chapter 006

Valerie POV

Tears slipped from my eyes as I hurriedly wiped them away with the back of my palm. My chest felt tight as I took a deep breath, drawing in the fresh breeze brushing against my skin, trying to steady myself. Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through my abdomen. My vision blurred, my knees weakened, and I nearly lost my balance. I fought to stay upright but then a strong arm wrapped firmly around my waist.

I turned, and the moment our eyes met, I froze. My heart stuttered. The closeness was suffocating, painfully awkward. Panic flared inside me, and I quickly pulled away from him.

“Are you alright?” Alpha Xavier asked. His voice was low, laced with concern I hadn’t expected. I could feel his worry pressing down on me, but I shook my head anyway. A weak, fragile smile forced itself onto my lips.

“I’m fine. I guess maybe it’s because I stayed too long in the wooden box,” I muttered, my voice barely steady. My gaze flickered toward the box before snapping back to him, as if it still held me captive.

He nodded but said nothing. His eyes stayed on me, intense and unreadable. The silence stretched, heavy and unbearable, and discomfort crawled under my skin. I turned away, ready to leave. I was certain this path would lead me to the Storm Crestwood pack. There, I would find refuge in the home of the friend I had grown up with. I knew she wouldn’t turn her back on me—not the way my parents had.

Just as I took a step forward, Alpha Xavier called out to me. His voice stopped me cold, rooting me in place. Slowly, I turned back to face him.

“Perhaps you might need somewhere to stay for the time being. My doors are open to you. You could stay in the mansion, and when you recover, you can find your way,” he muttered as he stepped closer.

My breath caught. I felt it again an invisible pull, like an electric force tugging at my soul, drawing me toward him against my will. My heart betrayed me, pounding harder, faster. But I clenched my fists, grounding myself in pain and memory. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again. I refused to believe he was any different from Alpha Sebastian.

I quickly took a few steps backward, then shook my head in disapproval. “No, I don’t think there is any need for that. Thank you so much for saving me, Alpha Xavier. I’m indebted to you. I promise someday I will pay you back,” I whispered, bowing my head toward the ground as my fingers toyed with the frayed edge of my torn dress. I refused to meet his eyes. Whatever this feeling was, I didn’t want it taking root inside me.

A soft chuckle slipped from his lips as he moved closer, erasing the distance between us. He leaned in, his breath brushing my ear as he whispered, “You promised to do whatever I want.” His words shattered what little happiness I had left. At that moment, I knew he was no different from Alpha Sebastian.

“So what are you going to do to me now?” I snapped, my voice trembling with fury and fear. “Hold me hostage? Kill me? Or torture me?”

“No, Valerie, I won’t do that to you. All I’m asking is for you to stay at my place for a while so I can tend to your wounds,” he said, his gaze drifting to the injuries on my legs before returning to my face. The smile on his lips slowly widened. There was something in his eyes something dark and unsettling that made my skin crawl.

“Thank you so much for the offer, but I’d like to decline. The thing is…” I paused, pointing toward the small town down the hill. “A friend of mine is staying there, so I’m going to her place to seek refuge. I believe I’ll be well taken care of there,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. Deep down, I hoped he would understand and let me go. By now, Helen and Alpha Sebastian must have sent out search parties. Maybe they had already realized I was long gone.

“I see,” he muttered, his gaze fixed on the small town below. Then he turned back to me, a faint smile returning to his lips. “Very well, then. I hope you find the peace you’re looking for over there,” he said.

I nodded and turned away. This time, I didn’t stop or look back. Dragging my injured leg, I forced myself forward, heading toward the Crestwood pack. I ignored the pain tearing through my stomach. I had to get there. I had to be safe. I was certain that once I crossed the boundary, Alpha Sebastian wouldn’t be able to find me.

I tried to move faster, but the pain in my legs and abdomen slowed me down. Still, I pushed through it. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, then continued again, sweat dripping down my forehead. My body gave in, and I stumbled forward, quickly grabbing onto a tree for support. Tears burned in my eyes, threatening to fall, but I refused to let them. I was almost home so close to the place I still called home.

But then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed a figure walking closely behind me. Panic surged through my veins. What if Alpha Sebastian had found me? What if it was a rogue werewolf? My body began to tremble as fear took over. I tried to hide, though I knew I could be seen so easily.

Suddenly, something sharp on the ground caught my attention. I bent down slowly, and a sharp pain ripped through my abdomen and leg, forcing a low groan from my lips. With trembling hands, I picked up the object and clenched it tightly. I moved carefully, each step slow and deliberate, waiting for the figure to come closer as my heart pounded violently against my chest.

I could hear the footsteps closing in. I knew this was my only chance. Spinning around, I charged forward and hurled the sharp object at the figure—but it dodged the attack effortlessly.

“Nice move, Valerie.”

I froze. The voice was familiar. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to see who I had almost killed. My breath caught in my throat as shock washed over me.

“Alpha Xavier!”