Chapter 40 - Assurance

Natasha's POV

"It's late."

Valerian's voice filled my ears as I entered the kitchen.

The whole place is slightly dim that it was almost eerie if it weren't for the glow of the moon cursing through the kitchen windows.

Knowing that the moon is illuminating the mansion; being in the dark with the devil doesn't scare me as much.

"It's late, Natasha," he repeated.

I halted.

I wanted to say that the sun had just set and it was not late but I stopped myself because he sounded so cold and authoritative.

I wanted to turn my back on him and go out of the kitchen again but I gathered all my courage and stood up firmly.

"Sit," Valerian said curtly.

I took a breath and walked towards the dining table.

I sat on the chair opposite from where he was sitting.

The moment I was sat in front of him, my heartbeat became slow and steady.

I felt peaceful.

As much as I hate to admit it, Valerian has the ability to calm my nerves down by just being in silence with him, solely because we are mates.

Valerian's fingers are clasped and placed on the top of the table between us.

He has a hard expression on. His forehead was creased.

He looked so serious.

"I got too caught up with talking and sharing stories with Elyse that I didn't notice the time," I told Valerian instead of justifying the time and saying that the sun had just set.

"What did you two talk about?" he questioned.

I didn't think Valerian would be interested to know what me and Elyse talk about but I quickly thought of what to answer to him.

"You know, about girls' things." I shrugged my shoulders. "All the things that make us feel like a woman.

I bit my tongue as soon as I finished uttering a lie.

Valerian looked at me directly with his hot stares and intense eyes. "Does talking about me makes you feel like a woman, Natasha?"

I bit the insides of my cheeks.

"Was your conversation about me with Elyse was so interesting that you came home late?" he added.

"It's not late," I spoke, finally losing my patience. "And it's not like Elyse didn't tell you where we were going back at your office."

What is wrong with him?

Is this part of his 'I own you' mantra?

He's being so immature right now. I only hang out with his sister and it's not like he didn't know about it.

And it amazes me how his treatment can change from time to time. Like as if he was not being sweet and caring towards me earlier and the past 3 days; and now he's being like this.

The arrogant devil that he is.

"Answer my question," Valerian demanded.

I repeatedly cursed inside my mind.

I tried to ignore what he said and tried to divert the topic but of course, it's Valerian. He won't stop until he gets what he wants.

"I only ask Elyse a few questions," I answered.

Valerian slightly raised his eyebrows at me. "About me?"

"How did you even know about that? Did Elyse tell you?" I asked although I doubt that Elyse said anything to him.

"No." Valerian looked at me, amused. "Do you assume I would not know everything?"

I remember the reason why the first thing that I did the moment I entered his mansion was to find him.

I want to know something; I want to confront him, and him opening this topic-- I can use this for my own gain.

"What? I just asked her things about you. Is that wrong? Prohibited?"

"I want to know why, Natasha."

"I just want to know you better," I answered.

"You can just directly ask me about the things that I can do," he retorted.

Does he know every detail that me and Elyse talked about? Can't I have my privacy now too?

I swallowed as I stared directly at Valerian's intense eyes.

We stared into each other deeply. Like staring at each other's souls.

I endured his piercing stares.

"I have this friend. . ."I started. "She came to town to search for me, but she could not find me. If it weren't for destiny letting us meet, we would have not seen each other."

"The things is. . ." I place my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my palm. "Werewolves can find anyone from their pack easily but for some unknown reason, she couldn't."

Valerian was completely silent but his full attention was on me. He was not saying anything and was just listening and staring at me.

"Do you have anything to do with it?" I questioned as I leaned back on my chair and place my hands on my lap.

"What do you think, Natasha?"

I balled my fist upon hearing what Valerian just said.

I don't know what kind of answer I was expecting and I don't know what I want to hear but answering me like that is like torturing me.

I felt my fingernails dug into my palm.

"Tell me, Valerian."

If it weren't for the ring that I was wearing, I would have turned into a werewolf minutes ago. It's a full moon and I'm feeling intense emotions.

"Is that why you asked Elyse about my abilities?" he questioned back. "To know if I did that?"

"Answer me," I repeated, firmly.

"Did you not get the info and satisfaction from Elyse's answers and you--"

"Answer me!" I slammed the table.

"You will not talk to me that way, in that tone, woman." Valerian looked at me, gone were his intense and piercing stares.

To my surprise, he sounded calm and gentle. Opposite of my sudden outburst.

But, I shook it off. He is surely just deceiving me with his calm and composed demeanor because, with my tone and the way I acted, I would be pinned to the wall and gagging.

He's probably just deceiving me.

I stood up from my seat and walked towards Valerian.

"Tell me honestly." Because he was still sitting on his chair, I looked down at him as I stood in front of him. "Did you have something to do with that?"

Valerian didn't answer.

He remained silent and just continued staring at me.

I scoffed as I quickly removed my ring and didn't waste any more time; I jumped towards Valerian as I shift into my real form-- a werewolf.

I growled and gritted my teeth at him as I pinned him down on the floor.

I was slightly taken aback upon seeing Valerian's reaction, and for a second I calmed down.

I was expecting for him to be angry at me but his expression shows the exact opposite. I thought he was going to be so angry at me but he was rather. . . calm.

"Get off me, Natasha."

I flinched when he caressed my cheeks-- running his fingers softly through my fur.

"Get off me and I will tell you."

Valerian's touch was enough to calm me down that I obeyed him.

I got off of him and went back to my human form.

I quickly picked up my ring from the floor and wore it again.

Valerian got on his feet and sat on his chair again.

"Sit down," he ordered.

I followed him and went back to my chair to sit.

"I have nothing to do with what happened," he spoke. "I didn't even know you have friends."

I looked at him directly in the eyes.

"Is that true?"

"It is the truth, Natasha."

I felt like a huge thorn was removed from my chest.

I was suddenly calmed.

Valerian stood up from his chair and walked towards me.

He stood in front of me just like how I stood in front of him earlier.

"I did not do that," he said. "I am a man of my word. We had a deal. I would not do anything like that."

Hearing Valerian utter those words, I was reassured.

For some reason, I was relieved.

"I do not have much information about you or where you're from for me to be able to do that," he added as he cupped my cheeks. "All I know is that you're my mate and I will die if I lose you."