LOGINThe journey to the Demon Kingdom was a long one, just as Joanne had told Valerie. It was also very boring to her; she had no one to talk to. The driver stopped only twice before they got to their destination: first to refuel the car, and then to get Valerie something to eat.The car finally stopped in front of a tall gate. The driver popped his head out, spoke to one of the guards, and then drove in. The journey from the gate to where the car stopped again took another twenty minutes; Valerie checked the time."We are here," Liam announced.Valerie stepped out of the car and stretched. She was not only tired but sleepy too. Valerie looked around. It was a few minutes past two in the morning; everywhere was still dark, and she could hardly see anything. Not even a street light was on.Liam flicked his finger, and suddenly the street lights were on. Valerie could see most of the houses now."Come with me, ma'am," Liam told her.Valerie followed him down the street until they got to a ma
Ariel held Valerie's hands. "Have fun for two, okay? And make sure you call me whenever you have the chance."Valerie nodded. "I will call you every day."Ariel smiled. "You never can tell if you will, but anytime you can, please do. I'll be alert and ready to pick up your calls."Ariel had said it with a smile, but Valerie could tell there was more to it than words could tell.Are there restrictions on calling people over there? She wondered. She began to look forward to going to the Demon Kingdom. She was also curious to know more about them."Can you tell me more about..."Leonard rolled down the glass of the car window. "Time to leave.""You should get in the car," Ariel said. "We shouldn't keep him waiting."Valerie nodded. "Can I always ask you questions when I call?"Ariel smiled. "Sure, always."Valerie pulled Ariel into a hug. "Take care of yourself.""And you too," Ariel answered.Valerie pulled away from the hug and got into the car. The driver waited until the cars in fro
Joanne was in Valerie's room as early as three to get her ready for the trip. Valerie was still fast asleep. First, Joanne headed to the bathroom to get Valerie's bath ready before she returned to wake her up."Luna," She called, tapping Valerie slightly. "It's time to wake up and get ready."Valerie opened her eyes. "Get ready for what?""Your trip to the Demon Kingdom," Joanne answered.Valerie stared at the wall clock. This early? It was just a few minutes past three. "Isn't the time too early?" She asked Joanne."The trip to the Demon Kingdom is a long one. You need to leave before dawn, so you can get there before midnight."Valerie groaned. How far could it be that it takes almost a day to get there?She yawned. She was stressed out from yesterday and was sleepy too."Can I sleep for a few more minutes?" Valerie asked. "Five or ten minutes is fine.""I'm sorry, Luna, I can't," Joanne answered. "The Alpha asked me to get you ready in an hour.""Fine," Valerie mumbled and stood u
Elora returned to the Ice Pack that evening. Valerie had to go to Leonard's home to spend the night because they were leaving the next day. Also, Ariel did not want her staying in the Packhouse alone, with Elora gone and her being busy."I wasn't expecting to see you," Leonard said when he saw her. "I heard your friend left.""Yes, she did," Valerie answered. "Something came up at the Ice Pack.""So have you made up your mind to come with me? Do you still want to spend some time here? Ariel is leaving tomorrow with her brother."Leonard already knew that Valerie would be going with him but wanted her to say it herself."I'm leaving with you," Valerie answered.She wasn't interested in the conversation and did not try to ask any questions. She took the book she had come with from the table and opened it."You don't have any questions you would like to ask?" Leonard asked, trying to keep the conversation going.Valerie closed the book and stared at him. "Like what?""Don't you want to k
Valerie was smiling and trying to joke about it, but Elora wasn't buying it. "This is not the time to joke, Val. I'm worried."Valerie tapped Elora's hand. "Everything will be fine." "I hope so," Elora mumbled."Diana came," Valerie said, trying to divert Elora's attention."She came?" Elora asked. Valerie explained everything to Elora. "He released her?""He did," Valerie answered. And then explained why Leonard did that."Do you trust him that much? What if he's using you?"Valerie smiled. "Am I not doing the same to him? Why should I be angry if he's also using me? I can only get angry if whatever he is doing can or will hurt me."Elora sighed. "Fine. I..." They heard a knock on the door. "Who's that?""Ariel." Elora stood up to open the door. "I'm coming."Ariel walked in after Elora opened the door for her."How was your night, Elora? Is Valerie back yet?" She asked."Yes. She came back a few hours ago."Valerie waved. "Hi, Ariel." Ariel moved closer to her. "Did you explain e
Valerie opened her eyes. She could hear Leonard calling her name and tapping her gently, too.She groaned. "What?"Leonard seemed not to have heard her because he kept calling her name and tapping her. "Valerie?" He called out again. "It's time to wake up.""I'm awake," she answered, and he stopped tapping her. "Why isn't the light on?"She reached out for the light and switched it on. She sat up. She looked at the window."It's not even morning yet. Why are you waking me up? Is there something you want me to do for you?""You need to leave," Leonard told her.Valerie furrowed her brows. "Are you trying to send me away?""You don't remember why you need to leave early?"He touched her forehead, and she pushed his hand slightly. "What are you doing?""Checking your temperature. It's not high. You don't look sick either. Did you not remember anything from yesterday?""Do you want me to forget something? Like you marking me without...""Aside from that, did you not remember the things
"Valerie has said a lot about you," Elora continued. "She doesn't get close to people or talk about them. For her to talk about you, she must like you a lot. And whoever my friend likes, I also like."Arden rolled his eyes, mimicking Elora's last sentence.He kind of likes their friendshi
They began to murmur among themselves. A few people threw little stones at her while others stared at her with disdain.Valerie slowed down on her steps. Something bad has happened to the Park; she could feel and see that but what it was, she couldn't say. She wanted to ask someone what was going o
With no word from Elora and no one to talk to, Valerie became very bored and tired of her usual daily routine: wake up, eat, paint, read a book, sleep, go for personal training, eat, and go back to sleep again.She decided that she was going to go out again and have some fun; it was better than rep
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 togethe







