VALERIE.
Zaia has made her decision.
It wasn’t what I expected or wanted for them, but just the way she respected and had my back when it came to Jai, I will do the same. It’s been three days since and she’s handed the title back
to Sebastian.
I’ve chosen to remain here. I know it’s what Jai
would have wanted me to do, help rebuild this
pack and its homes.
The people here would need me too, especially
those who lost loved ones. Zaia will move back
to The Crystal Shadow Pack, with the rogue pack being hers she planned to make good use
of the lands.
Those rogues who were innocent enough were assigned into packs, and some who wanted to leave were allowed to do so of their own free
will.
A few who seemed pretty unhinged were put in
isolation for questioning and imprisonment, if need be, including the few who had refused to
stand down.
Most of Gerard’s men were captured, and although some killed themselves rather than let themselves be caught, a few were still put into
imprisonment.
Talking about imprisonment, Sebastian wanted
to give Annalise a proper sentencing, but Zaia
had said having her exiled and banishment from any pack in this state was more fitting.
So, after her baby’s birth, she would have to leave, but there was a catch. She would have to
wear a tracker for the next three years and would have to report bi-weekly.
Then there was Cara… well, Sebastian had her
locked up for coercing someone into sex when
they were not of sound mind and also for
working with the enemy. She will spend a minimum of five years in imprisonment and if she’s lucky, she might just get to walk away
after that.
Turns out she was the illegitimate daughter of
Rufus Santoni, someone who had embezzled money from the Toussaint Enterprise many
years ago. Well, the apple sure didn’t fall far
from the tree.
The car stops and I see Atticus walk over and
open the door for me before I can. To think once I found him annoying, I now feel like a lucky girl
to have a brother like him.
“Welcome to our pack, Val,” he says, hugging
I hug him back. “Thanks. It sure feels weird visiting now.” I chuckle.
“Well, I hope this will be a visit you truly
enjoy,” he says. Stepping back, he turns to the two women standing there. The previous Luna, Shelby, his mother and his sister Linette.
Both women are watching me. Shelby is
smiling, and Linette simply looks observant. Something tells me she won’t like me so much.1
“Mom, Linette, this is Valerie,” Atticus
introduces me as I step closer and offer Shelby my hand.
“Valerie! Welcome to The Whispering Mountain Pack!” she exclaims, enveloping me in a
powerful hug.
“Thank you, Ms Payne,” I reply, slowly pulling away from her iron grip with a smile. “Linette. Hello.” I offer her my hand, which she takes and
smiles.
“Hi, just to let you know, I’m his favourite
sister.” 1
I can’t help but laugh at that. “I’ll remember,” I
promise with a chuckle.
I look at Atticus, who is smirking in amusement
as he watches us.
But I don’t need to be his favourite. What he has
done for me is more than I could have hoped for, and he has been there through the rough times.
I truly appreciate him, and I hope one day soon
he’ll find a woman who will love him with all
her heart.
“Well, I can have more than one favourite, can’t I?” Atticus teases before he puts an arm around both of us, making Linette smile.
“Ok fine, but I’m the better favourite.” Linette
persists.
“I’m cool with that,” I reply before Atticus can
answer.
She smiles at me and although it doesn’t mean
much to me, to her, that title does.
Maybe she felt threatened by me? I’m not sure, but if her wanting the title of favourite would help our relationship, I am fine with that.
“Ok, enough of this silliness, come let’s go inside. I have prepared plenty of delicious
dishes.” Shelby says, shaking her head at her、
daughter.
“You or the cook?” Atticus asks, cocking a brow.
Linette snickers and I hide a smile as Shelby pouts. “Well, it’s the same thing!” she scolds
him.
I think I’m going to like this family. Speaking
of, I did talk to Dad about everything, and he was pretty much honest with me, I just wish
they had told me earlier…
“Anyway, Valerie, Atticus tells me you are a doctor, so are you like a doctor, doctor? Fully qualified?” Shelby asks me.
“Yes, fully qualified and definitely a doctor,
doctor,” I answer with a smile.
“I told you that, Mom,” Atticus adds.
“I’m making conversation. Shush you.” Shelby counters, waving her hand.
I chuckle as I look at Atticus, who is almost
pouting and I feel light. Even when we are faced with pain and tragedy, there are moments that lift that burden, and this is one of those.
“Thank you.’
Atticus looks down at me, that trademark smirk
on his face.
‘No need to thank me. That’s what brothers are
for.’
I don’t respond, but I don’t think he realises
that not all brothers are… just like Zade.
He is nothing to Zaia like Atticus is to me…
(FLASHBACK – TWO DAYS AGO)
“Doctor, he isn’t eating.” One of the men says holding out none other than Zade Toussaint’s
file card.
I purse my lips, refusing to let my emotions
take over.
“Then let him continue to starve,” I reply,
turning away.
“Doctor…”
I close my eyes, not wanting to bother with the one who killed Jai, but a doctor’s duty is to heal
all.
“I’ll be there later tonight or tomorrow,” I
reply curtly before walking away.
Night had fallen, but I had not gone to check on
Zade even though I had the time. Who cares if he dies of starvation? I throw the bag I’m holding
to the ground angrily.
He does nothing but invoke rage and hatred
within me. I have never hated someone so deeply and passionately as I do Zade. Why did Jai have to die?! Why not Zade?!
Why did the Goddess do this?!
I fall to my knees, my heart breaking all over
again. I sit there, trying to control the pain in my chest.
Jai… I didn’t deserve your love…
His blue eyes and his smile come to my mind, making tears burn my eyes.
I don’t know how much time passes before I stand up. Deciding to get this over with and grabbing my coat, I head towards the prison facility.
I flash my badge before I am allowed in.
“Are you here to see prisoner 186?” The Head
Guard asks.
I nod, and he leads us through. Zade’s prison isn’t like Gerard’s, nor is it like the one any other prisoner is kept in. It is a cage surrounded by electric wires. Anyone who tries to step through it would be instantly dead, werewolf or
not. 1
There, in the middle, slumped in the chair,
bound with chains, his head hanging back, is
Zade.
His body is pure muscle, every ridge and every groove of his abs is carved deep. Chiselled to perfection, but he is far from perfect.
I’m not sure if he’s even awake as he remains
unmoving and only when the door is unlocked,
and I’m allowed in, do I realise he’s awake.
“If you don’t eat, it shows how much of a coward you are. You wouldn’t be serving your punishment if you died so soon, right?” I say, coldly, staring down at the man in the chair. He
slowly raises his head and cocks a brow, but like always, he says nothing.
He simply stares at me, his face unreadable, his pale eye creeping me out, and I quickly take out the injection of vital vitamins that would keep him alive even if he is not hungry.
I don’t like the way those eyes are watching me, and my heart begins racing as I approach him.
Stop looking at me!
He blinks almost as if he can sense my rage as I jab the syringe into his neck, in the most tender spot, but he doesn’t flinch, simply continuing to
observe me. 1
My heart clenches. I hate this… I hate seeing
him.
I back away from him, but his eyes don’t leave
I turn, stepping out of the cell, but even
then, those eyes follow me… 8
(END OF FLASHBACK)
I push the painful thought away, not wanting to think of the man who did not accept my rejection. The monster who is my mate.
“Oh, this does smell good,” Atticus says, drawing me from my dark train of thoughts, and those dark thoughts of mine are not for
today…