Chapter-2
Valerie's POV
"Miss Valerie?" I heard an unfamiliar voice as I walked out of the school, and I stopped.
Judging from the uniform he was wearing, it was clear he was a member of the werewolf council.
"That would be me. How can I help you?" I asked, and he looked at me observantly, making me do the same.
The man in front of me was around 6'2" and finely built. His muscles almost looked like they were trying to rip his shirt. With his blue eyes looking at me as if trying to pierce my soul and blonde hair, he almost looked like a Disney prince.
"Yes?" I asked again when he didn't say anything for a good few seconds.
"Finally," he sighed before jumping on me, and I nearly stumbled back, defenseless.
Was he attacking me or hugging me?
No! He was crushing my bones.
"Oomphhff!" I murmured with great difficulty, and he chuckled awkwardly before stepping back.
"I am sorry. I was just so excited to see you," The guy said, and I looked at him suspiciously.
Turning around, I looked at the forest in confusion. I needed a few seconds to think.
He said he was excited to see me. But I don't even know who he was. What if this was some other pack's plan to get to our pack? But I would be the last person they would want to attack. So what the hell was going on?
"A little introduction would be helpful," I turned to look at the guy, who immediately went back to all smiles.
"I am Logan. Logan Jefferson," His words made me squint my brows.
"That's the name of the council head's son," I uttered.
"Yes, Logan Jefferson, at your mercy, I mean, service, mam," he bowed to me gentlemanly, and I shook my head.
"You are not Logan,"
"Sorry?" He looked at me with raised eyes as if shocked by my words.
Well, I am not falling for this trick, Mr. Scammer.
"You heard me. Stop tricking me. Who are you? Answer me before I scream and call the alpha," I crossed my arms around my chest.
"Valerie, I am Logan. Believe me. I would know who I am," He said again, and I shook my head.
"I have met Logan, and he looks nothing like you," I said.
"Logan," I heard the familiar husky voice that made me weak in my knees, and I gulped, my heartbeat increasing at his presence.
"Damian Carter," the guy in front of me nodded at Damian and - wait. Damian called him Logan?
If he was Logan, who was the person I met at almost every council meeting?
"Well, now you believe me after he said who I am?" Logan took a step ahead, towering over my form, and I looked into his blue eyes, which held an expression I have never seen in anyone's eyes, at least not for me.
Respect, adoration, and what was that?
I blinked when he ruffled my hair. His scent was comforting. Like family.
"Don't touch her like that," Damian growled before he grabbed my hand and pulled me away, making me stumble back in his arms, and I widened my eyes.
What in the freaking world did happen just now?
Did Damian just pull me possessively? Am I dreaming? I pinched my cheeks before looking at the man glaring back at Logan.
"Haha, don't get your pants on fire, Alpha Damian. I am not taking her away. At least for now," Logan grinned, which I must say wasn't the best thing to say when Damian was seething with anger.
I could feel his chest heaving against my back. And it was one of the best feelings in the world.
"I just came here to give this to her on behalf of the council," Logan said before he stepped towards us, making me look like a potato stuffing between two large pieces of bread.
What was with people hovering over me? I was a good 5'9", but they still looked humongous.
"Happy birthday, princess," Logan grabbed my hand before placing the gift in my palm.
"Thank you. This wasn't needed, though,"
"I know, but you deserve the best," Logan smiled at me.
"And, the man you might be thinking about, or should I say, who pretended to be me, was my assistant. I had asked him to keep a tab on you to ensure no one bullies you," Logan's gaze shifted to Damian.
"And maybe that's why he pretended to be me. So that you feel comfortable. However, now I am here, I will see to it that you are safe, myself," Logan sighed.
"I wish I could stay, but you have a birthday to celebrate, and Alpha Damian has a pack to handle. Congratulations on becoming the alpha. We will meet soon," Logan bent to my eye level before he flicked my nose playfully.
Seeing the back of the leaving man, whose attitude has been the most mysterious towards me, I looked at the gift in my hand.
What was this all about? Was he treating me well because I was one of the special werewolves in the world who had a condition?
"You seem happy," Damian commented, and I came back to my senses as heat crept up my neck, remembering how close we were standing.
"I am more startled than happy. He came like a gust of wind and left like a soothing breeze. This is the first time someone who doesn't know me didn't turn his gaze at my sight and talked to me even after knowing my situation," I pressed my lips into a thin line, not liking how depressed I sounded to myself.
"So? Don't tell me you have fallen for him," Damian scoffed before he turned me around forcefully, grabbing my chin in a steel grip.
"Have you?" He asked, his anger confusing me.
"Of course not. What is wrong with you? If Beatrice saw this -" She would blame and hate me again. She would curse me again.
I didn't complete my sentence, but it was enough for Damian to leave my chin.
"I am sorry. It's just - never mind," Damian turned around and left, making me sigh and turn to the school when I felt a glare on my back.
Seeing my sister standing on the stairs, staring right back at me, I gritted my teeth before running into the forest.
'Logan is a nice guy. His wolf is sweet too. He comforted me,' my wolf said out of the blue, and I rolled my eyes.
'Damn, I had a good image of him, and now everything is ruined. What did he comfort you for? For not showing up for your human? For ruining my life? Or wait, was it for being a useless wolf?' I scoffed, and receiving the silence from the other side, I bit my lips before punching a tree angrily.
Damn it! I was being too much now. Why do I always hurt the only person who has been with me through thick and thin? I sighed guiltily before punching the tree again and again.
'Valerie! Don't hurt yourself -'
"I am sorry. You are the only person with me in this, and I always curse you like this. I don't intend to hurt you, but -" I leaned on the tree helplessly.
'Hey, don't be upset. We will turn eighteen in a couple of hours. Aren't you excited? Don't spoil your mood,' my wolf tried to cheer me up, and I sighed before walking to the one place I always find peace.
The lake. It was a playground for my dad and me when I was five years old. It was all before I got cursed, or that’s what I have heard.
Closing my eyes, I lay on the ground, the chirping of birds acting like soft music as I let sleep take over me.
'Hey! Wake up, Valerie! It's him! Our mate!' I heard my Wolf's voice, and I opened my eyes gently, the smell catching me off guard.
Our mate? I had never thought of finding my mate, let alone being lucky enough to meet him on my eighteenth birthday and in my pack. Who could it be?
Smelling the familiar intoxicating scent of cinnamon and woods, I ran in the direction from where the smell was coming, entering the pack house in search of him.
"Tell me you love me," I heard a faint voice, but my mind was too focused on finding my mate.
There were 100 people around here. Which direction to take? I started checking the rooms one by one to see where the smell was coming from. It was somewhere on the second floor.
'Mate! He is here!' My wolf shouted excitedly, and I paused in front of the room, squinting my brows.
Guest room?
"I love you, Beatrice," I heard as soon as I opened the door, and I felt the world crashing in front of me when I saw my sister kissing the one person who was meant for me.
Feeling the ground slipping from under my feet, I gulped before leaning on the door, making the vase fall and the couple finally looking at me.
"Valerie?"