Valerie’s POV
I didn’t stop walking until I reached my room.
Even then, I didn’t go inside imdiately.
My hand rested on the doorknob, but I just stood there... staring at nothing.
Breathing.
Trying to steady the storm raging inside .
It was strange.
When I had been a slave in this pack, life had been simple.
Painful, but simple.
I knew my place.
I knew my limits.
I knew what to expect.
But now...
Now everything was chaos.
My chest tightened.
"You’re mine."
His words echoed again, low and absolute.
I clenched my jaw.
"No," I whispered to myself, pushing the door open and stepping inside. "I’m not."
The door clicked shut behind .
The sound felt louder than it should have.
It also made feel lonelier.
I leaned back against it, closing my eyes.
Why did it hurt?
That was the part I didn’t understand.
Mike had always been like this.
Cold.
Dominant.
Unreasonable.
So why did it feel different now?
Why did it feel like sothing inside had cracked open... just to be stepped on?
I let out a shaky breath and pushed myself away from the door.
The room felt colder than before.
Or maybe it was just .
I walked to the bed slowly, sitting on the edge as my fingers tightened around the sheets.
My mind betrayed .
Again.
Replaying everything.
His touch.
His voice.
The way he had looked at .
And worst of all....
The way I had reacted.
I pressed my hands to my face.
"What is wrong with ...?"
I had almost begged him.
Begged.
The sa man who had watched suffer and also participated.
The sa man who had allowed others to treat like I was nothing.
The sa man who still shared another woman’s bed.
My stomach twisted violently.
Innocent.
Her na alone left a bitter taste in my mouth.
She had always been untouchable.
Perfect.
Respected.
Everything I wasn’t.
Even when I beca Luna, nothing truly changed.
Not in their eyes.
Not in hers.
And maybe...
Not in his either.
A hollow laugh escaped .
"Nothing," I murmured. "That’s what I am."
The word settled heavily in my chest.
Just like he said.
I lay back slowly, staring at the ceiling.
I couldn’t understand why I was letting myself sink back into this pain.
I had already left that kind of life when I stopped being a slave.
I had already salvaged my dignity and had even started building sothing for myself.
I had started gaining authority in the pack.
So, why did one occasion of almost having sex with Mike send back to that misery?
Why did it open the old wounds for them to bleed all over ?
I needed to sleep.
But my body refused to rest.
Because no matter how much I tried to deny it.
What hurt the most...
Wasn’t what he said.
It was what I felt.
Mike’s POV
I didn’t go back into Innocent’s room or mine.
Even after Valerie left.
Even after the silence settled heavily between us.
I just stood there.
Staring at the empty hallway.
My jaw clenched tightly.
"What’s wrong?" Innocent’s voice ca from behind , softer now.
I didn’t answer.
Because I didn’t have one.
Or maybe...
I had too many.
"You’re letting her get to you," she said calmly.
How could she say that so calmly?
I was letting her get to ?
She has never had a mate before, so of course she didn’t understand that feeling.
The feeling of wanting soone so much you felt as if both your heart and body would explode.
And when Valerie refused , it hurt my soul.
Because I couldn’t tell whether she really wasn’t ready or was interested in soone else.
What Innocent said made sothing snap.
I turned sharply, my eyes locking onto hers.
"I’m not."
She raised her brow slightly.
"You didn’t co to tonight," she pointed out.
"I told you why."
"And I told you I don’t believe you."
She stepped closer, her gaze searching mine.
"You’ve changed," she said again.
Her voice wasn’t teasing this ti.
It was serious.
I looked away.
"I haven’t."
"You have," she insisted quietly. "And it’s because of her."
My hands curled into fists.
"Stop."
"Why?" she challenged. "Does it bother you to hear it?"
Why couldn’t she understand ?
Where is the Innocent who never asked questions?
She is not my mate, and as the alpha, I feel no obligation to explain myself to her.
"Yes."
The answer ca out faster than I expected.
Even I was surprised.
So was she.
For a mont, Innocent just stared at .
Then slowly...
A smile spread across her lips.
It wasn’t her usual soft, sweet smile. But a cold and calculating one.
I thought I was hallucinating because Innocent is a kind girl who would never have that kind of expression.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
"This is pointless."
"Is it?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Then go to her."
My steps paused.
"What?"
"If you’re going to stand there thinking about her anyway," she continued calmly, "you might as well go."
My jaw tightened.
"I’m not thinking about her."
Another lie.
And we both knew it.
Innocent laughed softly.
"You’re terrible at lying."
Of course I am a terrible liar. Because all my life I never had the need to lie to anyone.
If I wanted sothing as the future alpha, I could just get it. No need to lie to achieve my goal.
But when it ca to Valerie, things seem to change.
I am torn between wanting to hurt her and protect her.
It was a feeling I couldn’t understand.
I didn’t respond.
Because there was nothing to say.
She studied for a mont longer before stepping back.
"Go," she said simply.
"I didn’t say I was..."
"Mike."
Her voice stopped .
I looked at her again.
She didn’t look as playful as before or a tease like she usually does.
She wore a distant look I have never seen before.
"Don’t co to just because it’s easy," she said quietly. "I’m not your escape."
The words hit harder than expected.
"I never said you were."
"You didn’t have to."
Silence fell again.
Then she turned away.
Walking back into the room without another word.
And closing the door behind her.
Leaving alone in the hallway.
It was the first ti Innocent had ignored .
I stood there for a long ti.
My chest felt... tight and uncomfortable.
I hated this feeling.
This lack of control.
This... confusion.
I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly.
Finally, I turned.
And started walking.
Not toward my room.
But toward hers.
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