meet Alpha Henrick I will try to strike a deal. Everything must be in order," he says. I nod consequently, knowing the situation just got serious.

"I will make all the preparations. Don't worry. Everything will be fine," I say softly.

I know it would be easy since I have pre-arranged everything three days earlier. I do this with every event. Of course, he would know if he actually helped in the preparations. I have done it more times than I could count. In addition to the yearly mating ball, I prepare every other event within the pack and the mating ball is quite an easy feat. However, what would make it difficult is that I have other preparations I need to handle within the next few days. I won't be getting much sleep or any sleep at all.

"See to it," he says curtly. I look over at him to see he is looking out the window.

I sigh inwardly just as I feel Valerian's head drop on my shoulder. I look down and see that his eyes are closed and he is breathing steadily. He has fallen asleep.

I adjust him so he is laying comfortably in my arms when I feel a pair of eyes on me.

"And one more thing." Evan blurts, making me snap my eyes to him in question. He is looking at me with an expression I couldn't make out. 

"Yes?" 

"I don't want to see you dining with Zayne from now on." he states like it is an order, but I just stare blankly at him.

"Why not?" I ask, trying to understand the reasoning behind it.

"Because I would be joining you for lunch from now on," he says just as the car pulled up in front of our house.

He gets out while I sit there, trying to process what just happened. My heart starts pounding relentlessly, but I shake myself.

I move to open the door but it opens before I could grab the handle. Evan standing by the door and holding out his hand.

"Let me take him." he says. I look up at his eyes and they are looking right down at me. I gulp and scoot closer to the door to hand him Valerian. With little effort, he carries him in his arms and heads inside our house.

'Did you hear that, Liana?' I ask my wolf, who had been silent for some reason.

'He said he'll start having lunch with us.' I inform her, although I have a feeling she already knows given how silent she has been.

She scoffs. 'Don't keep your hopes up. I don't want you getting hurt over nothing.' she warns me and lets out a huff.

I bit my lip at her words and nodded. 

'Maybe, just maybe. He is starting to warm up to us, don't you think?'

Liana huffs and returns to the her dark corner while I smile, feeling hope for the first time as I walk behind him into the house.