Chapter 22

Valerie.

I woke up with a start, jerking off the bed in an instant. My eyes scanned the room in panic and I felt my shoulders slump as I discovered I was still in Lorenzo's room.

The room was chill. So chill I thought the air con must have been set at the lowest temperature.

The sheets fell off my body and I felt the cool air bite at my skin and I discovered I was naked underneath.

My eyes widened for a split second in confusion until the memories from the night before flooded into my head.

That feeling!

I felt my heart quicken as I recalled what I'd gone through. The only time I had seen something of the sort happen--which was mostly with females who were in heat.

That was a year ago, and it happened to my best friend, Jane. I couldn't understand what she was feeling at the moment but I knew she was only able to feel relief when her mate arrived.

I rubbed my arms as I recalled how bad it felt and how I badly wanted to be touched. Anything, just to relieve myself from the urge.

Humiliation burned my face as I also recalled Lorenzo giving me a cold bath. The pervert!

Sure enough, he wouldn't pass on an opportunity to see me naked. Inhaling deeply, I thought of a means to get away from his clutches. Which would only be easier if only I knew where he was keeping my Dad.

I couldn't be at peace with myself knowing he was probably being tortured somewhere. I do not in any way trust Lorenzo even if he should say he was safe.

Most importantly, I needed to get back with my life. I stood up on the bed, clutching at the sheets as I walked over to his wardrobe to get something to wear.

The dress from last night...

I paused, suddenly wondering how I had gotten it off me. Or, did he?

Shaking my head off the embarrassing thoughts, I quickly grabbed a white shirt amongst the various ones and put it on.

I was about to head out of the room when I caught a glimpse of something shiny on the sheets. I stopped, tilting my head to get a better view.

I walked to the bed only to discover it was a phone. Lorenzo's. My eyes glanced at the door as a thought formed in my head.

With the phone in hand, I walked quickly to the door and locked it shut.

Switching on the phone, a sigh of relief escaped my lips on discovering it didn't have a pin lock on it.

I dialed a number and let it ring. It rang for a few minutes until it hung. No response.

I was pacing around the room this time as I dialed for a second time, crossing my fingers and hoping there would be an answer.

"Hello," A voice sounded, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Oh my God, Jane," I breathed out in a low voice.

"Valerie? Is that you, Valerie?"

I felt tears well up in my eyes at her voice, "Yes, it's me, Jane. Listen, I need your help. I am held hostage in the Silver Moon Pack. He has my father and he's not letting me go. I need to get out of here, Jane. I need to... "

"Wait, Wait...what are you talking about, Valerie?" She asked in a concerned tone.

"First, where have you been? It's been days. Who ...who got you, and what are you doing over at the Silver Moon Pack?"

I sat on the bed, as I tried to calm my nerves, "I.. I can't explain. It's a long story, Jane. I..."

"Trust me, Valerie. You know I have all the time."

I let out a breath, as I glanced at the door, sincerely hoping he wouldn't burst into the room any moment now.

As quick and detailed as I could be, I filled Jane in on what had transpired. Everything, including the episode last night.

"I can't believe I would ever be in a situation like this, Jane. I need to leave."

She was quiet for some time, until she said, "How on earth?... Alpha Lorenzo of all...how did your Dad manage to get acquainted with him?" She stuttered.

"I don't know. I don't know, but the deed is done and I fucking need to get out of this place."

"Should I give you my honest opinion?" She asked.

"Not now, Jane," I interjected. Whenever she begins to sound like this, I knew I would definitely not like what it was, she had to say.

"No, hold on Val. I get the fact that your Father must have arranged a deal with Alpha Lorenzo," she enunciated his name slowly.

"But..." Her voice was low this time, "This is Alpha Lorenzi we are talking about. Tell me, what did he say? What does he really want from you?"

I ran a hand in my hair, "Jane, please. I'm being serious here."

"I know, I know, babes. But what exactly did he say he wanted with you?"

"He is a pervert, Jane. He wants me to be his plaything. His pet. Could you believe that?"

I heard Jane gasp, and then she replied, "Oh my God, Val. I...I don't mean to be insensitive right now, but I would gladly trade places with you at the moment."

"What?"

"Shit!" She chuckled, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Val, it's just..."

"Is this funny to you, Jane? I'm on a tight leash at the moment and all you could do..."

I paused, trying to control myself. I wouldn't entirely blame her though. She always does this. Make fun of every serious situation, turning it into a joke.

"Jane," I reprimanded, but she cut me off.

" I get it, Val. And believe me, I was so worried about you. But...I think it's high time you get laid..."

My eyes widened, "Jane!"

" Aaand I don't mean getting off in a lame way or with a lame person. Cause right now, Val... I am really sorry to say this, but I think you are in good hands and I'm definitely rooting for Alpha LORENZO. Hell, if you don't want him, I'll gladly take him. You just have to put in a good word for me."

"Jane, seriously? You have a mate."

"Ugh... Spoiler. But I think Tyler would understand, wouldn't he?"

"Jane!!"

"Okay, okay, fine. Jokes on me."

"I don't have a lot of time, Jane. I just don't know what to do anymore...and you know I have no one else to call."

"Yea. I totally get it...oh, lest I forget, Val, your mother was here, just yesterday. Looking for you."

My heart stilled at her words. "My Mum? That is impossible, Jane...she can't...wait, how do you know she was my Mum?" I inquired.

Knowing fully well that Jane and I only became friends in first grade, way after my Mum had left.

She chuckled, "Have you met your mother? She is an exact replica of you. You do not need a soothsayer for that. Now I recall, you never liked talking about her."

I clenched the phone tightly in my hands, willing the memories of her out of my head.

She was the reason for every damage in the family. The reason Dad is the way he is. Hell, he was such a sweet soul, until she left, relapsing into his drinking habits.

She was the reason I had to work at an early age, just so I could provide our meals.

If she hadn't left, if she was still with us, I do not think Dad would have borrowed money from Lorenzo. I wouldn't even be in a situation like this.

It still hurts to this day. Not like we had a good relationship while she was here, but I felt things might have been a lot easier if she was around.

"Val? You there?" Jane called tentatively.

I wiped a hand over my cheeks just as I heard light footsteps at the doorway.

"I have to go, Jane. We would talk some other time. Please, do not call this line." I said as I quickly hung up the call.

Deleting the call list on the phone, I placed it back where it was and made my way to the door.

Unlocking the door, I came face to face with the bitch, Ellie.

Her hands were stretched toward the knob like she was just about to open, and her expression darkened as she met my eyes.

"Why was the door locked?" She asked, her eyes glancing down my body, and I couldn't help but cast a glare at her.

Seeing her face again, I recalled the episode at the occasion.

Maintaining eye contact with her, I took a step forward, and she took one backward.

She didn't see it coming and neither did I. My hand swung forward, landing on her cheek. Her head was tilted to the side and her eyes widened in shock.

With the back of my hand, I gave her a resounding slap on her other cheek, and before she could recover from the shock, I grabbed her hair backward.

"You must have a lot of guts spiking my drink, you fucking impulsive bitch!"