VALERIE “What have I done?" Those were the words I muttered to myself as I stared at the spot where Bianca once stood. A part of me nudged me to go after her, but the guilt dwelling in me didn't let me take a step in her direction. I staggered back and sighed loudly before trudging back into the manor. With a heavy heart, I sauntered into the kitchen and stumbled into Monica. I wasn't afraid of her as I used to be. A large smile formed on her face and she left her minions to meet me by the door. “What are you doing here of all places?" She asked, folding her hand as she watched me. “I got into trouble,” I muttered and she turned up her lips in amusement. "Again?” She teased, and I nodded, worry etched against my face. “Can you get me a plate of grapes, please? I do not remember where the fruit section is,” I asked. She patted my shoulder, grinning widely. “Stay right here; I will be right back with your order," she muttered and disappeared into a corner of the kitchen. Wit
VALERIE “She pitied me?" I whispered to myself as I leaped across the empty corridor. I was quite grateful that people weren't present in the corridor to feed their eyes on me. I could still hear the girls’ mocking laughter and excited whispers in my head as I staggered away. If someone had told me that Bianca would be among those who would turn their back on me, I would never have believed such lies. But with what was displayed some seconds ago, I realized that no one is to be trusted, not even yourself. She was no different from Margaret. No, she was worse than her. She had been a pretender all along, all she had done was pity me, putting on some deceitful smile on her face to warm up my lonely, deceived heart. “Valerie!” Monica's call behind me stopped my feet from shuffling forward. I stood like a zombie, my body bent forward in a sickly manner. “You… forgot the plate of grapes,” she muttered and moved over to stand before me, a sympathetic look on her face. I took the pl
VALERIE I felt heavily burdened with guilt rather than anger after discovering that it was done by Michelle and not the beta. “Yes, I did it. What are you going to do about that?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. I huffed, tears gathering in my eyes. I was scared of talking because I was sure that I would break into tears if I should say a single word. The sorrow didn't sink in because she humiliated me, it sank in after I realized that I had accused the beta wrongly and had ruined my friendship with Bianca myself. My throat was tearing up and I was afraid that the tears would drop out any moment. I turned around and walked out of the garden, not minding if she still needed my services. I blindly ran up to my room and slammed the door shut, slipping down to the floor as I buried my face in my palm, weeping bitterly. Perhaps, if I had waited a bit longer, I wouldn't have hurt the Beta and Bianca as well. “Oh my, what have you done, Valerie Garrett?" I mutte
VALERIE The surprise on my face slowly melted away, replaced by a smirk.Michelle huffed and rubbed her red cheeks which must be burning.“Hey, woman! Watch it!” She snapped, her eyes filled with rage.My mom scoffed and poked her forehead, earning a shocked gasp from her."What are you going to do about that, huh? You're going to hit me too, right?” Mom snapped, and she flinched back, muttering inaudible words under her breath.She glared at my mom fearfully, backing away as she began to approach her.“Stay away from me, you maniac. I am trying so hard to stop myself from hurting you!" She barked, waving her hand at my mom.I could tell from the fire burning in my mom's eyes that she was more than outraged. She looked like someone ready to kill at any moment.To be honest, I loved that version of my mother, and I loved the way she was putting Michelle in her place.She was taking revenge on my behalf without realizing it. Even though Bianca was the real culprit behind the bruises on
VALERIE I walked swiftly into the field, my heart skipping beats. “Beta!" I called out when I saw him. The beta turned around and looked at me, anger darting across his orbs. He narrowed his eyes and faced the confused trainees standing before him. “Let's kick off with some warm-ups!" He chanted, clapping his hands. The boys formed some lines and began to do some push-ups. “Beta, please can we talk?" I asked, glaring at the boys, who turned to look at me. “Let's go!" He shouted and began to walk around the lines, observing the boys and reprimanding those who seemed weak, threatening to kick them out. I clenched my fist, aware of how furious Michelle would be by now. Though I didn't care about her feelings, I didn't like the idea of standing in a training area filled with boys who wouldn't stop feeding their eyes on me. I bit my lips, watching him as I thought of ways to get this done quickly. “I am sorry, Beta Neil!" I screamed, feeling my throat knot as all heads turned in
VALERIE I was beyond shocked when Michelle wrapped her hands around me. “Don't worry, you can cry on my shoulder," she whispered and my brows raised in astonishment. The tears ceased to flow and the pain in my chest vanished, replaced by abashment and curiosity. “What are you doing?" I muttered, still paralyzed by shock. "Trying to comfort a sister,” she muttered. I whisked out of her supposed comfort grip and scoffed loudly. "Comfort? I wonder if you know how to use that word,” I groused and she narrowed her eyes. "As far as you're no longer the crybaby I saw some minutes ago, then it definitely means that I used the word right,” she said, and my eyes dimmed in confusion. Wasn't she supposed to be hating me? I wiped the streaks of tears on my face and tilted my head, getting the annoying encounter out of my mind. “Let's go," she muttered in a calm voice, throwing me into deeper confusion. I wanted to ask her questions about her changed attitude but couldn't. Was it my m
VALERIE How many days did I roll down that dark endless abyss? I couldn't calculate.But one thing was certain at a point. I saw a light. It was dim at first, piercing my lifeless eyes with a single ray and rushing hope and life to my dead body. The closer I got to the dim light, the brighter it got, and the greater my hope heightened.“Valerie!" A familiar voice snapped into my mind, setting my dead brain cells back in order.“V!" That nickname sounded familiar but I couldn't place where I had heard it.The light flashed into my eyes, causing me to gasp and slam my eyes shut.“Valerie, can you hear me?" The voice muttered in my head and I fluttered my eyes open.The surroundings seemed strange and full of light, unlike the dark vacuum I had been stuck in.“You're finally awake?" That was a feminine voice, but it definitely didn't sound like my mom's voice.Who owned it? Michelle?I swerved my head around and the face that smiled down at me made my brows raise in surprise.I tried
VALERIE I stood by the window, resting my weight on the crutch, staring at the running kids in the field.A day had passed since I woke up and yet no sign of them or Michelle. This was enough, wasn't it?I had made up my mind to leave whenever these invisible wounds healed up and whenever I had gotten my revenge on Michelle.I swore to make her pay, and relenting was no option for me. I was going to be a monster, I had to get ready for the sacrifices, and that included locking up my feelings.“How are you feeling?" The last voice I wished to hear echoed behind me.I took a deep breath and turned around, staring blankly at Damion's face.Sadness darted across his eyes when he glanced at the crutch I held onto.“I heard…" he paused and bit his lips, that innocent action causing my heart to flip.“Yeah, we fell, and she was the only one that ended up with a serious injury. Stupid, right? I chuckled, hoping that the pain in my voice didn't reach his ears.He sighed and tucked his hands
MICHELLE A gasp slipped out of her mouth when Neil dangled the necklace in the air. She staggered back, rubbing her trembling hand across her neck. She raised her hand and pointed at the necklace before her, her eyes as wide as saucers. "That… that necklace…" she stuttered, her lips trembling. "That is the necklace I sent to you, isn't it?" Lucian snapped, glaring hatefully at her. "I…" Valerie stuttered. Her lips kept trembling as she couldn't find the right convincing words to defend herself with. I smirked, knowing that I had done excellent work by trapping her.I had switched the necklace with a fake one when she refused to wear it this morning. I knew Bianca would persuade her to wear it which she did, but funnily, she wore the fake one while I had the one Killian and Lucian sent to her.My initial plan was to drop it in the ceiling space to trap her but it still came out useful here."Her blood is on it, which means you pushed her," Killian said, sighing loudly in disappo
VALERIE I curled up in the ceiling space, my clothes dampened with sweat. I sighed and checked the time, cursing silently. I bit my lips, wondering why the Pack's doctor would go so far to get the dreadful incense. I had to take my revenge tonight or I would never be able to get a chance to do so.As I sat on the dusty ground, lost in thought, a loud thud on the ceiling space jerked me back to the dreaded reality.I sprang up on my knees, my hands trembling in fear. The thud came again, followed by a hiss. I dimmed my eyes in confusion, staring at the dim light that flashed across the farther part of the ceiling space. I gasped in fear and clasped my hand over my mouth, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. I began to wonder if Michelle had deceived me by bringing me up here. After some minutes, the thud stopped, and everywhere became silent again, but as time passed, a low muffled sound slipped into my ears.I crouched in the dark ceiling space, my heart racing as I listened
MICHELLE I gasped and snatched my hand out of her strong grip."Why… why are you like that?" I snapped, filled with shock. She glanced around as if searching for someone before gripping my hand again. "You have to help me hide away from the Pack's doctor!" She snapped, her eyes filled with fear and desperation. I looked around the empty hall and then back at her, raising my brows in question. "What are you talking about? Why in the world will you be afraid of that doctor?" I scoffed.Her blood drained and her eyes got wider as dread clouded her eyes."She has an incense that could bring out a demon fully. She knows that I have a demon in me!" She blurted out.My jaws fell and I swung my head around, wondering what I should do. If the Lycan kings find out that I helped her hide, then it would be a disaster for me."I'm sorry, but I can't help here," I muttered, trying to shake her grip off my wrist, but she held on tight, glaring at me."You won't help me?" She snapped, sinking he
MICHELLE I stood at the edge of the crowd, forcing a smile as Adriana danced with her sister, Arlene. My heart would always skip a beat every time she turned to look at me with an evil glee in her eyes.I needed no one to tell me that she planned on exposing me, but what I feared was the time she planned to do that.The music stopped playing and the Luna Queen grabbed a glass of wine, hitting a spoon against it.Everyone stopped what they were chattering about and focused on her.The Luna Queen smiled so happily, making my heart bleed. Whenever I saw her on that podium, I would always be reminded of the sadness on my mother's face before she died. That should have been my mother's throne, that should have been her place.If Luna Jasmine hadn't killed my mother back then, perhaps everything would have still been right. I wouldn't have to be intimidated by her mannerless daughter."It is time for the cutting of the cake and the announcement of a new age!" She announced and a loud ovat
VALERIE I walked into the large grand hall alongside Bianca, holding my head up high. A gasp slipped out of my lips the moment I stepped into the hall. It gave a charm that noroom had ever given. The ballroom stretched wide, its polished marble floor gleaming under the light of massive crystal chandeliers. Ornate gold-trimmed walls rose to meet a vaulted ceiling painted with delicate frescoes, while tall arched windows let moonlight spill across the room. Velvet drapes framed the windows, and soft classical music floated through the air, echoing the elegance of the atmosphere."Bianca, why does this place look so lovely?" I whispered, my eyes gleaming.She chuckled and nudged me playfully, a smile on her face."This is the grand hall of the Blood Moon Pack where every royal ceremony and gathering is held. Perhaps in the future, you and the Lycan kings will get married in this hall," she muttered and the smile on my face dropped."What?" I gasped.Her brows raised in confusion and
KILLIAN I walked down the dark hallway, swinging the blade in my hand and a cigarette stuck between my lips. I reached a door and punched in the passcode. The door rolled open and I walked into the room. The lights turned on, and my lips stretched into a smirk when my eyes fell on Alpha Cameron, who was struggling to remove the tapes tied around him. "Alpha Cameron, long time no see!" I laughed loudly, waving the blade in the air. He murmured but his words weren't delivered due to the gag on his mouth. "You want to say something?" I asked, grinning. He nodded his head, his eyes pleading. I chuckled and covered the spaces between us, then tore out the gag. He gasped in relief and sucked in some air, muttering words of gratitude. "A low-ranked alpha like you tried to step up to me? That is crazy!" I said, huffing loudly. He panted, refusing to say a word. I took a long drag at the cigarette and bent down, grabbed his hair."Tell me, who sent you?" I asked. He raised his eyes
MICHELLE "Your bath is ready, my lady," my maidservant said as she trudged into the bedroom. I smiled lightly and got off the chair that I was sitting on then shuffled into the bathroom. "Any news?" I asked her as I dipped my body into the warm water. "Did you prepare my gift?" I asked. "Yes, my lady," she responded. I smirked and took the body scrub, lathering my body with it. I would give Adriana a kind of gift that she would never forget. Not just her but everyone that would attend the birthday party that would be held tomorrow evening. "Your dress for the birthday ceremony has been delivered, my lady," the maidservant poked her head in and said. I smiled lightly and hummed in response, dipping my head into the water. Perhaps I could fulfill my mother's wish of finishing what she started and still be with the ones that I had always dreamed of being with. That would be killing two birds with a stone, and that was a method I had always been perfect in, even when I was a ch
ADRIANA My eyes batted in confusion and my lips trembled. "How can I argue with a dead woman? That's crazy!" I blurted out, unable to understand her words. Noah leaned closer, his eyes fixed on Diana. "Look here, Diana, I don't think it's the same woman. The woman behaved like every normal living being, she isn't—" "Hold on!" Diana said and took the phone, zooming the video. "Here, do you see that mole? That woman had that mole," she muttered, pointing at the small mole on the woman's face. "Who is this woman to you?" Noah asked while I replayed the video, searching for clues that would prove Diana either right or wrong. "She was my homeroom teacher in middle school. I attended her funeral with my parents," she muttered. "What killed her?" I asked. "Influenza," she mumbled. I peered closely and finally realized something strange about the woman. "Why is her skin tone different?" I muttered. Noah and Diana stopped talking and swerved their head in my direction. "What?" I
ARIANA Noah sighed and followed me out, laughing mockingly behind me. "Can you stop?" I snapped when I got to the parking lot. "Don't tell me that moron is your boyfriend—" "Was!" I corrected him, "Besides, I was just helping him become relevant." Noah stared at me in silence, his head tilted to the side while I fumed."You are pained, aren't you?" I scoffed and shook my head. "The only feeling I'm having right now is regret. I can't believe I let that leech go after the money I've given him. He'll pay for it all," I snarled, smirking sinisterly. "Now I know why you didn't break his skull in there," he chuckled and lit a cigarette, leaning on the car, beside me. My phone rang and I cursed loudly, bringing it out. I narrowed my eyes when Diana's name flashed across the screen. I accepted the call and placed the phone to my ear. "Are you in town? Let's meet up at our spot," she said. I felt relief wash over my body and I hummed in agreement. "I've had a terrible day, this i