Chapter 3

Valyne’s Pov

I felt a weight on my body, what was going on and when did my pillow get so heavy. I tried turning to the side, but with the weight pressed on me, it seemed almost impossible.

My eyes shot open instantly, “What in the….” the rest of the words dried up in my mouth as my face bumped into a bare chest, the memories hit instantly.

A gasp slipped past my lips, “What have I done”

Under Rigel egging, I had approached that mysterious stranger, one thing led to another and I ended up in his room.

My body was pressed against his, his arms wrapped against me protectively, I could barely breathe, what the heck, struggling to lift my hand, I froze in place at the face I had not seen clearly last night.

A chiseled jaw that stood out even amongst all the men I had ever seen, full brows, a pointed nose and long lashes, like that of a woman. I felt my breath hitch, he was ethereal, his chest rose and fell softly I couldn't resist the temptation to touch his crimson lips, even if lightly.

I made my way out of his embrace quietly, I had to get home before mom sent her toys after me, I had no interest in dealing with the whims of a mad witch.

“Sorry buddy, it was good while it lasted, hope we never meet again.” I mumbled, fumbling through my clothes, the room still smelled like sex.

“jerk” i cursed, my body ached, to say i felt sore was an understatement, with every movement I made a wince slipped through my lips.

My neck throbbed the further away I got from him, my vision blurred, slipping into the house, unlike the usual scent of pancakes and sounds of pots clanking while footsteps moved, it was deathly quiet.

I tip-toed silently, even if blindfolded I would always find my way to my room, so finding it in the dark was barely an issue.

Slipping into the comfort of my room I finally let go, my body slid down against the oak door, “That was a close call” I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Welcome home Valyne” the light to my room flicked on, a figure lounged carelessly on my sofa, biting into an apple.

My breath hitched, “hi mom” I greeted sheepishly, and to think I almost got away, "I didn't see you there”

“Where were you last night?” the words dripped like ice.

My lips stretched of its own accord, “You almost gave me a heart attack” I held my heart dramatically.

“You should just drop dead then. You smell off” she mused.

I quickly made my way to her, massaging her shoulders, “You must have been waiting for me all night, don't you think you should get some rest? I can help you settle in”

“Brat,” she hit me with the pillow, “You had me worried all night” she hit me again, “Where were you.” She continued.

I took off, “I just went to have a little fun, What's the harm in that.” I bit my lips, she didn't need to know the gruesome details.

“fun? Fun? All night. Stay there, let me show you fun,” we ran round the room.

“I'm no longer a kid, mummm” I whined, still running.

“Then stop acting like one, why didn't you come back after what happened.” Her voice turned soft, I could see the pain in her eyes.

My voice cracked, my heart tightened in my chest, “Mum” I whispered, voice trembling.

“You should have come back at least. You're still my daughter,” she approached, caressing my face.

Tears streamed down my face, I finally let out the ugly sobs buried in my chest, I cried out my heart in her warm embrace.

“There, there, let it all out.” Her arms wrapped around me as she patted my, “let it out, he's not worth your tears.” She consoled me.

“They played me.” I sniffed, “I planned and organised the wedding of Sara and Mike. Mum, it hurts” I wailed louder.

She nodded, “I know, but just let it out, let it all out. Let today be the last day they'll see your tears. Let it all out, dry your tears and leave the strong woman I raised.”

I felt the trembling of her body, the pain was etched in her very voice, “Go take a shower, I make pancakes, the syrup is exactly how you like.”

“Is it hot?” I sniffed.

She flicked my forehead, “I’m no longer a kid, mumm” she threw my words back at me.

“Owww” I grabbed my head, “that hurts” I grumbled.

She glared at me, “Good, at least you still feel something, go take a shower. You reek.”

“No” I stuck out my tongue, rushing to my bathroom before she got her hands on me.

“You're so lucky, I would have skinned you alive.” I heard her voice just as I shut the door.

“Good luck catching me mum. Byeee” I teased.

The sound of the door shutting told me she was already gone.

Sigh.

Steam rose in the air, hot water poured over my body, washing off the filth. I closed my eyes, immersed in it, the refreshing feeling that came with it, but as my eyes closed under the shower all I could see was those traitorous pair, Sara's smug smile like she had won a trophy.

Bastards.

Suddenly something pulsed in my neck, like a part of it was alive, it began throbbing, like things were piercing into me.

I groaned painfully, dragging myself out of the shower and to the mirror, “When the heck did having sex begin ending with throbbing necks.” I grumbled, moving to examine the neck.

“What the hell.” I gasped, my skin was red, redder than usual, did I sleep with a dog.

It looked like a hickey and yet not one, a weirdly shaped hickey at that.

“Since when did hickeys have a crescent shape?” I grumbled, “wait, where's my necklace?”

“What's that?” The air dropped several degrees, followed by a cold voice.

“Ah.” I quickly turned, hiding my neck from her line of view, “It’s you, get out of my room Ophelia” I scoffed.

“Don't change the topic, what is that on your neck?” Her pupils narrowed, the same way it always did whenever she wasn't going to let go of something, she stalked towards me, eyes still fixated on my neck brows furrowed.

You're marked. A wolf marked you.” She stated eyes gleaming, “Motherrr” she screeched, mischief swirling in her pupils.

Alarm bells went off in my ears, marked, I swallowed nothing, taking in the weirdly shaped crescent mark, it wasn't a hickey, it's a mark.

I was marked by a wolf? Fuck, first, no powers now a wolf?