An Alpha for Valentine

FOUR

VALENTINE

I wake up to a dreary morning. The sky was overcast, and the room was dimly lit. I could hear the faint pitter-patter of raindrops against the windowpane. I turned over in bed, but something felt different. That was when I realized that my bags were packed and sitting by the door. I sat up in bed and see a very stoic Devin standing by the window, looking out into the rain.

“I am guessing it is time to leave,” I whispered, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me. I knew I was going to hate this but I had no choice. In many ways, it had been better for me to be ignorant. The Crow was not forgiving and I was the daughter of a man who helped bring about a g******e that shook the shifter world.

"I know how you feel about this, but it's important. It will be over before you know it" He said, still looking out the window.

I shut the psychic bond almost immediately. I hated that he could read me. I hated that I could do the same. Slowly, I got out of bed and walked over to him. I stood behind him, watching as the rain fell outside. There was an awkward silence between us. That was what it was bound to be when we never talked about our feelings or anything personal.

“Nobody in the Crow actually hates you,’ He continued.

“I can read your thoughts,” I said. “Even if I couldn’t, I would still know that is a lie. They are not wrong to hate me too. If I were in their shoes, I would hate me too.”

“You are a second Luna in your right,” Devin said, turning to look at me. “They are allowed to have their reservations about you. But they would not dare disrespect you.”

I was going to tell him being mated to a homicidal maniac would not stop gossip but that just felt wrong to say. So I just kept it to myself.

“But your fears are not misguided. Some members of the pack are yet to let go of all that pent-up anger and grief. Yasmin Maplewood did the things she did because of her grief. When we get there, I will assign a sentinel as your bodyguard.”

I could have fought against the idea. But this was the longest we were having a civil conversation and that was scary. Instead of pushing against the idea of a bodyguard that would still hate me, I nodded. It was hard. I could still feel the lump from yesterday forming in my throat, and I fought back the tears.

"We should get going then," I whispered, walking past him to freshen up and get dressed. As soon as I was done, I went ahead to grab my bags.

I made sure to release my hold on the psychic link so he wouldn’t offer to help me with the bags. Devin was not a man who followed cues, even if he could see them clearly. But I appreciated that he listened this time around and let me do it. I needed it. I needed a semblance of control in my now dumpster fire of a life. He followed me out the door, and we headed to the car.

The drive to the pack grounds was silent, with Devin’s stiff demeanor being a constant reminder that worse was coming. I sat in the passenger seat, my gaze fixed on the raindrops racing down the windowpane. They seemed to be in a hurry, just like I wished I could be.

The pattering of the rain was calming, but it also felt like a reflection of my mood. As the storm intensified, so did the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't shake off the sense of impending doom that came as we closed in Crow territory.

The scenery outside the car window slowly changed as we approached our destination. The lush greenery that had once seemed so inviting now felt oppressive. The trees and buildings of the pack grounds came into view, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me.

We pulled into the parking lot, and I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what was to come. Devin’s hand crept on my shoulder. It was his way to show support. But I didn’t need it. So I shrugged it off. The car eventually came to a halt and we stepped outside.

I could hear the howling of the wolves in the distance, and it sent shivers down my spine. It was devout pack members welcoming their Alpha and Luna back home. But those howls felt more like a hunting cry. One where I was the game. Devin’s mind was riddled with ideas on how to calm me down. But I didn’t need comfort. Especially not from him.

As we approached the mansion, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider in a place that should now be my own world. I couldn't help but feel small in the shadow of the mansion. The massive building was the headquarters of the pack house, and it looked every bit as imposing as the stories I'd heard. What made it worse was the giant building held a lot of darkness. The renovation couldn’t hide the dark history it carried. People had died here and those deaths…

Devin held my hand as he walked beside me, his presence comforting even if I didn’t want it to. He seemed to know every inch of the place, and his strides were confident as he led the way. I trailed behind him, taking in the surroundings.

Pack members were scattered around the grounds, some training in the fields, others lounging under the shade of trees. As soon as they spotted Devin, they stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads in respect. It was a sign of loyalty. An Alpha of the pack was back home.

I felt their eyes on me as we made our way to the entrance, and I couldn't shake the feeling that they were sizing me up, judging me. I tried to stand tall and confident, but I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my spine. The hostility in the air was thick and almost suffocating.

"Devin!" A man's voice boomed, and I turned to see a tall, muscular man approaching us. He had the same sharp features and piercing eyes as Devin. If you ignored the casual dressing, the scars at the nape of his throat, and his hair.

"Jason," Devin greeted him with a hug.

"It's good to see you again, brother," Jason said, his eyes flickering toward me for a moment before returning to Devin.

“You brought the Monarch,” He chuckled, looking me up and down with a sneer. “Scared your delicate butterfly is going to fly off?”

“A vampire once broke into my apartment in search of its sister,” Devin replied, “I think she is safer close to me.” Devin wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I wanted nothing more than to shove that hand away. But with the pack in my face and observing my every move, I stomached it.

Jason's sneer only deepened at Devin's words, but he said nothing more. Instead, he gestured toward me. "Welcome Valentine Monarch," He said, leading us toward the entrance of the mansion. “I hope the Crow is everything you expected it to be.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. As we walked towards the entrance, I could still feel the eyes of the pack on me. Their gazes felt like knives, cutting into me with every step we took. I knew they didn't trust me and didn't want me there, but I couldn't show any sign of weakness. Not in front of them.

As we entered the mansion, I could feel the weight of the pack's judgment bearing down on me. I knew this was only the beginning, and the thought of spending more time with them filled me with dread.

Time here was going to be pure torture. I just knew it.