VALERIE I dropped the mop in its rightful position before sighing loudly, my body aching with tiredness. My eyes were heavy, screaming for a short nap or if possible, a nice long sleep. But unfortunately, none of the two options was possible. “Done with the cleaning?" Julianna's voice growled behind me and I felt my heart twitch in fear. I gulped hard and spun around, forcing a smile into my pale face. “Yes," I replied. She narrowed her large owlish eyes, chuckling loudly. Her chuckle made her sagging breasts and protruding belly bounce and quiver. I snapped my eyes away from the unattractive sight, wondering why she would work around like that giving off orders and declaring what a tyrant she was. “Alright, come with me!" She hissed, waving her large hands ahead. “Don't be sluggish," she added as she forced her fat-filled legs to move forward. I trudged after her, silently enduring her annoying words and sneers. As we walked along the large passageway, my gaze fell on the
VALERIE My lips opened and slammed shut, I batted my lashes, my heart twitching in pain. Her eyes narrowed intimidatingly around my body and she chuckled. “Who are you?” She asked and my brows raised in surprise. “Huh?" I stammered, wondering if I heard right. Who am I? Has she forgotten me? I felt relieved and grateful that she didn't remember me. “Oh, me?" I stammered and gulped hard before glancing up at her beautiful face again. “I'm a maid. Julianna sent me over to have your room cleaned up," I said and bowed, making sure to sound as polite as possible. “I don't like it when people bow before me, so stop it," she muttered, and I snapped my head up in surprise. “Huh?" I mumbled again in confusion. I felt confused by her strange behavior. She wasn't acting like the girl I met earlier in the hallway. She sounded different; she smelt different, and she acted different. I parted my lips and spilled out the perturbing question in my mind. “Who are you if you don't mind?” I
VALERIE I slowly turned with my heart in my hand. My eyes widened in dismay as I stared at the Luna of Blood Moon Pack, the vicious and feared queen of the wolf kingdom. From what Bianca told me about her, I could tell her power, aura, and wickedness were full of evil.“My queen," my voice quivered as I bowed low to the ground.“You called my daughter a bitch and a peacock?" Her authoritative voice made my throat knot.I wanted to defend myself but couldn't. No matter how hard I tried, my lips wouldn't part or move.No, Mother, there is–” She raised her hand, shutting Arlene up."Take her away!” She ordered and soldiers trooped into the room. My heart sank as I stared pleadingly at her."Please, have mercy, my queen. Please have mercy!” I finally found my voice and screamed out as they dragged me out of the room.I watched my whole world crumble before me as they dragged me off to an underground. The sound of the steel doors pulling open made my heart leap. I was roughly pushed in by
VALERIE I blinked and stepped back but ended up pushing down a thin, dirty-looking boy to the ground. He cried out in pain, and I spun around, enveloped in guilt.“I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry," I muttered, trying to pacify him as I helped him up and patted his head.He looked up at me with rheumy eyes that pleaded for freedom. The same freedom that I sought for.I couldn't believe that they had a little innocent child locked up in here for a crime his Alpha might have unintentionally committed. I wondered how long he had been in there for an offense, he did not know of.“There, there. Consoling your kind, huh?" Her stinging voice came up again and compelled me to turn around.“You think you've won?" I wanted to stop myself from replying to her curt words but I couldn't. I wasn't weak; neither was I dumb.She frowned and snapped her head back. After the fading of some seconds, she shifted her gaze back to me, her lips stretched out in humor.“Well… have you then?" She muttered, showing
VALERIE My heart thumped loudly and I slowly turned. I felt my heart skip a beat as I stared at Lucian's uptight face.“What are you doing in here?" He snapped in a rugged voice as he ran his eyes over my crouched body in suspicion.“I… I…" I gulped hard, unable to find an answer to his question. My mind reeled, and different suggestions ran through my head, but none of them made sense like the last one.“I came to thank you and your brother for standing up for me," I blurted out, hoping he didn't catch a glimpse of dishonesty in my eyes.“Oh… really?" He muttered in a calm voice and stepped fully into the room, shutting the door behind him.My heartbeat increased as I watched his steps, wondering what was going on in his mind. His face or eyes didn't dare give his thoughts away. I clenched my fist as he got closer, hoping he didn't get to fish out the piece of paper hidden under my ass.I shifted uncomfortably, cranking my head back to check if a peek of the paper was in view but s
KILLIAN A slip of paper caught my eyes as Lucian talked. I squatted down and picked it then flipped it over. My eyes dimmed as I read the names written on the paper.“Wasn't this paper on the table?" I asked, extending it towards Lucian.His lips slammed shut as he narrowed his eyes at it.“And?" He muttered grumpily, slipping on a sapphire ring on his finger.“I found it on the floor," I replied and he snapped his gaze towards me in confusion.“I kept it right here," he tapped a space before him.I glanced down at the place and then at the paper.I saw him put it there and I was sure that this paper didn't fly down to that pace on its own.“What was that girl doing when you got in?" Lucian tilted his head, trying to understand who I was referring to.“What girl?" He asked, settling his gaze and attention on the ring strapped around his finger.“That girl, what is her name?" I snapped my head back, hoping that I'd remember her name.Lucian looked up at me with an amused look on his
VALERIE My jaws fell open as I let her words sink in slowly. “You will help me escape?" I muttered again. A scowl slowly replaced the smirk on her face and she scoffed loudly in disgust. “Your sight irritates me. The best way to get rid of you is by letting you get away from my brothers; that way, I won't be able to cross paths with you every day," she snickered, narrowing her eyes at me. Though her words sent a sharp pain through my body, I was somewhat thankful that she hated me that badly. “That's a good thing," I said, smiling lightly. She tilted her head and returned the false smile before stepping away. “Get out," she muttered and I obeyed her instantly. “I'm going to take you to one of the boundaries of the wolf kingdom. You'll find your way from there,” she muttered and I broke into smiles, showering praises on her. Pride darted across her grey orbs and she smirked before leading the way into the car. My heart kept thumping loudly in excitement as we drove
VALERIE The man gasped out, blood splashed out of his mouth and he dropped to the ground, wriggling in pain. I sighed out in relief and looked across to the door. My heart dropped into my belly when I saw two huge figures standing by the door. One was with a gun and the other had a clenched fist. A cough from the man sprawled out on the ground made me snap my terrified gaze away from them. Only their scent was able to tell me who they were and what they were doing here.The one with the gun stepped in first followed by his brother. He looked up and pulled off the mask on his face. My breath hitched as I stared into Lucian's furious eyes.The other man pulled off his mask, too, and it turned out to be Killian.“Al… Alp… Alpha…" I stammered, searching for words that I could use to defend myself.“Hold your explanation!" Lucian growled and I shuddered in fear.Lucian took a few steps towards the groaning man and squatted beside him. He placed the gun on the man's neck and he stiffened o
MICHELLE I rushed to the garage and called out to Lucian before he got into the car. He paused and looked up, raising his brows in question. I placed a large, innocent smile on my face as I walked up to him. "You are going to see Adriana, aren't you?" I asked, grinning. He tilted his head to the side and hummed in response, the silent question of 'what do you want' still rotating in his eyes. "I want to visit Adriana but I fear they won't let me in if I go alone. I want to see how she is faring," I blurted out, fully aware that Killian hadn't told him of his suspicions. At least, the conflict they had between them has become quite helpful now. His huff snapped me back to the conversation and forced me to look at his face. A smirk of anger was evident on his face, making me wonder if I was wrong with my conclusion. "Why do you care so much about seeing her? Is there anything you want to know?" He asked and my throat knotted. What if I was wrong? What if he had suspected me
MICHELLE I couldn't stop fidgeting as I paced around the garden with Valerie's words echoing in my mind. I bit my fingers, thinking of ways that I could silence her before the day of her judgment. I had taken the risk of silencing Adriana and my maidservant, it would be a waste if I let Valerie expose me after all my efforts. But if I have to silence Valerie, then I have to keep the guards guarding the dungeon quiet as well. I groaned in frustration and turned around but collided with a maid.The coffee pot on the tray turned over and the steaming brown coffee splashed on me."Why is everything getting worse!" I screamed, feeling a burning, painful sensation gnawing on my skin. The maid went on her knees and bowed lowly. "Forgive me, my lady!" She said, trembling slightly. "Sorry?" I snapped, silently muttering spells that eased the pain throbbing at the spot the hot coffee hit. "Will your worthless apology heal the scalds on my skin?" I growled at her "No, my lady, but I wil
KILLIAN I stared solemnly at the clear sky then shifted my gaze to the ground below, watching as people bustled around the manor, moving in and out through the gate with different emotions scribbled against their faces.I had spent the night in the hospital, waiting for Adriana to regain consciousness and spill out the rascal that dared to attempt killing her, but with the doctor's persuasion that she wouldn't be waking up at any moment, I had to leave helplessly.Since the incident, I have tried to understand the circumstances surrounding Valerie and the connection between the disasters that occurred yesterday. The words she said still echoed in my mind but I hadn't brought myself to think about it due to what happened to my sister and the maidservant.Did she commit those crimes to avenge her father whom she claimed we murdered? Even if she did, what has that got to do with the maidservant that was thrown off the roof?I scoffed and shook my head, taking another swig of the alcohol
MICHELLE I gasped and staggered back, clinging to the cold wall with my hair springing up. "Damion?" I snapped, heaving loudly at the monstrous face he had on.He slowly got up and breathed out smoke as he marched towards me with a clenched fist covered in veins. I shrieked loudly and jerked my head to the side, closing my eyes at the disgusting mark on his face. "What the hell are you doing?" I growled, wrinkling my nose as the demon's disgusting breath hit my face. "Fucking stop!" I growled in frustration. "Why did you do that? Why did you make Valerie take the fall?" He groused. I scoffed loudly and twitched up my lips in disgust and mockery. "You expect me to take the fall after planning that for Adriana?" I snapped. "You should have thought of a way to escape before carrying out your evil-doing," he fired back at him. Anger surged through me and I gritted my teeth, glaring at him. "Get Damion's face back, you look disgusting!" I spat at him in disdain. My words took h
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