Chapter 4

After Elora left the Moonlight Pack, Valerie stopped going to the clubhouse they always went to. She spent most of her time indoors, painting, reading, and chatting with Elora whenever she had the chance, and when she was bored, she visited every place in the Moonlight Pack they had visited together.

So many times, her father tried to make her become friends with Luella but Valerie wouldn't budge. She was comfortable with having only Elora as a friend even though she is no longer around her.

She also did not feel comfortable with Luella; Valerie thinks she pretends a lot.

"I think you should go out and have some fun," Elora had told her during one of their long calls.

"But you are not here anymore," Valerie had replied to her.

Elora was always the reason she was willing to go out but now that she is no longer here, Valerie doesn't have to zeal anymore.

"I know. But please go out and have fun," Elora insisted. "You can't keep being sad because of that. I won't be happy about that."

Valerie assured Elora that she would try her best, but days passed, and they were back to having the same conversation. Not only did Valerie not go out to have some fun, but she also remained indoors for a long time.

"But you promised me," Elora told her.

"I tried," Valerie replied. "But I couldn't bring myself to leave my room."

"You just have to try harder, Valerie," Elora encouraged her. "I wish I could come back to the Moonlight Pack soon, but the Ice Pack is far away and there are so many things to get familiar with."

Valerie sighed. She understands.

Elora is just getting familiar with the Ice Pack; she can't leave yet.

"Your dad called me, Val. He sounded so worried about you. Can you try to go out today? Or even speak to a few people."

Valerie shook her head. She wasn't going to accept that. She can still remember vividly how the Pack members had treated her badly and are still treating her badly.

"I am not speaking to anyone here, Elora. You know..."

"I know and I understood you perfectly. But I still want you to be happy. How about you go to the club? Maybe..."

"I tried so many times, but when I got to the gate, I went back."

Elora sighed. What can she do to make Valerie happy?

She was worried that if this continued, Valerie would go back into her shell.

"How about I call the driver to pick you up today?" Elora asked.

"I do not think I want to go," Valerie said and that ended the conversation.

Elora decided to speak to her about something different. Although she wanted her friend to go out and have fun, she wasn't going to force her into doing it.

They talked for a while before the call ended. Valerie decided to take a stroll and maybe visit her father; she doesn't want him to be too worried about her.

She changed into more comfortable clothes, picked up her phone, and then left the room. Valerie met a few maids on her way out of the Pack house. A few of them greeted her, while others ignored her.

Valerie ignored them too and went to the training ground. She decided she was not going to visit the places she had visited with Elora, but instead went to places she had never visited.

She met some warriors practicing. Those who recognized her greeted her and those who did not just kept staring at her strangely.

Surprisingly, Valerie felt happy watching them. She found a spot and then sat down. She took pictures and sent them to Elora, telling her she had found a new interest.

By the time Valerie left the training ground, she had one thing in mind: to become a warrior too. She visited her father to tell him what she wanted to do.

"I don't want that for you," her father told her. "Being a warrior is stressful."

Valerie insisted that was what she wanted and her father had no option but to give in.

"But on one condition," her father told her. "I don't want you to remain indoors. Go out, have fun, and stop making me worry about you."

Valerie assured her father that she would stop staying indoors and try to make friends.

"But I can't assure you that they will make friends with me."

Her father nodded. For as long as his daughter comes out of her shell and is happy again, he is satisfied.

Valerie left her father's place and instead of returning to her room, she joined the rest at the dining table.

Everyone was surprised to see her but they said nothing about it, except Luella, who could not keep shut about it.

"I did not expect to see you here."

"Well, I am here now," Valerie answered.

Before dinner was served, Luella tried to start a conversation with Valerie but she was turned down politely.

"So rude," Luella mumbled.

Dinner was served and they went on to eat. Valerie left the table before the others, but did not go back to her room. She went on a stroll down the street instead. Valerie walked in silence for a while with a lot running through her mind.

She was beginning to think whether her decision to become a warrior was a good one and if they would accept her or treat her like others do.

They must know about her curse. She thought. What if they stay away from her? Becoming a warrior would be difficult.

Valerie's phone began to ring, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was Elora calling; she picked it up.

"Val, I might not be able to speak to you for the next few weeks," Elora said.

"Why?" Valerie asked.

"My dad wants me to learn the Pack rules and also go to council meetings with him," Elora answered. "I might also be traveling with him in a few days."

Valerie groaned. If Elora gets busy, what is she supposed to do?

But she can't stop Elora from doing what she is supposed to do.

She sighed. "For how long will that be?"

"You mean when we are going to return?" Elora asked. "I am not sure of that. But I will try to get in touch as soon as I can."

Valerie nodded. "I will be expecting your call soon."

After the call ended, Valerie returned to the Pack house. She saw Luella lurking around.

She seems to be on a call, which she ended the moment she saw Valerie.

"What are you doing over there?" Valerie wanted to ask but she decided against it.

"Hi," Luella mumbled.

"Hi," Valerie waved back.

"Do you ever go out?" Luella asked. "Like clubbing? Don't you ever get bored?"

"I do not get bored," Valerie answered.

"You..."

"Good night, Luella," Valerie ended the conversation.

Luella was angry that Valerie cut her short.

She wasn't trying to be friends with her because she wanted to but because her father insisted.

"Whatever," she mumbled before entering the Pack house too.