Chapter 23
Valencia’s POV
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“You. Valencia. Are. Nothing. But. A. Whore’s. Daughter. I gritted my teeth and couldn’t hold back the glare Laimed at her
I had never really put much thought into their taunts before. Never defended my mother. Always just felt sorry for myself. It’s not like my mother had ever raised me, or been there with me. I had been alone for as long as I could remember.
But right now. Her speaking such words about my mother made fury burn in my veins. And I knew she could see the anger in my eyes because she frowned, a hint of fear showing in her expression as she took an unconscious step back.
Then just as immediately, her fury spiked even more and she brought her palm up intending to slap me.
My eyes widen and I instinctually close my eyes. Expecting the sharp pain to come but it doesn’t.
Lethia’s raised hand
I winced at the sou ze mid–air, the sharp clang of a silver plate against her wrist reverberating through the powder room.
I winced at the sound, my eyes snapping open to the sight of her stunned expression.
Standing between us was a man holding the plate, his tall, broad rame looming protectively.
He looked familiar.
My breath hitched as I registered his dark, wavy hair, styled to perfection, and the sharp lines of his jaw. But it was his eyes- brilliant, almost feral gold–that sent a shiver down my spine. He had turned his head to look at me. And even through the maroon and black mask I knew who he was instantly.
It was him. Steal.
The man I had spent a single night with, and who had haunted my thoughts every moment since.
I staggered back a step, my instincts screaming both to run and to stay. His gaze softened as he blinked, the piercing gold fading to glacial blue, but the tension inthe room only thickened.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lethia’s shrill voice cut through the air like a whip. She yanked her hand back, rubbing her wrist with exaggerated indignation.
Before anyone could answer, the door burst open, guards rushing in with practiced efficiency. Their presence quickly escalated the chaos, followed closely by the arrival of the Alphas. It wasn’t long before we were corralled into one of the adjacent lounge rooms.
The tension was suffocating.
Lethia sat in the corner, her crocodile tears soaking into Celeste’s pristine dress. I would’ve scoffed at their melodrama if I hadn’t been so distracted by my own spiraling thoughts.
Drogo was the first to explode, his voice booming with fury as he accused the Steele Pack of sabotaging the peace talks. His words were sharp, slicing through the room like daggers
But Alpha Steele responded with an unshakable calm. “You seem to forget your place, Alpha Kallistar. You are in no position to make accusations. Rest assured, my son had his reasons for his actions, and we remain fully committed to this alliance.”
That’s when I realized with horror that the Alpha standing a few feet away from me wasn’t just anyone.
“Steal‘ was Dante Steele, heir to the Steele Pack and Celeste’s intended fiance.
My mind whirled with the mortifying thought. I had actually slept with the Heir of an enemy pack. Of all the wolves in the
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Chapter 23
world, why him?
As if sensing my unease, Ste–No, Dante turned his gaze to me, is intense focus making my skin prickle
Someone coughed behind him and I looked to see Jaxon glaring at me, Had he caught me staring at Dante?
My heart jumped in fear and exhilaration.
It felt good to see him be so annoyed. Maybe that made me petty
However, I knew I would have to deal with worse consequences I didn’t stop now, so I looked away from the Alphas and down at the ground.
Finally, Dante spoke. “I apologize for any misunderstandings, Alpha Drogo,” he said, his voice steady and commanding. “I acted on instinct. As an Alpha, it is my duty to protect those in need, and I saw it necessary to stop your Luna from unjustly striking your daughter.
Lethia bristled, her tear–streaked face twisting in anger. “She is my daughter! I have every right to discipline her as I see fit! You have no right to interfere in our family matters.”
Dante didn’t flinch. “Forgive me, but I distinctly recall you stating that this Omega is not your daughter. His smile was sharp, his tone colder than ice. “And considering that I am to become part of this family, I do believe I have a right to intervene in matters involving my future in–laws.”
My heart stuttered at his words.
A swell of nausea rose in my gut, the sheer weight of his presence making it impossible to think clearly. My emotions were a tangled mess: relief, dread, fear and a strange pang of happiness that I had crossed paths with him again.
But I also feared that he might go and spill to everyone that I lost my virginity to the enemy pack. I had only known him for one night hadn’t I?
On the other hand I had known Jaxon for more than two decades and he still turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I didn’t dare trust Dante now. Losing my virginity was one thing. But this. This would be seen as a betrayal, which meant If the Alpha’s found out I could be sentenced to death, or worse.
He hadn’t said my name yet. But even so there was a high chance that he had recognized me. All I could do right now was act like I didn’t know him.
I couldn’t look at him. I could only hope this would be over soon
“Daddy!” Celeste’s wailing cut through the room like nails on a chalkboard. “What does he mean? Of course Valencia is my sister! If she’s my sister, she’s obviously my mother’s daughter!” She hiccuped, “I don’t like this Alpha! I don’t want to marry him!”
The dramatics made my lips twitch in frustration, but I stifled the urge to roll my eyes. Now wasn’t the time.
My attempt to look anywhere but at Dante backfired when I accidentally locked eyes with him again. The sheer intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, and I quickly fooked away, feeling heat crawl up my neck.
Roman Wolfe stepped forward, his voice measured but firm. “I understand your concerns, Alpha Steele. But discipline. within a pack is a sensitive matter. We only resort to such measures when absolutely necessary, much like how you discipline your soldiers
There was a long tense silence where electricity crackled in the air.
“Alpha Roman,” Dante finally said smoothly, his tone laced with civility. “You are correct. I acted without considering the
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Chapter 23
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context. For that, I apologize. However, I assure you, I will make amends.Now, as the night has already adragged on long enough, may I ask which of these wonderful Omegas is to be my ride?”
Every muscle in my body tensed..
His eyes swept the room, and though I prayed he wouldn’t, his he landed on me. Dread and butterflies tumbled around in the pit of my stomach as his sharp eyes seemed to pierce through my mask, as if stripping away every layer of pretense i
had.
This is my daughter, Celeste. Drogo said, gesturing to her,
Dante’s frown was subtle but unmistakable. “It seems your daugher isn’t entirely willing,” he said, tilting his head. “I heard her speak clearly just a moment ago.”
“That’s just how women are,” Roman interjected, his smile strained. “She’ll come around”
Dante’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “That won’t do. We do not marry Omegas who aren’t completely willing from the beginning
He looked around again, his gaze returning to me. My pulse quickened, a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“The one in red,” he said, his voice soft yet commanding. “She also your daughter, correct? Valencia, isn’t it?”
1 froze.
“Yes,” Drogo said slowly, his tone cautious.
“She’s already spoken for,” Jaxon snarled, stepping forward. His glare could have cut through stone, but Dante met it with a calm, unimpressed look.
“Is that so?” Dante asked, turning his gaze back to me. “Are you engaged?”
The room felt like it was spinning as every pair of eyes
es turned to me
I knew what I was supposed to say. On one hand if I disagreed there might be a little commotion, but when I thought about it clearly, he would soon hear about the rumours, right? So there wasn’t much of a chance he’d actually want me as a mate after that.
On the other hand, if I agreed then Jaxon would take this as acceptance and I would never allow that.
My lips parted, and though fear clawed at my throat, I shook my head.
“No,” I said quietly. And my heart jumped when the corner of his lip turned up very slightly.
“We aren’t engaged yet.” Jaxon hissed, his voice taut with anger. “But she will be marrying me.”
Dante ignored him entirely, his attention fixed solely on me. “Valencia,” he said, his voice soft but resolute, “are you willing
to marry
me?”
The room erupted into chaos.
My heart plummeted.
