Chapter 73
Valencia’s POV
The line was silent, save for the soft hum of static. My fingers trembled around the telephone receiver as I willed myself to stay calm.
The ache in my abdomen flared again, sharp and insistent, and a small gasp escaped me before I could stop it.
My free hand flew to my mouth, covering it as embarrassment washed over me. The heat wasn’t just burning in my belly anymore–it was spreading through every nerve in my body, making my skin hypersensitive, my thoughts muddled.
The line remained quiet for a beat, then came the faint sound of shuffling. The faint hum of background noise–the sound of people speaking–abruptly disappeared.
Then, his voice sounded low, soft, and cautious. “…Valencia? Is that you?” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, the overwhelming mix of emotions threatening to spill over.
My grip on the phone tightened as I whispered, “Are you alone? There was a pause on the other end, then he answered. “Don’t worry. I’m outside. No one knows.”
His words were meant to reassure me, but they didn’t. My teeth clenched as doubt crept in. Calling him had been a mistake. I should have just endured this on my own.
“What’s wrong?” Aiden’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “You sound… weird.” I let out a scoff, though it came out more shaky than I intended. “You said to call you if I changed my mind,” I replied, my voice brittle. He paused again, his breathing steady on the other end
“Did that bastard do something to you?” My jaw tightened, and I sat up straighter. “Don’t call him that,” I snapped. “And
you call me?” that’s none of your business.” “If it’s not my business, then why the hell did
His tone sharpened, but there was an undercurrent of worry beneath it. “How am I supposed to help if you don’t tell me what’s wrong?” A flush of shame crept up my neck.
Even now, even with the ache and haze clouding my mind, the thought of telling my step brother why I needed his help made my stomach churn. “That’s not the problem here,” I muttered, my voice quieter. “I… I need suppressors.”
There was a beat of silence.
Then Aiden’s rough voice came through, confused. “What? Are the ones in the Steele pack not good?” I hesitated, my mind racing.
How much could I afford to tell him? How much could I trust him? “Aiden…” I began, my tone more serious now. It was the first time I’d addressed him without the Alpha honorific, and I heard the subtle shift in his breathing–he noticed.
“What is it?” His voice was softer now, more cautious. “Do you promise to keep this between us?
You can’t let a single other soul know. I’m… trusting you,” I said, the words feeling heavy on my tongue.
“You have my word,” he said immediately. I still felt uneasy, but I had no other choice.
Taking a deep breath, I–forced the words out. “I’m in Ravenwood. Not the Steele pack territory.”
The line went deathly silent.
I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears, could feel the tension mounting as the seconds stretched on.
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Chapter 73
Then, suddenly, his voice came through, frantic. “You’re alone?” “Yes,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “So I need those suppressors. Can you send a parcel to the address I’m about to give you?”
“Valencia,” he said, his tone sharper now, “do you understand how dangerous-”
“Aiden,” I cut him off, my patience thinning. “I’m in no mood to hear your spiel. If you want to help, then help. Otherwise, I’m cutting the call.”
I heard him curse under his breath, followed by a frustrated sigh “Fine. Tell me the address.” I rattled off the name of the hotel, deliberately leaving out the room number. The less he knew, the better.
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“Leave the parcel in the hotel lobby,” I added. “I’ll pick it up.” There was a pause before he asked, “Are you serious? You’re not even going to tell me where you’re staying?”
I stayed silent. I didn’t care what he thought. But it was obvious he understood my distrust when he spoke again.
“Fine,” he muttered, clearly irritated. “Anything else you need?” “Oh,” I said, almost as an afterthought.
“Send me a couple packs of Indomie, would you?”
“What’s that?” I blinked, momentarily thrown off.
“Instant noodles.” Aiden let out a dry laugh. “You’re asking for junk food in the middle of all this?”
“Yes, I am. You’re sending it or not?” He sighed, exasperated. “Fine. Anything else?”
“That’s it,” I said quickly, cutting him off before he could ask any more questions.
“I’ll look out for the parcel.” And before he could say another word, I hung up the phone.
I collapsed back onto the bed, the receiver clattering back into place. My head spun, both from the conversation and the beer still coursing through my system.
My body felt heavy, the heat pooling in my abdomen making it hard to think. I frowned, my thoughts drifting.
Liquor wasn’t supposed to affect werewolves this quickly–if at all. Even when I’d drunk with Dante that first night, it had taken more than just a few beers to get me tipsy.
So why was I already feeling so intoxicated? My mind wandered to Dante, and I gulped, feeling tears prick at my eyes. Fuck. Something was seriously wrong with me.
I shouldn’t want to be with him.
I shouldn’t want him here, now, taking care of me like he had last time. But I did.
e corners of
The memory of that night–the way he had held me, soothed me, brought me to heights I hadn’t even known were possible -came rushing back, and I buried my face in my hands, mortified.
I tried to push the thoughts away, tried to focus on something else. But the fire in my veins refused to be ignored.
The hours passed in a haze of heat and longing.
My body burned as I masturbated, brought myself to release over and over, my mind filled with nothing but thoughts of
him.
Of us. Different positions, different places, different scenarios.
Each fantasy was more vivid than the last, and by the third time, I was sobbing into the pillow, overwhelmed and unsatisfied.
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At some point, I must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing I knew, there was a series of loud knocks on the door.
My eyes flew open, my heart pounding in my chest as I shot upright. The room was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of Castor’s egg.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 3:12 a.m.
The knock came again, louder this time, and I froze. Suppressors.
It had to be the suppressors.
Relief washed over me as I swung my legs off the bed, fixing myself up as best I could before heading for the door.
But halfway there, I stopped cold.
How did they know my room number?
A chill ran down my spine as I slowly approached the door, my steps cautious.
I pressed my eye to the peephole, my breath catching in
my throat.
Standing on the other side, his expression unreadable, was Aiden. In the flesh.
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