chapter eight

ELORA'S pov

"Valen!" I called again, my legs hurting from how fast his movements were, why the hell was he in such a d*mn hurry.

'You're an Alpha, stop f*ck*ng screeching!' Lyra sighed, I could imagine her face-palming herself tiredly.

I'm about to mentally tell her to shut up but the suite doors materialize before Valen and I, when did we even get here?

Next, he placed his fingerprint on the electric door and it slid open. Pulling me inside, he hurled me around until my *ss fell flat on the bed. My body bouncing from the impact.

"What the f*ck is your problem!" My hands fisted, anger rising in my blood. I'm trying so hard to keep the forged male voice, but with the rage bubbling deep inside me, it feels so d*mn impossible.

"Why didn't you tell me you haven't taken anything before you fought with that Jake?" The veins on his arms became more prominent, his eyes on me intensifying by the second.

"Why would I tell you if I've eaten or not?" I narrowed my lashes. "Last I recall we are not friends. Actually, we are enemies."

His jaw clenched, he looked like he had more words to say but decided I wasn't worth that. Ignoring me, he reached for the food at the corner of the room, it was still covered.

I watched his every movement with heightened tension beneath my skin. Why was he doing this? I was a man, but he wasn't treating me like such. Instead, he kept acting like I was so slimy and small I could break.

Slowly, he opened the microwave I hadn't noticed was embedded into the wall, placing the two plates inside and closing it.

Every muscle on his back was taut, showing his anger still had not left yet.

"Are you gay?" I blurted out before I could stop it, and Valen went still.

Slowly, he turned to me, an eyebrow raised and his jaw still clenched in anger. "Do I look gay, Sunshine?"

I swallowed, wanting to pull away from his gaze but I bit my lip instead to force myself to stop f*ck*ng trembling. An Alpha would not back down.

His gaze slowly slipped to my lower lip which I held in-between my teeth. "Then why are you so concerned about what happens to me? The switch is quite suspicious, considering you've hated my guts since the first day I came."

"I offered you up to be killed by Jake." He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "And yet, you think I'm concerned about what happens to you?"

"Just to save me right after!" I blurted. "You put Jake and I up for a death match, and before Jake could even land a second blow, you stopped it. So can you care to tell me what your deal is with me."

"Are you a girl?" He asked, a serious tone replacing the anger he once had. "Do not lie to me, Lucius."

I felt my heart rate spike up. And that was when I realized it... my scent blocker had completely faded. And I didn't even notice.

"No..." I said softly, looking up at him through my lashes, I had no idea what Valen knew. Or why he kept acting hot and cold every single time, in ways I haven't even seen him act with Tristan and Jaxon. "I'm an Alpha," I added.

If he believed or didn't believe me, he didn't show. But his eyes never left mine. The tension between us could shatter glass. Just as soon, the microwave behind him chimed, showing the timer had gone off.

"I thought as much," he murmured before turning away from me. Bringing the food out, he placed it carefully back on the tray, and walked out of the suite.

The door closing behind him.

I stared at the food that he had warmed up for me. It made my stomach churn, but at the same time, my entire body was heated up.

Why did I have the feeling Valen knew more than he should? And why did it feel like he was playing a game with me? One that would break me if he won and I lost.

"Do you need help with your research?" A scrawny boy who looked like he spent all his time buried in textbooks said, following after me immediately I entered the library. I frowned and he cleared his throat.

"I'm Toby," he brought a hand towards me. "I saw how you kicked Jake's *ss, you're so cool!"

"Uh.. thank you?" I took his hand, shaking it slowly.

I scanned the books on the shelf, looking for any that had to do with the Blue Moon eclipse.

For some reason, it connected with the day my pack was banished, I need to know exactly what had happened on that day.

Father was framed, I was aware of that, but something deep down told me there was more. And with the way things kept going, I had an idea I would not be getting that file any time soon.

So I had to figure out what exactly happened that night. If I know that, then I might be able to figure out how to save my pack, with or without a document.

"— and he is just a very big bully." Toby finished. He had been blabbing on and on the entire minute and I had tuned out.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to him. "Look, I'm sure you're a really nice person, Toby. But I am not interested in making friends right now."

His eyes glistened, but a second later, he forced a smile and walked out.

A clap came from behind me, making me turn towards it instantly.

Tristan and Jaxon stood before me, Tristan leaning on the hinges of the hidden bookshelf, and Jaxon still clapping.

"Didn't think you had it in you to break a heart." Tristan taunted, his eyes looming over me. "You really do look like an ant, everyone keeps talking about it."

"I broke Jake's jaw. Can an ant do that?" I sneered. Glaring at them, I really shouldn't entertain small talk with these two but they make me so angry!

"Correction..." Jaxon pulled up his index. "You were smart and dodged his punches at the right time, and when he wore himself out, you attacked. Smart, yes, but strong? Nah."

My eyes narrowed further but I scoffed, deciding I didn't want to deal with them, but the second I turned, I stopped in my tracks, turning back to them with wide eyes.

"What do you mean when you said you had no idea I could break hearts?" I stared at both of them, panic clawing its way up my throat at the thought they might have figured out I was a woman. "Why would I break his heart when I am just like him? An Alpha."

Jaxon's lips curved up, like he was taunting me. "Just like him, huh?"

Tristan nudged Jaxon's arm, making him snicker a laugh. "Toby is gay."

Oh...

The tension in my blood reduced, spiking back up when I met their gazes, the way they looked at me...

These two definitely knew something. And I had a feeling it was about me.