Chapter 27 - Play pretend
1149 Words
#musicvibe - Human, Rag’n’Bone Man
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Valeria POV
A scraping sound woke me from my blissful sleep, and for a moment I forgot where I was and was just about to ask Tyson what he was doing when the events of the past few days came rushing back to me. I jolted out of bed when I realized that there was someone at the door, and based on the weird scraping sound I heard, it wasn’t Alex.
I looked around frantically, wondering if I should find something to defend myself with, but froze when the lock clicked. I held my breath waiting for the intruder to open the door, when I heard Alex’s voice on the other side.
“What the hell are you doing?” He almost screamed.
“I was just going to say hi to your little pet.” Someone replied. “I’m just curious, you don’t have to be so possessive.”
“She’s in training right now.” Alex replied. “You sneaking off to see her without my knowledge or consent could undo the progress. Father wouldn’t be too glad about that, would he?”
There was silence for a moment, then Alex opened the door and came inside, alone.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
“He’s gone.” He said and put his hand on his forehead. “That was close.”
I nodded.
“Do people usually sneak into your room?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Not really, but I’m sure both my siblings have tried.” He replied.
“You have siblings?” I asked and he nodded.
“My sister Lara and brother Jamie.” He replied. “That was Jamie outside now.”
“Okay.” I said. “What did your father say?”
Alex told me how the conversation went and I sighed in frustration.
“This is stupid.” I said. “Is there any way of telling if he’s hiding something or if he truly believes that the lycans started the war?”
Alex shrugged.
“Maybe, but it’s going to take some more time.” He replied and I groaned.
“I don’t have time.” I snapped. “I need to get back to my mate.”
Everything felt hopeless, and I angrily blinked away the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. It had been a long time since I felt this vulnerable, and I hated it. I missed Tyson and there was nothing I wanted more than to go back home.
“It’s going to be okay.” Alex said. “You’re not alone, and I promise you, I will do everything to fix this and get you back home, okay?”
I nodded and smiled softly.
“Do you have a plan?” I asked.
“I do, but you’re not going to like it.” He replied. “We can’t risk anyone knowing that we’re investigating this together. It could get both of us killed. So we might have to play pretend.”
I sighed.
“Sure.” I replied. “So how do we do this? What would you do if you still hated me?”
“First of all, if Jamie tries to sneak in here again, he can’t exactly find you chilling on the couch.” He began and I nodded.
“So I wear the chains when you’re not here.” I said. “Maybe even chained to something?”
Alex nodded.
“I have to try to figure out what my father’s next plan is, so I might have to leave you alone here sometimes. I can’t take me with you everywhere.” He said and looked out the window at the sunset. “But right now you need some more rest. You only got an hour of sleep this far and you need your strength if we’re going to keep up this charade.”
I nodded and Alex took out a blanket and pillow from the cupboard.
“Take the sofa.” He said. “Jamie won’t dare to come in here while I’m sleeping, so we’re safe, for now.”
I set them up on the sofa and sat down.
“Thanks for doing this.” I mumbled.
“Well, it’s my duty to my kingdom to protect its people.” He shrugged. “Even if that means working with… interesting people.”
He gestured to me and I chuckled.
“Yeah I feel the same way.” I replied. “But I haven’t been a lycan for that long, so I don’t quite understand the hostility between our species.”
“Neither do I sometimes.” Alex admitted. “But maybe we can bring that hostility to a close when all this is over.”
I laid down on the sofa and closed my eyes.
“I’d like that.” I replied softly before I fell asleep.
*
Caniluna Castle.
August 12th, 2146.
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Tyson POV
I tossed and turned in our painfully empty bed, snuggling into Valeria’s pillow and inhaling her scent so sharply that it felt like my lungs were going to explode. Every time I drifted off to sleep, all I could see was Valeria’s face. I heard her sweet angelic voice, and she told me that she needed me. I wanted to touch her, but no matter how hard I tried, I could never reach her. When I was just an inch away, I woke up in a cold sweat and I had been asleep for like thirty minutes.
I could tell through the bond that Valeria was neither scared nor in pain, and that brought me some slight comfort. But I was still worried. Valeria was the bravest person I knew, and she wasn’t scared of things normally, so I didn’t know what they were putting her through.
But I could tell that she missed me, I could feel her soul aching for mine, just as mine did for hers.
I looked up when the door burst open and Garrett rushed in with Evelyn and Kayden behind him. I jumped out of bed, suddenly feeling wide awake.
“There’s a message from the Vampire King.” He panted and handed me a piece of paper.
I took it from him and started reading.
“He wants to meet for peace negotiations.” I growled. “Tomorrow night.”
“Do you think he’ll bring Valeria there?” Evelyn asked.
I shook my head.
“He is probably keeping her locked up somewhere.” I replied, my voice breaking and I took a deep breath. “Maybe that’s for the better. I don’t know what I’ll do if I see her, but I can’t reach her.”
“We’re going to get her back.” Garrett said.
“I hope so.” I whispered.
Those negotiations felt like an eternity away.
- Writer
