Alpha Timo left the hall, leaving Valerie and Leonard alone.
The sound of a sharp slap echoed through the room.
Leonard's head snapped to the side, his jaw tightening as the sting burned across his cheek.
"Why did you tell everyone about me and Nathan?" Valerie demanded, her face hardened with hatred.
"What?" Leonard stared at her, completely dumbfounded.
"Why would I do that?" he asked.
"Because you can't stand to see me happy," she spat. "You want to ruin me, make everyone hate me."
"You wanted it to look like I cheated on you, didn't you?" she cried, her words breaking as sobs cut through her stutter.
Leonard dragged a hand through his perfectly combed hair in frustration before turning back to her. He reached for her hands, but she slapped them away.
"Valerie, I swear, I haven't told a single soul," he pleaded, his heart aching. Inside him, his wolf, Nagi, growled in pain.
"Liar!" she screamed. "I never want to see your face again. Do you hear me?"
She turned to leave, but he caught her wrist, stopping her.
Leonard swallowed hard, the lump in his throat nearly choking him. Despite the pain tearing through him, every part of him still yearned for her. He loved her more than he loved himself.
"Why won't you believe me?" he asked desperately, pulling her closer, trying to make her see the truth.
Her answer was another slap.
"What have I done to deserve this?" he asked quietly.
"Don't you get it?" Valerie snapped. "I feel nothing for you."
The words shattered him.
She had tried long ago to show him through her body language, that she didn't want him, but he had ignored it. Now she was saying it to his face, without filtering her words.
"Then what happens to me now? Don't you care how this rejection will shatter me?" he asked, his voice barely holding together. "How am I supposed to move on?"
"I don't care!" she screamed. "Leave me alone and move on with your life. If you truly love me, then let me go!" She shoved him away and brushed past him toward the exit.
Leonard remained where he stood, frozen. No words could describe the emptiness crushing his chest.
He sank into the nearest chair, gripping the armrest as he struggled to steady himself.
Maybe it was time to let go.
He had waited, hoping she would come around like everyone said she might but she never did.
Rising slowly, Leonard straightened his shoulders. He would not chase after her anymore, not like a lovesick fool.
At that moment, he made a vow.He would harden his heart.
And he would never fall in love again.
*******
Valerie felt lightheaded
All she wanted was to bathe and rest. Her hand trembled as she pushed open the door to her room, her heart nearly popped out of her chest.
Lo and behold, Lumori sat casually on her bed, looking as smug as ever.
"What are you doing here?" Valerie demanded.
The panic in her voice made her stutter.
"Just… just here to see my sister," Lumori replied, deliberately mimicking her stammer before breaking into laughter.
Valerie drew in a deep breath. Truthfully, the sight of Lumori frightened her.
She had changed.Her cheekbones were sharper, her face more thin. Dark circles lay beneath her eyes as though she hadn't slept in days. This wasn't the Lumori she remembered from their childhood, the gentle girl she once knew.
"Little sister," Lumori said softly, rising to her feet, "tomorrow is your ceremony. Would it be so terrible if I wished you luck in advance?"
She stepped closer.
Valerie instinctively backed away, her head lowering, unable to meet Lumori's gaze.
"Unfortunately," Lumori continued, a sinister smile curling her lips, "I won't be around."
Relief washed through Valerie at those words.
"Where will you be?" she asked, forcing concern into her tone.
"Far away from the thief who stole my birthright," Lumori said lightly. "That way, when you die, I won't be the prime suspect."
Valerie frowned, confusion flickering across her face. She didn't fully understand the weight behind Lumori's words.
"Don't overthink it, sis. I'm sure Mom is ready to welcome you with open arms." she said.
"Valerie clutched her dress slightly, unease creeping in. She wondered what Lumori was up to this time. Those words sent a chill through her because their mother was already dead. So how could she possibly be waiting to welcome her?"
Lumori turned toward the door, then paused and lowered her head in a mock bow.
"Long live my lady," she said, her words dripping with mockery.
The door opened, then closed behind her.
Only then did Valerie release the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"'Vera," she called desperately, but there was no response. She knew her inner wolf had been angry with her ever since she rejected Leonard. Vera had cut off all communication without warning and vanished.
Now she was alone, with no one to share her thoughts with. She couldn't wait for morning, for the moment she would see Nathan again. Only then would she finally calm down.
"She had loved Nathan all her life, ready to give up anything just to be with him. And she was certain absolutely certain that he felt the same way about her.
Her eyelids grew heavy, as sleep finally claimed her