Chapter 51
Valencia’s POV
The sun streamed through the tall windows of the Silver Claw jekhouse dining hall, casting golden light across the long table set for lunch.
I sat beside Marcelene, who seemed far less guarded than usual. She leaned back in her chair, her typical sharp demeanor softened–though not entirely gone. As soon as I had gotten up the morning she barged into the foom, demanding
answers.
Ranging from, “What the fuck is wrong with you?” to “How do you feel now?” She had asked me many questions. During which I had also revealed the name I had given to my baby. She had frowned asking me how I was sure it was a boy.
For
And I had given her an honest response. I could just feel it. Did it make sense? Probably not. But Marcelene had more or less gotten used to my oddities by now.
Marcy was wearing her usual attire of ripped jeans and a smug black tank top, but today there was something different about her. Lip gloss gleamed faintly on her lips, and her hair was tied into a half–up top knot. Silver hoop earrings swung lightly as she sipped from her glass.
I tilted my head, trying to hide a smirk. “Where’d you get the new look?” I asked, gesturing to her accessories.
Marcy shrugged nonchalantly. “Caius. He said he had a stash of clothes meant for some school friend’s sisters. Apparently. they never got used.”
“Uh–huh,” I said, arching a brow. And these just so happened to match your exact type and size? What a coincidence.”
She rolled her eyes, her smirk betraying her amusement. “Don’t look at me like I’m stupid. I know what he’s up to. I just don’t give a fuck.”
“Yes, yes,” I said with mock solemnity. “your strawberry lip gloss makes it quite clear how much you don’t care.” Marcy leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Did you know Caius is allergic to strawberries?” My eyes widened. “Girl. That’s… devious. Poor guy–I almost feel bad for him.”
“Please.” She snorted, leaning back in her chair. “There’s nothing poor‘ about him. Plus, he’s Dante’s brother. I’m not taking any chances. I have my mom to think about.”
Her words made my smile falter slightly. Even if she didn’t say it I knew the hate she showed towards Caius wasn’t real. It felt more like a defence mechanism.
Like she was afraid of something. Would it have been different i hadn’t told her how she and her family died in my past life? I couldn’t help feeling guilty once again. I owed her so much. How was I ever going to pay it all back?
“Marcy- you know, it’s okay for you to live a little, right? I know it’s weird coming from me, bit. I hesitated, searching her expression for a crack in her stoic mask. “The Steele pack didn’t kill your brother in this life.”
Marcy’s hand tightened around her glass, the soft clink as she seat on the table a little too loud. My grip on Castor instinctively tightened, the egg’s warmth grounding me as tension rippled through the air.
Before I could say anything, the door swung open, and Dante entered, his gaze flicking between Marcy and me. His frown deepened slightly as his eyes settled on me.
“Dante,” I said quickly, pasting on a smile. “Come sit. You haven eaten yet.”
14:53 Tue, Jan 14
Chapter 51
He didn’t move immediately, his eyes lingering on me as though assessing my emotions.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks under his steady gaze.
“Are you feeling okay?” His voice was low, but the concern was dent.
“I’m fine.” I said, laughing nervously. From the corner of my eye could see Marcy glaring daggers at him.
Dante’s presence was like a warm cocoon around me, steadying me, but Marcy’s hostility was just as palpable. I felt caught in the middle, unsure of how to mediate.
The tension broke when the door flew open again, and Caius strode in. His expression was tight, his eyes darting immediately to Marcy before settling on Dante.
“Where’s Father?” he asked abruptly.
Dante straightened in his seat, his brows furrowing. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at Blanc Paradiso?” “Dad called,” Caius said, his voice clipped. “Said to come back. Something about an emergency.”
Dante’s frown deepened. “I haven’t seen him since four this morning.”
Before anyone could speak further, the doors opened again–this time with a force that made them rattle on their hinges. Raiden stormed in, his expression thunderous,
The weight of his aura hit me immediately, sharp and oppressive. The scent of leather and whiskey accompanied it, and clutched Castor closer, my stomach churning.”
Dante’s hand was on my back in arkinstant, his pheromones washing over me like a shield. His scent–woodsy, warm, and steady–wrapped around me, creating a barrier that softened the impact of Raiden’s presence. I relaxed slightly, and even Castor seemed to calm, the bond between us humming faintly.
“What’s wrong?” Dante asked, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the room.
Raiden’s gaze burned as it locked onto Dante. For a moment, I expected Dante to flinch under the intensity of his father’s glare, but he didn’t. He met Raiden’s fury with an almost imperceptible frown.
Raiden drew in a deep breath, visibly reigning in his temper before he spoke. “What the hell were you thinking, Dante?”
“What are you talking about?” Dante asked, his tone even,
Raiden’s eyes narrowed. “The first time–when you flew over the city for Valencia–I could justify it. But the second time?” 1 stiffened, glancing between them. Second time? What second time!
Raiden’s gaze flickered to me, softening briefly before returning to Dante. “Right after the wedding? Do you have any idea the kind of attention you’ve drawn?”
Dante’s expression remained calm, but his hand on my back tensed slightly.
The air in the room seemed to grow colder, and my heart skipped a beat.
