Chapter 4
Valencia’s POV
My breath hitched as his gaze met mine, and he smiled.
It was a dazzling smile, with sharp canines peeking through, and his deep blue eyes sparkled under the bright light of the bar “You ran away” he said, his voice low, smooth, with just a host of drunkenness. Not that I could judge–El bren drinking right alongside this gorgeous, tanned stranger, and I could feel my thoughts getting fuzzier by the minute.
I nodded, a crooked smirk pulling at my lips. “Yeah, don’t give a damn anymore. He can go off and marry my sister, for all 1 care” 1 froze, suddenly realizing what I’d just revealed to this stringer,
But then he started chuckling, a deep, rumbling sound that made the tension melt from my shoulders.
“He’s that bad in bed?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Don’t even ask,” 1 snorted, the laughter bubbling up before I could stop it. “Worst experience of my life.”
It felt surreal, almost liberating, to laugh like this. To be honest, unfiltered, with someone who didn’t know me, didn’t judge me. It was a freedom I’d almost forgotten existed. Maybe it was the alcohol, but the atmosphere was intoxicating, heady, as though everything around me shimmered with possibility. The air was thick with the scent of hydrangeas and tobacco, and I closed my eyes, soaking in the sensation of being someone else someone free.
When I opened them again, he was watching me with a curious expression, a slight smirk still on his lips. He called himself “Steal,” and somehow, even his name felt like an invitation to forget everything.
Coming here had been a spur-of–the–moment decision, but now I knew it was the right one. Just for tonight, I wanted to live a life that didn’t revolve around lies and betrayals. Just one night,
(A couple hours earlier)
I laughed. The sound was hollow, forced, as the cool red wine trickled down the front of my dress. It stained the fabric like blood, but I didn’t care. Jaxon’s sister, Ana, stood before me, feigning concern as her eyes flickered to the darkening spot on my dress.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she said, though her tone lacked any real apology. “Well, at least it won’t show much on this dress.”
Her gaze swept over me, assessing, not apologetic at all. The cool wind whipped around us, brushing against my bare arms, and goosebumps rose on my skin. I forced a smile, a thin, polite one, but inside, everything was churning. My suspicions were confirmed.
This is real
I’d really gone back in time. This wasn’t some vivid dream. This was my past, my life, the same moment I had lived once before. I remembered every detail–Ana’s smugness, the decorations, the scenery, the crowd, the way her hand accidentally knocked her glass of wine into me, and the way I had fled the scene in tears that first time around.
But not this time. This time, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction
“Don’t worry about it,” I muttered, taking the napkin from her outstretched
dread grew in my stomach, swirling like a storm, and my breath felt shalland, wiping the wine absently. The cold pit of
Before I could think of how to escape, Jaxon appeared, stepping out of the pack house and making his way toward us. My heart lurched. He wasn’t supposed to be here yet–at least, not in my previous life. The last time, I had left before he could come out, too humiliated to stay for the proposal. But this time was still here.
1/3
Chapter 1
His eyes landed on me, and for the briefest moment, something Bickered across his face Shock? Admiration? It was hard to
tell
But then his lips curved into a smile, and his entire demeanor changed. His usual coldness was replaced with a warmth 1 hadn’t seen in years. He strode over to me, his hand reaching for nine.
“You look stunning,” Jaxon said, his voice low and affectionate. a, be more careful next time?
Ana frowned, her eyes flashing with annoyance. “It was an accident she muttered, before spinning on her heel and storming oll
I stood there, frozen, as Jaxon’s compliment washed over me. In another life, those words might have made my heart flutter, but now, all I could feel was the weight of his cruelty. The dread in my chest grew heavier, suffocating. His gaze softened as he looked at me, but I knew better than to believe in the facade.
Everyone’s attention was on us. The pack members at the party watched, their eyes darting between me and Jazon, waiting. expecting. I realized with a cold, sinking feeling that I lead changed the future. In my past life, I hadn’t been here for this. moment. Jaxon hadn’t had the chance to propose in front of the back because I had left.
But now? Now I was here, standing before him, and I could see in his eyes–he was about to propose And I was on the verge of repeating the same mistake that had ruined my life.
No, I can’t let this happen. 1
I couldn’t breathe. I felt trapped, like I was drowning, and every fiber of my being screamed for me to run, to escape. But I had to act carefully. If I rejected him outright, who knew what kind of wrath that would bring? I had already seen the darkness in Jaxon. I knew what lie was capable of
My hands trembled as Jaxon knelt before me, his eyes filled with what looked like love, but I saw it for what it was- manipulation, Control, Cruelty, disguised as affection
I couldn’t do this. Not again.
Before he could say anything. I grabbed a tissue from the table and leaned heavily against it, feigning discomfort. “Please excuse me,” I said quickly, my voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. “I think… I think my stomach is upset.
I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned on my heel and hurried away from the gathering, my heart pounding in my chest. The cold dread gnawed at me, but I didn’t look back. If I had stayed, I knew exactly how this would have ended. He would have proposed. I would have said yes, thinking I had no other choice, and my life would have spiraled into the same nightmare
Not this time.
I reached the nearest bathroom, locking the door behind me, and slumped against the wall, gasping for air. My hands were shaking as I splashed water on my face, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
What am I doing?
I caught my reflection in the mirror, my face pale, my eyes wide with panic. I have to get out of here, I thought, gripping the edges of the sink. There was no way I was letting history repeat itself.
Just as I made up my mind to leave, the door swung open, and Jaxon stepped inside, his expression tight with concern–or was it something darker?
Valencia,” he said, his voice low. “Are you okay?”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing for an excuse. “Yes… I’m fine.
11:36 Tue, Jan 14
Chapter 1
His eyes narrowed, and the worry in his gaze shifted into something colder. “Why did you leave?” he asked, his voice sharper
now. “I was about to-
“I know,” I cut him off, trying to steady my voice. “It’s just… this all happening too fast. I’m not ready, Jaxon
His jaw clenched, and I could see the irritation flash across his face. “What do you mean, you’re not ready? You didn’t seem reluctant when I kissed you before.”
Kissed? Right, we had shared a sudden kiss a week before our engagement in my previous life. He had probably taken that as my agreement to marriage.
I felt slightly irritated now that I properly tliought about everything that had happened. Did I ever give verbal consent for anything?
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “I just… I want to focus on my studies first. I’m not ready to get married
“Your studies?” he scoffed, his tone dripping with disbelief. “What does that matter? You’re going to be my Luna.”
“I’m not in a hurry,” I said quietly, meeting his gaze. “Maybe if you’re so desperate to get married, you should find someone else. Someone like Nicole or Anastasia.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Jaxon eyes darkened, and a dangerous glint appeared in his gaze. His body stiffened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out
“Are you rejecting me?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. I was too afraid of what he would do. But 1 couldn’t say no, either, not after everything I had seen, after everything I had lived through. So I stayed silent, my heart pounding in my chest.
Jaxon’s gaze hardened. “Fine, I can way,” he said coldly. “But don’t keep me waiting too long.”
He stormed out, leaving me standing there, trembling as the enormity of what I’d just done hit me.
I need to get out of here.
SEND GIFT
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Valencia’s POV
The chill of the night bit at my skin as I slipped out the door, but didn’t care. I couldn’t stay there for another minute, not with Jaxon’s wonds echoing in my mind.
His fake concern, his entitlement. I needed to get out, to breath to escape the suffocating dread that closed in on me like the night around me.
I called a cab and slid into the back seat, clutching my lag. “Noir Paradiso,” I muttered, my gaze fixed on the world passing by. The driver’s eyebrow shot up, but he didn’t say a word, I knew what I looked like–wine–stained dress, messed–up makeup, on my way to the most expensive har in town. I could practically feel his judgment. Let him judge, I thought. If tonight was my new beginning, then I might as well make the start one to remember.
The cab finally stopped, and I tossed a bill at the driver, stepping out into the dim, ambient light of the bar’s entrance. The heavy beat of music pulsed through the walls, and as I entered, the low lighting and warm wood tones wrapped around me like a cloak.
I made a beeline for the bar and ordered the strongest drink I could think of, my pulse calming as I lifted the glass to my lips. For once, the burn in my throat was welcome–it was real, fangible, something I could grasp. I hadn’t even set my glass down before I felt a presence settle beside me.
I glanced up, my breath catching as I saw him.
He was tall, with broad shoulders and a casual posture, like he belonged to every place he stepped into. His skin was tan, his dark, slightly wavy hair curling at the nape of his neck. A quiet strength exuded from him, a confidence that made it hard to look away. He slid onto the stool next to mine, glancing at me with mild curiosity before looking away, uninterested.
I tilted my head toward the bartender. “Keep them coming “I said, my voice more louder than I’d intended.
The man beside me chuckled under his breath, the sound low and rich. “Maybe case off that idea. Or you’ll be under the table by the end of the hour.”
I turned, raising an eyebrow. “What, you don’t think I can handle it?”
He smirked, his gaze cool, detached. “Not the point. Just saying there are ways to forget things that don’t end in a blackout.”
I rolled my eyes, a smirk playing on my lips. “Nah, I’m tired of making sensible decisions.”
“Ah, a rebel tonight.” His voice was laced with sarcasm, his tone a blend of humor and indifference. “Well, here’s to reckless choices, I guess.”
He raised his glass slightly, giving me an amused look as I shook my head, feeling my own lips tug into a smile.
We sat in silence for a moment, but he didn’t leave, and didn’t seem to want to either. So I kept talking, not knowing why. We said our basic introduction and the topic veered off…
1
“Your dress…” he said suddenly, his gaze dropping to the dark stain
I scoffed. “Someone poured wine on me. Let’s call it a… friendly reminder of why I needed a night out.”
A hint of a smirk flashed across his face. “Rough day?”
“Rough life, more like it,” I replied, the words tumbling out unfiltered. “What about you? Here to drown your sorrows too?”
He glanced at his glass, a hint of a laugh in his voice. “Alcohol doesn’t work that easily on me. Already on my fifth bottle
today.
I gave him a skeptical look, not bothering to hide my disbelief.ive bottles, huh?”
“Swear on it.” he said, his tone deadpan. “My employer threw me out because I wasn’t “bringing in clients‘ tonight”
I tilted my head, narrowing my gaze at him “What exactly do y… do for a living?”
He leaned back, his eyes sweeping over me with an assessing look before he replied, “I service… other people.”
His words hung in the air, deliberate and vague. My cheeks heated slightly as I took in his handsome face and the relaxed confidence that rolled off him in waves. So that’s what he did. Well…
“I get it,” I said, tilting my glass toward him, “Not a bad night for at line of work.”
“Don’t know about that,” he murmured, his voice carrying an edge of humor as he sipped his drink, glancing over the crowl. Then he looked back at me, his gaze a shade more serious. “So, hy’d you really come here?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden directness of his question. I could have brushed it off, made up an excuse, but something about hint invited honesty. “A guy I liked,” I admitted, shrugging. “He… was going to propose
His eyebrows shot up. “And that’s a bad thing?”
I scoffed, shaking my head. I said I used to like him, not that I still do. And besides, I found out he’s a cheater.”
paused, swallowing down the sudden wave of emotion rising in my throat. Or he will be. But honestly, who cares about timing anymore?
The stranger, ‘Steal,‘ as he had introduced himself, let out a low whistle. “So you’re just going to ghost him then?”
“He’s not my boyfriend, or my fiancé Just an Alpha I thought I wanted.. but now? Let’s just say he has a god complex that’s a little hard to overlook.”
“Must be hard,” he said with mock sympathy, “rejecting a perfect Alpha.”
“Not if he’s the wrong Alpha,” I replied, the bitterness sharper than I’d intended.
“So, you rejected him?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope,” I said, setting my glass down with a thud. “I ran away.”
“You ran away?” he said, his voice low, smooth, with just a tiny hint of drunkenness, and I could feel my thoughts getting fuzzier by the minute as well.
I nodded, a crooked smirk pulling at my lips. “Yeah, don’t give a damn anymore. He can go off and marry my sister, for all
I care. He’s awful in bed anyways.” I froze, suddenly realizing what I’d just revealed to this stranger.
But then he started chuckling, a loud, deep, rumbling sound that made the tension melt from my shoulders,
“That bad, huh?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Don’t even ask,” I snorted, the laughter bubbling up before I could stop it. “Worst experience of my life.
Then suddenly, my hand slipped, and my drink spilled over his pristine white shirt. I gasped, flustered, reaching out in a frantic attempt to dab at the stain. “Oh god, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-
He stood, steady as a rock as I tried to wipe the fabric. But in my flustered, awkward state, I somehow managed to stumble, my foot catching on the edge of the stool. Before I knew it, I was falling–until his arms closed around me, strong and
unyielding, holding me up.
That’s when I realized we were situated in the corner of the barble and a wall was right beside us.
My back hit the wall, and I found myself pinned between it and the hard planes of his body.
The dim light surrounding us creating a heady atmosphere. Hient washed over me, that intoxicating mix of smoke and something woodsy. It clouded my senses, palling me in, grounding me in a weird way and making me shudder.
Without thinking. I reached up, my fingers curling into his shir wanting him closer. I didn’t even have time to catch my breath before his lips found mine, stealing away what little resolve I had left.
The kiss was rough, hungry, as though he was as desperate to forget something as I was. I lost myself in it, the world spinning until there was only him, only the burning heat between us.
He pulled back slightly, his breath warm against my lips, his voice low and thick with promise. “Maybe I can wash away all those bad experiences for you. Make you forget this guy…
The words came out like an offer, and I could sense the double meaning, the hint that he’d done this before, and for others Somehow, that made it easier to say yes.
“Forget him?” I murmured, my voice breathy, my thoughts spinging in a haze of whiskey and anticipation. I can do that.” His smirk widened as he pulled me toward the exit, his arm a steady anchor.
We barely reached the suite before his hands were on me again, his touch rough yet measured.
In seconds, my dress and underwear was on the floor, his lips trailing heat across my skin as he leaned over me, his fingers. slipping lower.
He pushed me onto the bed and I fell back. But before I could do anything he was climbing on top and pinning me down.
I gasped as he pressed a kiss to my throat, his fingers reaching my wet clit and teasing with slow precision, each movement building a tension within me that bordefed on exquisite pleasure
My body responded instinctively, an almost unfamiliar but intoxicating sensation pooling deep within. His hand slid between my thighs, his fingers casing inside me, and a sharp ache made me inhale sharply.
My fingers curled into his hair, and he let out a soft, almost possessive growl as he worked with a steady rhythm, his gaze fixed on mine, both tender and hungry.
I barely managed to breathe, lost in the intensity of his touch, my pulse racing as he tilted his fingers just so, sending a surge of pleasure that made my back arch against
him.
Heat pooled inside me, foreign and exhilarating, bis thumb brushing my most sensitive spot with a pressure that made my toes curl.
Everything was dizzying, intoxicating, and right before I felt my orgasm hit, he suddenly froze.
Steal’s fingers stilled, his gaze darkening, and he looked down at his fingers inside me, in dawning realization.
His blue eyes flickered, a sharp, molten gold searing through his gaze as his hand withdrew gently, his breath coming in rougher than before. My body still trembled, unable to stop or pull away,
You’re a fucking virgin?” he growled, his voice tinged with anger, frustration, and something else–something that sent a new kind of thrill down my spine.
