I was looking at the ceiling of my den and thinking about Valerie's revelation that Derek was the one who gave orders for my killing at sight. My thoughts were interrupted by Valerie's soft snores and she was peacefully sleeping in my arms.

All my life, I thought Gavin and Aria betrayed me. What if Valerie is correct and it was all Derek's doing behind my rogued years? He was the only witness to my innocence and he was the one who advised me to flee. Now that I recall the night, I remember being suspicious about the fear Aria, Gavin, and Derek were radiating. At that time, I thought they were scared of my wrath but now I know they were hiding the news of the twins from me.

I don't know why there were speculations about Gavin and Aria's baby. I heard they had a baby girl and now Valerie told me they had twin boys.

I think it was Derek's ploy to remove Gavin and Aria's security when he heard about my visit to them. It seems like Derek didn't want anyone to see what happened after I stormed out of Aria and Gavin's place. And now I've understood why Derek visited them right after me because he had a sinister plan to murder. them and make it look like I was to blame. While thinking about whether it was worth fighting with Derek, I passed out.

As I opened my eyes, the sunlight was so bright that I squinted. Valerie was pacing around the room, fully dressed with her shoes on, and she had her phone and bag in hand. I sat up and asked. "Where are you headed?"

Valerie glanced at me. "I told you that I'd discuss it with my dad regarding you."

I gave a disapproving shake of my head. "I already said that it's not worth it."

Valerie casually rested her hands on her waist. "Why shouldn't I go? Give me a single good reason."

I let out a deep breath. "I hate to break it to you, but the Midnight pack isn't exactly equipped to do anything against the alpha of the Blackthorn pack, so..."

Valerie cut me off. "Well, if the moon goddess is offering you a second chance to reclaim your position, it seems like you're not really mustering up the courage to acknowledge it."

I arched an eyebrow. "The moon goddess is the one responsible for putting me in this situation, so I refuse to acknowledge any of her manipulations."

Valerie raised her hands. "I can't live like this. I was just waiting for you to wake up so I could say goodbye to you and now I am going to Rosalie."

She turned around and marched toward the door. I climbed out and draped the sheet around my waist. "Wait, what do you mean by I can't live like this?"

Valerie turned around. "I can't live like hiding or running for the crime; my mate never did it."

I was taken aback. "You still consider me your mate? Your not mad at me?"

Valerie smiled with tears in her eyes. "I was never mad at you, Raven. I was hurt and Rosalie has done an amazing job of putting me out of all my miseries and now I have the courage to visit my pack again."

I asked. "So you still have feelings for me?"

Valerie raised her hands. "My feelings for you never fade away and now even you can't deny your feelings for me so it would be..."

I interrupted her and went over to her, embraced her in my arms and kissed her. She eagerly kissed me back, fully embracing her desires as our kiss intensified. It went from gentle to passionate, with our tongues entwined and our hands exploring each other's bodies. While kissing, I noticed I was madly in love with her gardenia kind of smell. We were both becoming breathless when she pushed me away just as I was about to remove her top.

Valerie pointed at me. "Don't you dare to orchestrate this sex trap to stop me."

I raised my hands and asked. "Do you really think your dad would listen to you and believe it?"

Valerie crossed her arms against her beautiful chest. "Have you ever seen any alpha who sent his daughter away for her happiness?"

I shook my head.

Valerie smiled. "My dad had been an alpha of the midnight pack for ages and you actually underestimate his powers. I am sure he will give me a solution to my problem."

I sighed. "Okay, I am not stopping you but you have to agree on my one condition."

Valerie raised her brow. "What is it?"

I looked at her. "I am coming with you."

Valerie asked. "You know it is not safe for you to go there. You are more safe here until I prove your innocence."

I shook my head. "I don't care; I have a lot more reasons to go with you than stay here."

Valeria sighed. "Name a few."

I pointed at her. "Ellis would be there, so I want to be with you for moral support, and your pack lives quite far away from these woods, so anything may happen to you, like encountering rogued wolves or human hunting, among other possibilities."

Valerie chuckled. "Are you jealous of Ellis?"

I looked into her eyes without blinking. "Why would I be jealous of someone who doesn't have you?."

Valerie kissed me. "But you need to put on something; we can't go like this."

I rushed into the bathroom. "Yeah, give me a few minutes."

After approximately thirty minutes, we arrived at Rosalie's doorstep. I knocked and she shouted. "Come on in, you maniac!"

I heard Valerie's laughter as we entered the house. Rosalie was comfortably lounging on her favorite hammock, engrossed in her reading. I cleared my throat to get her attention. She glanced in our direction and gave us a warm smile. "Oh, I didn't realize you guys were thinking about coming to say goodbye. How sweet!"

Valerie seemed surprised and asked, but for me, it was just a regular thing happening. "How did you figure that out?"

Rosalie set the book aside. "I have my ways for finding out certain things. I wonder, Valerie, how did you manage to persuade this maniac to go back and reclaim what he rightfully deserved?"

Valerie sighed. "You know what? It's all because of you. Your spell really did something and gave me the strength to go and reunite with my pack."

Rosalie flicked her hand and laughed. "Sweety, I did nothing; you were the ones who mustered the courage; I merely assisted you in recognizing what you already possessed."

I looked at Rosalie. "You better give me your number so..."

Valerie interrupted. "What? Rosalie had a phone all this time and I didn't know about it?"

I moved my eyes back to Valerie. "Yeah, she has some important city people to get in touch with."

Valerie's eyes widened. "And because of Rosalie, you knew about the place where I was able to use my phone."

I nodded and then I looked at Rosalie. "And if that city guy hurts you, just don't forget to turn him into a smelly rat."

Before Rosalie responded once again, Valerie jumped in. "Is he your boyfriend? What is his name? What does he do? How does he look? And..."

I kept my hand on Valerie's shoulder. "How could you ask a series of questions in one breath?"

Valerie and Rosalie giggled.

I shot up my shoulders. "What?"

Valerie repsonded. "We girls have our ways to investigate each other about guys."

Rosalie pointed at Valerie. "Save my number and we'll be in touch."

They exchanged contact numbers and I mentioned to Rosalie the stacks of firewood in my backyard. She responded with a smile. "No need to worry; I won't be requiring any more wood."

I didn't bother asking for an explanation since I knew she wouldn't explain. I simply stood up and bid her farewell.

Rosalie waved at us. "Our paths will cross; don't think you guys are just done with me."

We laughed and then embarked on an uncertain journey.