Chapter 7

Valerie’s POV

Letting Xandia into his house roused a lot of uncertainties already. Then him blocking us on our way out, gave me all the shrills.

He stared at us coldly without saying a word. His face expressionless so much that I couldn’t read a thing.

“Hi?” I smiled wryly.

Xandia staring at me did the same thing. “Hi.” Whispering in my ears, “is he the owner of this place?”

I hummed a response, “hmm.”

Turning my attention back to him. “Sorry, I was worried when I woke up and didn’t find you.”

Just wagging his head, “I was busy in the woods and you were asleep.” Advancing, “are you going somewhere?”

Scratching my neck, “actually…we were.“

His stretched palm interrupted me as he stared closely at Xandia. “I know you…or I’ve seen you before.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” He pushed us lightly and walked into the cabin. We had to drag ourselves behind him. “So, Xandia here came to take me back to the pack house.”

He froze in his steps, turning back slowly. “Which pack house?”

Not sure the kind of response to give, “I mean my pack house.”

He let out a muffled laughter, “you mean the sane one that your late parents were accused of being traitors? The same one that they banished you from?”

His questioned without any iota of concern form my feelings. Yet, he was just stating fact.

“Yes, Xandia came from the pack to inform me of the good news.”

He poured himself a glass of hit coffee. “Let me guess, that your punishment has been lifted?”

My eyes widened, “how did you know? Although, that’s not exactly the case.”

Leaning forward, “then tell me, what is the case?”

“Xandia, here is the alpha’s daughter.” He didn’t seem elated about that fact, “she’s also my best friend and she came all the way from the pack house to give me the news.”

“Really?” Taking a generous gulp of coffee, “so you are telling be that you came all the way from your pack house that is miles away from this place just to take back your…friend?”

“Best friend!” Xandia stumped, “it took a lot to convince my father to consider a change of mind.”

Dropping the glass on the table, “you came all the way because of a consideration? Do you know all the dangerous things out here?”

I don’t need to be told that he obviously hates the idea of me going back to the pack.

“I know it’s dangerous but I had to come find Valerie.”

“You also have to act like a princess!” slamming the table. “Do you know how many enemies your father has? What if any of them was tracking you here?”

My heart sank into my stomach. Xandia’s face paled.

“But-“

“But what? Is that not supposed to be basic logic? That you consider the safety of the pack. Even if you were so excited to find your friend, why didn’t you cone out with at least a guard?”

She stared at me puzzled fur some seconds, “I didn’t think of that. Moreover, it’s not my first time going out without guards.”

“This is not just going out. You are in the wild!”

“Claven!” Already seeing the effect of his scolding on Xandia. “Please, can you stop making things difficult?”

Tilting his head to the right, “difficult? You both already made things difficult.”

“And we apologize. We have to go now if there’s any hope of getting to the pack house early.”

Taking Xandia’s hands. He didn’t say anything just stared for a while.

“You are making things difficult again.” He said calmly. Not trying to stop us but by indecisiveness was awakened by his comments.

“What do you mean?” I asked.”

“Xandia is the alpha’s daughter. He might get angry but he wouldn’t harm his daughter. But guess who he can hurt?”

The word escaped my mouth involuntarily, “me.”

Rising to his feet gently, “the alpha didn’t just get to that position because he loves his pack. He gained his influence from being rigid and tough enough to hold the pack together. Punishing every form of disobedience.”

Taking off his coat, he continued. “Your parents committed treason.”

“No, they didn’t. They were accused falsely.”

“No one believes that.”

“That’s why I’m going to the pack to explain to the alpha.” Tears itched in my eyes because slowly I was seeing from his perspective.

“The alpha is tough, Valerie.” This tone his voice was mild and low. “You might end up not proving yourself and he might hurt you.”

“My dad won’t do that!” Xandia intercepted. “She’s my best friend and I won’t let him do that.”

“Really? Just the way you tried to stop her parents from being punished or the way you stopped him from banishing her?” His irony was glaring and piercing. I knew Xandia couldn’t really do much to stop her father.

She took my hands, “Valerie, don’t listen to him. My father really wants to give you a chance. He wouldn’t hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“Valerie, I’m not going to stop you. I’m just going to tell you the truth. Despite your parent’s death and your banishment, a lot of bad people are still threatened by your existence and they’ll try to silence you permanently.”

“Not if I prove my innocence first.”

“And how exactly do you plan on doing it?” His eyes expressed his genuine concern. I could tell he didn’t want me to leave. “You think just by crying and explaining without evidence, you’ll get things to change?”

Xandia stared at me with glistening eyes. I was caught between the both of them but I had to make a choice. A difficult choice but I had to.

“There’s no harm in trying. I’m tired of living in exile and I’ll try to convince the alpha that my parents are I are innocent.”

Claven’s face gloomed as he said, “good luck then. You should be on your way so you’ll arrive early.”

I could tell it was an internal struggle but I had to pick Xandia’s side.

She took my hand, “let’s go, Valerie!”

I turned to him abruptly, “bye, Claven!”

As we ran out of the cabin into the woods. I turned to take another look at the cabin. It might not have been the best in comfort but I felt safe in it. Claven kept me safe. My heart thumped by the second. I was going back to the same place that broke me. All my fears were materializing.

What if the alpha doesn’t listen to me? What if Claven was right? Who would save me if things go south?