SIX

VALERIE

After the meeting, I was pulled aside and when I looked to see who it was, Evan is shooting daggers to my face.

His face is cold and expressionless as ever, but the mask is slipping. I could tell by the way his eye twitches and lips curling downward in a frown.

"What is it?" I ask, looking at him blankly.

"You made alliances with Felix?" He barks, making me raise an eyebrow at the fact he didn't acknowledge his title.

"Yes. They needed help." I say and his frown deepens.

"When did this happen?" 

I stare at him and realized he had no idea of the attack to our neighboring pack. 

"When you were out for lunch with the other alphas, I was the only one available." I say, already used to the fact he never has lunch with me or Valerian. If he did, then he would know about all the other alphas who came to me for help.

"Why didn't you contact me?" he growls lowly and I just stare at him.

"You blocked me. I couldn't get through the link, so I called Zayne instead." I tell him, watching his face contort to a look of guilt but that is quickly covered up by his favorite mask. Indifferent.

"Don't make rash decisions next time." he grunts and takes off his hand around my waist abruptly like he hadn't realized he placed it there.

I watch him turn around when he stops and looks over his shoulder at me.

"By the way, as for the new housing for omegas and hospital in the south, see to it that you handle the preparations necessary in two days, and not more. The mating ball is in three, so I expect everything to be ready. Don't come crying to me because you can't handle it alone." he says and walks away.

Liana growls and I shush her.

'Stop it.' I reprimand.

'Preparations will take days, even weeks to finish. How does he expect us to do it in 2 days?!' she exclaims, outraged he would let us do it alone.

'I guess it can't be helped.' I mutter out loud as I stare after him. Often do I find myself in this position, staring longingly at him and expecting him to just look at me. He married me and made me his luna, yet why does it feel like I'm all alone?

I sigh and push the heavy thoughts aside. Even though my proud wolf refuses to admit it, she has always had a soft heart for Evan. He is a good man and a good alpha, but falls short on being a good husband and a mate.

'Well, what do you expect? It's all a just a stupid contract.' Liana huffs and retreats angrily.

I sigh and feel the weight pulling heavier in my heart. I have to keep going. He will see, I just know it.

Before I let the depression crawl its way back in, I pull myself together and think.

If Evan won't help me, I know someone who can.

With that in mind, I tug on his link.

"Zayne, I need help. Please," I link, disregarding the luna tone. Of all people, he is the only one I can truly be myself. Not as the luna, but just me.

"Well princess, you are right on time. I just wrapped up the training session. What do you say we grab some lunch?" he asks, and I stop thinking about Valerian.

"Can I bring Valerian?" I ask.

"Of course princess. I will meet you at Derry's." he replies and I smile.

"Okay." I say and he cuts off the link.

The waitresses greet and bow their heads to me as I walk in, Valerian in tow. He is all cleaned up and happily tugging along now that we get to eat at some place other than the long table of our dining room. Normally it is just the two of us, and it is always gloomy in that house.

"Princess!" I hear Zayne's deep voice call out to me and I whirl to see him seated at the corner table. I smile and we make our way over.

"Uncle Zayne!" Valerian squeals and pushes past me to Zayne. He quickly stands up and catches him with an 'oomph'.

"There is my little warrior!" Zayne gushes and squeezes him. I smile and sit across them, watching Valerian in Zayne's huge arms is a change. Come to think of it, I have never seen him in Evan's arms. I thought, sadly, but shove it back down as a woman walks to out table.

"Good afternoon Luna, Beta, what can I get for you all today?" the waitress asks and smiles politely at us. I smile and look to Zayne who already knows what I like.

"1 big beef burger with tomatoes and onions and a large fries on the side for the lady. I want two big beef burgers and a kiddie meal for Valerian." he orders while the waitress jots it down and smiles as she leaves.

I turn to Zayne, looking at me with an expression I can't quite place.

"What?" 

"I've missed you, princess." Zayne says making a blush creep up my neck.

"Would you please stop calling me that," I pout.

"What? Just cause you're all grown up doesn't mean I can't call you my little princess," he says and winks at me. I huff moving my gaze to Valerian playing with his toy train and making train sounds as he rolls it on the table.

"I remember when Vander fought me on that nickname. He wanted to call you princess, but I called dibs and he had to come up with a nickname himself," he laughs and I chuckle. I do remember that. Father couldn't get over it for days until he came up with a new one.

"But I immediately regretted it when he called you his little duckling," he huffs and pouts, making me laugh. 

"Both of you are crazy for fighting over nicknames," I say and see his eyes sparkle as if he is recalling all the times he fought with Vander over the most trivial things.

"He was. I always win." he smirks and I roll my eyes.

"And I always hated the nickname, but now," I pause looking at Zayne. "I would give anything if I could hear him call me that again." I say, immediately regretting it when I see the look on Zayne's face as Valerian babbles about his toy unaware of the mood. I mentally do a face-palm. Thankfully, the food arrived and we were saved.

"Well dig in," Zayne says cheerfully making me smile. We all start scarfing down our food and my mouth waters at the taste. I haven't had any this good. Is it because we are eating with company? I'm not sure.

"So when is he calling you mommy and not your first name?" Zayne suddenly asks and I cough.

Valerian blinks.

"Evan thinks it is appropriate." I whisper.

Zayne growls but continues eating.

"You know, back in our day, that would be considered disrespectful." he says and turns to Valerian.

"You know it's okay to call her mommy. You want to, don't you?" he asks. My heart constricts. I would really like him to call me that. If only Evan would allow it, I think just as I feel my wolf's anger and her irritation flare up considerably.

Valerian shakes his head and turns back to eating. I sigh and feel my sadness settle.

After that we ordered dessert. It was good to catch up, and while we were laughing teasing each other like we normally do as well as Valerian, the diner suddenly falls silent. For some reason my heart starts to pound like heavy drums and soon I realize why.

"Alpha!" a woman shrieks.

My eyes shoot to a pair of icy blue ones and my body goes rigid.

Evan is standing at the door throwing daggers at me, and his dark, icy gaze moves to Zayne. Anger flashes in his eyes as he practically marches over to me. A scowl forms on his face.