VALERIE.
Life has changed a lot and with time, the pain becomes bearable. I lost the man I loved, yet I am still bound to the man who killed him.
A man who somehow always makes me curious about what goes on within his mind. Itâs been five years, yet he has not once spoken a word, almost as if heâs taken a vow of silence.
Cara was exiled from the pack when her sentence was over, like Annalise, but Zade? He still remains in prison⦠his sentence will be completed when I deem it fulfilled. A decision Sebastian had decided to leave to me when he himself wanted to tear him apart.
Itâs been on my mind, yet despite no pressure from anyone, Iâm not sure what to doâ¦
I had told Zaia to make the decision, or even Sebastian, but both said it was my call and stuck by it.
No one knows that, but⦠knowing that itâs in my hands, I feel conflicted. Deep down I feel heâs served his sentence but at the same time, Iâm not sure⦠Not sure if one can ever serve enough time for taking someoneâs life, but he has behaved in the last five years.
He wonât eat or let anyone administer the vitamin serum. Yet, when I go down there, he remains still allowing me to do what I need to⦠Simply watching me⦠everyone knew it⦠knew that he would only behave for me even if they didnât know that we are matesâ¦
For the last few months, Iâve wondered about it more so⦠but now, seeing Zaia happy with Sebastian, Iâm taking it as a sign that itâs time to move on from the past too.
âAre you ok, Val?â Zaia asks as she tugs free from Sebastian, who is clearly ready to fuck her right here if he could. Iâm happy theyâre together again because they have always loved only one another.
âIâm fine,â I say, smiling at her, but she tilts her head, knowing me better than that.
âTalk to me, if you like.â She says gently, I love how she always respects my boundaries.
âItâs about Zade,â I admit, turning the heat beneath the grilled chicken strips to low.
âWhat is it?â she asks with concern, a wave of sadness clouding her eyes.
I stare at the blue flame, frowning slightly.
âI think we should let him out, let him leave the pack⦠even if that means under curfew or whatever,â I say quietly. âI donât want to have to watch him any longer. I want him gone.â
Sebastian pauses, and I know heâs listening as he turns back to face us.
âDespite what heâs done, he did stand down and has remained in prison for the last five years. I want to move on too. I donât want to have to visit him every few days to make sure he lives.â I say quietly, there were times I never visited him, and when he fell unconscious, someone would give him the nutrition he needed but I hated seeing him in that state, although he is a killer, Iâm nothing like him and I have compassion even for those who donât deserve it.
âI think itâs a good decision. Heâs behaved, and maybe he can go somewhere where he can try to find a purpose in life,â Zaia says with a small smile.
Iâm glad sheâs reassuring me and not just because I said it, this makes me feel betterâ¦
I nod, and she hugs me tightly. I close my eyes, hugging her back. Iâm grateful for both her and Atticus.
Theyâve both always been there for me.
Jai⦠if you were here, I know youâd be in agreement with me, because you were always forgiving, no matter what someone did, you always gave them chances⦠always saw the best in people, even when I didnât think some people had any good in them, you didâ¦
Iâm doing the right thing, right Jai?
A sudden sharp wind blows, swirling around me, and I freeze, pulling away from Zaia as I look up at the sky. The glowing moon shines down on me and I stand there frozen as the wind stills.
I suddenly smile and nod.
Yes. I am doing the right thingâ¦.
C +15 BONUS