Chapter 12: Chapter 12

VALERY

As Alvarius stands at the window, I take in his form. His tall, muscular frame is stooped, like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I’m doing that to him. I don’t mean to. It’s just so much to process!

He clears his throat. “To reject your mate, there’s a little ritual. It has to be formal. You have to say that you, your full name, reject me as your mate. My full name is Alvarius Deogee.”

I jump up from the couch and rush over to him, throwing my arms around him. I cover his trembling lips with my own, gaining a surprised reaction, but he soon puts his arms around my waist and pulls me closer, deepening our kiss. As he pulls away, he searches my eyes, confused.

I smile. “This is all pretty insane, but I don’t want to reject you. As crazy as it sounds, I… I love you. It’s just all so overwhelming. But I want to be with you, no matter who or what you are.”

He pulls me into a hug and holds me tightly, as if I will disappear once he releases me and I hug him back. Then something occurs to me, and I start to giggle.

Alvarius pulls away from me, and the look on his face reminds me so much of a small lost puppy that I laugh harder. “De-o-gee. Your last name is DOG?” I double over while wiping tears from my eyes. “That’s so appropriate!” By now, I’m howling with laughter, and Alvarius is laughing as well.

“It’s Deogee,” he says with mock authority while trying to tame a smile that threatens to break through.

“I love it,” I say. “Honestly.”

He takes me into his arms. “And I love you.” His words sober me quickly, and I look into his serious eyes. “I mean it. You are my everything. I love you, Valery.”

“I love you too.” And I do. I don’t know how it’s possible in such a short time, but it’s as if my whole life has been leading up to this point, to this man.

“Are you sure about this?” he asks. “Those wolves… They’re after you to weaken me, to prevent me from having my luna. They know any enhanced abilities you receive would help our pack, make it stronger. Your life is—”

I shake my head and pull away from him. “Yes, Alvarius. I am sure. I want to be with you. I don’t know how great I’ll be as a luna, but I’ll try my best to learn everything I need to know.”

He smiles and trails his lips over my faded mark. “You’re already perfect just the way you are.”

A knock on the door interrupts our moment, and we both look at it. My hands fist the fabric of his shirt, and my heart speeds up. I look up at Alvarius, and his eyes seem a little distant before he looks at me and smiles reassuringly.

“That’s just some of my wolves. They’re here to repair the broken door and window.”

My eyes widen as he saunters to the door, and I rush after him. I grab his hand before he has a chance to open it. “Wait! How do you know?”

He turns toward me and kisses my forehead. “We have something called mind-links. We can communicate with each other telepathically. You’ll understand it once I mark you.”

I blush at his words but nod. I still don’t know what it means to be marked, but my heart is beating in my chest violently as he opens the door and greets the man standing on the other side of it.

“Valery, this is Sam, my beta.”

The man bows to me. “I’m happy to see you are doing well, Miss Valery.”

I smile and bow lightly too. “Please, just call me Valery. And thank you for saving me yesterday—or earlier today.”

He straightens up and nods with a smile before waving over a few other people. They all troop inside with various tools, a new window, and a new door.

While the members of Alvarius’s pack take care of the damage, I prepare some drinks and snacks for them and invite them to stay for a little break after their work is done.

All of them are really nice. We joke and laugh as they make the repairs, and I smile as I think about becoming a part of this family. I’m amazed at how polite and respectful they all are too. I say as much to Alvarius, and he kisses my cheek before whispering in my ear, “That’s because you’re their luna.”

After some time, they leave and Alvarius heads outside with Sam, saying he needs to discuss something. I decide to clean up, but there’s not much to do. Everyone has picked up after themselves. There are only a few glasses on the counter to take care of and putting some chairs back where they belong.

Their voices alert me that they’re back inside, and I walk into the living room to find Alvarius and Sam standing just inside the front door.

“Valery, because of everything that has happened, we don’t think it’s safe for you to be alone. So, from now on, Sam will accompany you whenever you head out.”

I frown and look at them. “To school too?”

He nods and I frown more.

Sam takes a step forward. “I’m sorry, Lu—Valery. But I won’t get in your way. I’ll just stay outside, making sure nothing suspicious is going on.”

I sigh and nod. Alvarius smiles at me, and I share my schedule for the upcoming week with Sam as well as exchange phone numbers. That whole mind-link thing sure would be convenient right now.

After we’re done, Sam bows to me. “See you tomorrow then, Valery.” He turns to Alvarius. “Alpha.”

I give him a friendly wave as he departs, then redirect my focus to Alvarius. “I still have to take care of my homework.”

He smiles and kisses my forehead. “Go ahead. I’ll prepare dinner. It’s already pretty late.”

Luckily, the courses I’m taking in veterinary medicine this semester are ones I haven’t been having difficulty with. Last semester, two of my classes were grueling. The tasks I have to finish don’t take too long, and I spend some time reviewing my notes as well.

Alvarius comes up behind me and kisses the top of my head. “Can you take a break for dinner?”

I take a look at the clock on the wall. Two hours have gone by already. Sighing, I stretch and close my book. “I’m done for tonight,” I say as I take his hand and he leads me into the kitchen.

Once we’re seated and have had a few bites, Alvarius puts down his fork. “I’d like you to learn how to protect yourself.”

I tilt my head as I chew, and he continues. “Sam is my best warrior. He’s in charge of the daily training. I’m going to take over for now, but I asked him to teach you some basics while he’s guarding you if you’re willing to give it a try.

I nod, not even having to think about it. “Yes, please. After all that has happened, that’s one thing I’m definitely willing to try. I could spare some time after school for it.”

He smiles and nods. “Great. Thanks.”

***

We wake up early and prepare to leave for the day, heading out after breakfast. Sam greets us outside.

“Good morning. Ready to go, Valery?”

I nod and shyly hug Alvarius. He pulls me closer and places a kiss on my neck, making me shiver. He does something with his hands, and I feel something cold on my neck and look down to see a slim silver necklace with a shining white flower.

“That’s a moonflower. It’s a tradition in my pack to give your mate jewelry with this flower when one is accepted… Do you like it?”

I trace the flower with my fingers and smile at him. “I love it. Thank you.”

He kisses me, and when our tongues touch, he growls low in his throat. “See you later, kitten.”

He turns around and walks toward the forest as I walk toward school with Sam, a smile on my face.

“Alvarius said I should learn some self-defense,” I say as we walk.

Sam nods. “Yes. He asked me to teach you a little. We can train whenever you want, but don’t stress yourself over it. He told me how much you work physically.”

I smile, realizing Alvarius wasn’t kidding when he said he had been watching me.

“Today will be fine if it’s a little. I only have theory classes.”

Sam nods and tells me a few things about self-defense until we arrive at the campus, where he bows to me. “As I promised, I’m going to wait here. If there’s anything that seems weird or makes you feel uncomfortable, text me or call my name. I’ll hear. All right?”

I nod, biting the inside of my cheek, and he grins. “Don’t worry, I’m sure nothing will happen. It’s just a precaution.”

I smile a little and nod before heading inside.

The day goes well, and the entire week goes just as smoothly. Sam teaches me some skills when I have some free time, and with the upcoming weekend, I’ll have two weeks free for fall break. Alvarius told me he wants me to come to his pack house over that time so I can train with his warriors. All I can hope is that I won’t embarrass myself.

“Valery? You listening?”

I snap out of my thoughts and look at Mr. Lamberg. A classmate has called off sick, so he’s helping me in the stables. “C’mon. You’re almost done. This is the last stable to clean and then we’re free!”

I smile at him apologetically. “Sorry, I was in thought. What did you say?”

He chuckles and nods his head to the hay. “Can you feed them? I’m just gonna clean off this stuff, and then we’re done.”

I nod and smile. “Sure. I’m on it.”

He nods and leaves as I portion the hay and feed it to the sheep.

I’m just finishing when he calls out to me. I look over at him and see him bending to the ground.

“Hey, Valery, is this your—ow!”

He picks something up but curses almost immediately, letting the object fall to the ground. Cursing again, he holds his hand. I rush over to him.

“What happened?” I reach for his hand, but he pulls it away from me, his face twisted in pain. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Is that yours?” He nods to the ground and I follow his gaze to my necklace.

My hand comes up to my neck. “How did I lose it?” I pick it up and look at it. A link in the chain is broken. It must have happened when I got my hair tangled in the pitchfork earlier.

“Oh, no.” Tears build up in my eyes. If Mr. Lamberg hadn’t found this, I would have been looking all over for it. And what would I have told Alvarius? I hold it to my chest.

“Hey, I’m pretty sure it can be repaired.” Mr. Lamberg rubs my shoulder comfortingly, even though it’s obvious he’s still in pain.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I smile. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He nods before nudging my shoulder playfully. “Gift from your boyfriend, huh?”

I blush and avert my gaze. “Kinda, yeah.”

He smirks and dips his head toward the locker rooms. “C’mon. Let’s get going.”

I nod and head after him. Before he steps into the men’s locker room, he stops me. “Ah, wait a second here.”

I tilt my head as he rushes inside, leaving the door open, and opens his locker. After some searching through his bag, his eyes light up. “Aha. Here it is.” He comes back to the door and holds out a little pouch. “Here. That’s for your necklace, so you don’t lose it again.”

I take it with a smile. “Thanks, Mr. Lamberg.”

He smiles back. “All right then. See ya. Make sure to tell the alpha to get that fixed.” He winks at me when he sees my eyes widen and then shuts the door between us.

Three days ago, I learned werewolves existed. Now, I know a handful of them. How many werewolves are around here?

But how did Mr. Lamberg know I’m with Alvarius? And is he in Alvarius’s pack or is he one of the rivals? I look around to see no one in the locker room with me. The whole campus has been steadily emptying all day with the impending break, and that makes me nervous.

Hurrying, I change and put the little pouch into a side pocket on my bag. I text Sam to let him know I’m on my way and then jog out to meet him.