I still remember the night of the lunar eclipse when the smell of arson drizzled along in the wind, and the night sky was covered in a vast orange hue caused by the fire while the whole pack was bathed with the music of moans and sufferings echoed all over the place.
I remembered smiling more, seeing the dead bodies of his pack members, along with the emotions I buried.
I couldn't forget the look of betrayal and fury of him when Valerian realized that the subterfuge I was doing had come to light. It inflicted a thousand arrows directly to my chest with such a sight that was not to behold.
And I ended up losing him in the process.
I thought it was easy to finish him then, but I never thought I would find myself drifting apart from him.
My actions to his whole pack with the help of my henchmen and the deception of professing my love to him were so unbearable and heart-rending that Valerian chose to die in front of me by coercing the tip of my sword to be pierced in his chest with a crestfallen smile plastering on his lips.
"I hope you shall be happy after this... May you bring this to your grave that you hurt me, honeydew."
I was compelled to watch him dying before my eyes, feeling my emotions uprising and revolting that I was too late to realize that Valerian Leveaux was essential to my life.
He was the air I breathed, the glimmer of hope, and the light to my darkness.
But he was gone now...
"Valerian, I love you..." I cried and hugged his body. "NO!"
That agonizing scream I made and hearing my heart shatter into pieces was too much to handle, resulting in being punished for letting myself be obscured with emotions.
"Young mistress Dominixe." Orion, the head butler of the House of Cantavalle, arrived, bowing his head before me. I did not respond and waited for him to say something. "Lord Warren Porter has arrived to extend his wishes about tonight's event."
I grimaced upon hearing that name. "So?" I snorted. "Tell him to go home." There was no need for me to entertain that stupid lad.
"Lord Harchier wants you to entertain him until Lord Warren leaves, young mistress," Orion said when I walked past him.
I glared at him, not liking that he was using my father's name to entertain that man. "Fine!" I nudged his shoulder, indicating that I was displeased with how he acted on me. "Where is that asshole?"
"To the drawing room, my lady." He gestured his hand where it was.
"I know where it is." I marched away since I couldn't keep my head cool at tonight. Papa had already scolded me, and my sisters were already gossiping about me for certain.
If I did not entertain this bastard, I would never hear the end of his scolding. I would certainly end up in prison to learn from my mistakes.
Arriving in the drawing room, I could hear some soft, flirtatious giggles from Britanny inside. I gritted my teeth, knowing well what she was doing.
I barged in and saw Britanny on Warren's lap. Her shoulder was exposed before she frowned slightly and got off his lap.
"I shall take my leave, Lord Warren," Britanny said, giggling as she curtsied before him and left us with a smirk on her lips.
"L-Lady Dominixe, I can explain..." Warren reached for my hand, but I jerked it away.
"It seems Britanny can entertain you. She saves my time. You can go back to her." That was all I said before I turned my back.
"Come on..." Warren halted me. "You are my fiancée so—"
I did not wait for him to say anything and slapped his face. "I never wanted this engagement with you, so halt yourself from claiming me as if you want me. Go and speak with Papa that all you want is Britanny." I was about to yank my arm back, but Warren tightened his hold. "Release me this instant..." I threatened him.
Warren's face darkened and dragged me closer. "Once we get married, you are not allowed to talk to me like that, Lady Dominixe. I warn you." Gone was the frightened expression and was exchanged by his menacing aura. "If you think that tossing me away can make you call off our engagement, you are absolutely mistaken, my lady." He gripped my arm like it was a stick that could easily break.
"Who says am I doing something to call off our engagement?" He was not wrong about that fact.
Being engaged to this man was against my will. I begged Papa not to betroth me with him, but it was futile.
Papa no longer listened to me. My opinions were dismissed as I gradually became unfavorable in this household, a laughing stock among my half-siblings.
"Well, do you?" His eyes squinted as if that churning glare could penetrate me.
I almost snorted. His aura was nothing compared to Papa's. So, I couldn't feel fear the way he was exerting his intimidation on me.
"I must go now." My frigid tone was emitting while trying to yank back my arm.
But as a jerk, as he was, Warren tightened the hold on my arm, digging his nails into my skin. "Still thinking that your Alpha mate shall come and save a damsel in distress like you, don't you?" I stiffened as cold and warm air caressed my nape.
My hand landed on his cheek, chest rising up and down as turmoil of emotions hastily obscured my whole being. "You scoundrel... Do not mention my Valerian here!" I barked, feeling my heart aching to remember that past.
My jaw tightened, almost wanting to lacerate his throat with the dagger sleeping in my thigh holster. But I must calm down and not cause disputes between the Cantavalle and Porter families.
Papa was already at his limits. If I displeased him again, it should be over...
I was expecting Warren to shut his mouth, but I was wrong. His shoulders shook, and he smiled like an idiot before meeting my gaze.
"Don't get your high hopes up, Dominixe. He is dead and shall never come back to life." I clenched my hands, wanting to hurt him for his insolence. "After all, it is your fault. He killed himself because of you. Am I right?"
Before I could react to the memory that haunted me, Warren suddenly pulled me inside his arm and kissed me. "Hmm!" I struggled, wanting to use all of my strength to get away from him, but if Papa heard that I did something to displease my fiancé, there would be consequences. "L-Lord Warren, halt...!"
I wanted to fight back! I wanted to! But I couldn't find myself to do so.
Papa would kill me! I never wanted him to get mad at me! I wanted to please him as his first pup!
Warren started unbuttoning his suit. "Do not be frightened, Lady Dominixe. I just want a taste of you..." He pushed me to the couch and crawled towards me.
"No..." My chest rose up and down. I wanted to behave. I wanted to let myself succumb to this disgusting man. "But I can't!" I blurted out the thought I had on my mind.
Without thinking straight, I formed my hand into my first and punched Warren.
And the instinct of seeking bloodlust sank in me, being a member of the family of Alpha slayers.
It was too late to realize that I fucked myself up.
I gasped when Papa slapped my cheek, meeting his eyes burning in rage. "Did you just do that to him, Dominixe Lilith Cantavalle?!"I bit my lower lip when he slapped me again. This time, I was shoved to the floor. I couldn't utter a word as that would be disrespectful since he was already furious.He grabbed a handful of my hair and coerced me to look at him. "Say... Are you retaliating since I made you kill your Alpha mate, Domi? Is that what you are planning? Is this what you are going to do to your father?"I hated this. I did not even want to be wed to that man! I only wanted Valerian Leveaux as my husband! I wanted to be with him and followed him.But no words came out of my mouth, as usual."Do you even know who you just tackled down, Dominixe? Do you? He shall be part of this family! We need his resources!"I accepted how he kept slapping my face. I endured all the pain searing on my cheeks. I didn't shed a tear but was devastated that this was happening to my life.Was this ka
I peeled my eyes open and gasped for air. My chest rose up and down as I suddenly reminded myself that I was near death from Caroline poisoning me from the tea she prepared for me but... "H-Huh?" Why was I outside? Wasn't the sky supposed to be engulfed with the starry night sky since I was locked up in my room yet for being punished and poisoned by my sister? Then why was I seeing the sky with a shade of yellow, orange, and red?It was as if I was staring at the dawn right now.Hold on... Why had I seen this scenario before? I felt like I had been in this place... lying on the ground... I even smelled a stench of and was covered with... blood?"Wait? Blood? My blood?" I was horrified and touched myself. "Hold on... I am alive?" I asked myself, knowing I couldn't find myself having difficulty breathing. I was panting since I did not know what was happening. I knew I was on the verge of my death. I knew it. I even felt it... I knew what I saw. Caroline was there in my chamber to feed
I woke up the next morning, hearing Anita's voice. "I have prepared your bath, Young Mistress Dominixe. I even added some lavender and rosemary in your tub as well."I looked at her intently. I remembered before I died, I couldn't find Anita and even the antidote I kept in a secret compartment which she and I only knew. I had revealed that compartment six months ago.How could I forget before that everything in this manor, even people, couldn't be trusted? My judgment had clouded ever since Papa disagreed that I must not fall for him.Perhaps, I should be careful this time not to tell her and not act like she was my friend."You were jaded yesterday, my lady. You slept the whole day."I smiled, trying to be friendly a little. I would use it to my advantage to observe her properly. "Right? The whole night fighting made me exhausted." I yawned and went straight to the bathroom after she finished undressing me. I sighed contentment when I felt the lukewarm water bathe my naked body. "Ah.
I was stunned upon seeing Valerian right at this moment. It really happened that I met him.He was alive... and young... and looking arrogant. Oh, my... I rejected him in the past and yet, right now, my wolf had been able to recognize him as my mate. This was... truly fascinating."Do I know you? How did you know my name?"I snapped back, hearing the suspicious tone of Valerian. I cleared my throat and unfolded my fan. "What do you mean?" I looked at him in disbelief. However, there was a smirk smearing on my lips. "How dare you raise your voice on a noble lady like me?"The words I uttered were the same words I uttered in the past. However, unlike Valerian, his first response when we collided before was, "Are you blind?! Can't you see anything or what?"I wished to see that furrowed eyebrows again. And I saw them right at this moment. Now that I remember. It was quite fascinating that I would see him again in this timeline where he was alive and breathing before me.Valerian... I wou
Exhausted from spoiling myself, I arrived at the Cantavalle Estate, hearing some grunts from the training grounds."You can go ahead," I told Anita."Yes, my lady." She curtsied before me while the butlers took the stuff I purchased in the town.I took my strides toward the training grounds and saw Ingram having some vigorous sword and agility training along with his henchmen arranged by Papa. It felt nostalgic that I got to see this again. I regressed two years ago. I confirmed it when I woke up after Eric and Jude told me I had slaughtered Hudson Roly, the Alpha of the Dusk Moon pack. It meant that I was 24 right now and would be turning 25 soon. Ingram, however, the last time I knew, he was 15. He was probably 13 this time around."Impressive," I said and clapped my hands as soon as Ingram finished his training.Ingram gasped and turned his head in my direction. "Domi!" he called happily. I approached them while his henchmen bowed their heads before me. Ingram immediately dismiss
After avoiding them for the whole day, I decided to show myself for supper. I made sure that I was dressed well enough for everyone to look for my attention."Lady Dominixe has arrived," Orion announced and opened the door for me.I held my chin high as I entered. There, the four wives of Papa named, Zoey, Aurora, Natalie, and Josephine were present. As for my siblings, all of them were present except Arthur, 1st brother, Jethro, 4th brother, Raphael, 5th brother, and Britanny, 2nd sister."Oh, my. It has been a while, 1st sister," Natasha said as I sat next to her."Indeed. How about the others? Are they on a mission, Natasha?"Natasha chuckled softly. "Arthur, Jethro, and Raphael are in the Sundercoln Woods for hunting. Papa dispatched them."I was about to answer that I got it now but Lambert leaned forward to his table. "I heard your mission is successful, Domi. As expected..." He was smiling brightly as always, like his twin sister, Natasha.At this timeline, they were 21 years o
In the past, I went to Solacia for a vacation, not to Calaren.That town was known as the Hunting Capital because of Savanach Mountain, where we could hunt different wild animals.At that time, I happened to know that was where Valerian resided with his pack, the Nocturnal Crest pack. We accidentally met there while I was hunting.As for Calaren, the town was known for merchants. We could bargain there and purchase some valuable items that hadn't been available elsewhere.That was also the town where Britanny had gone back then before she met that man who became her toy which I couldn't remember him. But I was certain that was the town where she had her mission after a month Valerian died.I was planning to investigate there. I wanted to know if there was such a person from that pack which I could hardly remember now. It seemed like my memories of that person had started to slip from my mind. That was why I must do something to know whether that person existed. I must know his name.
A few days passed, I decided to go out again after locking myself in the inn I was renting at. I had lost my cool. Those simple words hurt me badly. There seemed to be thousands of arrows had pricked my heart when I kept it recalling Valerian's words inside my head. "I hope I do not get to see him..." It was strange that he was here. A few days after I arrived, Valerian and I were supposed to meet there in the Solacia. It should be like our second meeting there but... why did we meet here in the Calaren? Was the Moon Goddess like to play antics on me? That was it? Why was his agenda here in this town when that was not supposed to happen? I did not know what was happening, but this gave me goosebumps. To distract myself, I was far from the borders of the Sunset Crown pack with a monocular in my hands to count the pack warriors guarding each wing of the borders of this pack. After a careful investigation, tonight was the night I was going to secretly infiltrate this pack to confir