VALENTINA

"Fine?" Audrey's eyes filled with disbelief. "After everything that bastard did to you, how can you sit so calmly, Val? You should take revenge!" she suggested strongly. Her eyes blazed with venomous fury and felt capable of burning anything.

I shook my head, hugging my knees closely. "No, Rey, not at the moment, at least," I murmured. "I don't want to do anything with him-not even for a second."

"So you're letting him go just like that after he broke you like this?" Audrey sounded disappointed and frustrated.

"I never said that." I looked up at her, my stance serious and determined. "Atlas will pay for what he did; it's just not now."

"At the moment, I only want to focus on myself and my loved ones. I want to concentrate on reconnecting with my inner self. Trying for revenge now will only cause problems; besides, I can't directly prove anything against him. So, a clean break is the best outcome for now," I explained word by word.

Rey stayed silent for some time, and then, moving closer to me, she held me in a soothing embrace. Dropping a kiss on my cheek, she smiled cheerfully. "You're absolutely right, Val; we should focus on you more and not on that dickless bastard!"

I chuckled at how she cursed him and honestly, it feels so good. "You're right, that he is. He was not only petty and vengeful but also a complete fraud. As an Alpha, he was weak and pathetic." I let out my inner frustration before my best friend. "He was a pathetic manipulator who thinks he is the best! That bastard is so full of himself! Goddess knows how I fell for that fat-headed idiot and even thought he was my forever kind of love?-Geez, what was wrong with me?"

"Val, nothing was wrong with you. You only responded to your mate bond, which is very normal for any wolf. Besides, you loved him with all your heart. He was the one who never deserved you." She comforted me and added, "I believe that good and kind-hearted people always deserve good in their lives and you're an amazing person, Val, you'll definitely have your second chance who will literally kiss the floor you walk on."

"I'm sure you'll have someone stronger, perhaps as strong as the Lycan King!"

Audrey's cheerful words soothed my heart, and I felt much better after venting to her. And maybe someday I'll have my second chance, turning Rey's wish into the unbound truth of my life, but at the moment I'm not eager to think of romance at all.

Perhaps never-not after suffering enough because of this. But I didn't say it aloud before her. I didn't want to disrupt her cheerfulness.

"Okay, so-do you want to go out and relax?" Rey suggested with expectant eyes. "You've returned to the pack after two long years; don't you want to see how much things have changed here?"

Well, not a bad idea. For the entire week, I kept myself locked in one room. I think I should go out for some fresh air. Therefore, I immediately agreed. "Sure, let's go!"

"How about we go to Z&Z, our favourite chicken shop? I'm craving some delicious chicken fries," I expressed, knowing how much Rey loves that place, as do I. I've missed eating there.

However, unexpectedly, her beaming face fell, and she stiffened slightly, trying her best to conceal it, but she couldn't deceive my eyes.

"Wh-why don't we go somewhere else?" she said, trying to control her shaky voice. "A few more chicken shops have opened, and they're amazing!" She clearly wasn't comfortable with the mention, and it bothered me.

The girl who is literally ready to die to go to Z&Z is suddenly declining to go there. I felt a little strange and asked, "What's wrong with Z&Z? It's been two years since we went there together; I thought you'd be excited to go to our usual place."

Her face turned slightly pale, and she hurriedly left my bed and walked toward my walk-in closet. "Oh, come on, what would it be?" she gave a stiff chuckle. "I'm just saying there have been a few more new shops you may want to try."

"Now come on, you should get ready." Changing the topic, she walked into my closet, and I followed.

Unlike her, I couldn't ignore the topic. I needed to learn what was going on. Without minding her muttering nonsense to avoid the topic, I grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to me to face me.

"Rey, what are you hiding?" I asked seriously. "And before you try adding more nonsense to avoid the topic, I should remind you that, as the heiress and your future Alpha, you are bound to answer me," I demanded, knowing she wouldn't otherwise.

Audrey sighed deeply, and her beautiful brown eyes teared up as her head hung low. "It's nothing to tell, actually," she muttered, looking up. "It's just-some she-wolves don't like me, so-"

"So they're bullying you, aren't they?" By her tone, I understood the meaning behind "don't like." Anger pulsed within my veins.

Because Audrey was a low-ranking wolf, she had always been a target for bullying, but her closeness with me had prevented them from hurting her by any means. However, after I left the pack, she was alone, and people might give her a hard time. If I'm not wrong, it's been frequent in Z&Z. No wonder she was trying to avoid that place.

"Hey, don't bother about it," Her soft voice made me watch her, and she flashed me a smile, slowly wiping the corner of her eyes. "It's nothing serious, and nothing that I, your best friend, can't handle!" She brushed it off and turned to pick up clothes for me, eliminating my gaze.

I said nothing and joined her as if I had slid it off, but in reality, I hadn't. I couldn't ignore the matter.

Guilt and remorse crushed me, seeing her dreadful eyes. Two years ago, I turned into a selfish bitch and escaped for my own life, not thinking about my family and best friend, which made them suffer.

But now I have returned, and I'll make sure to take care of my loved ones in my own way. I'll make sure whoever hurt my sweet friend, would pay a huge fucking price for it.

VALENTINA

Audrey and I went out. She took me to the new chicken shops. I liked them, but the taste of Z&Z is the best. Though I desired to go to Z&Z, I didn't want to make Rey uncomfortable. I must find out what's going on.

She also showed me the new park in the pack, and it looked fun. We visited the parlour for a spa also, I cut my hair short just like before and to enhance it more I got some highlights as well. This new look of mine gave me more confidence and added meaning to my new beginning.

Then, Rey took me to the biggest mall in our city, located in our pack. The mall was the same, just a bit renovated.

"Oh wow," I gasped at the new lounge of sundresses. They are my favourites since Grimaker is a more humid city. "Let's buy some!" I excitedly wanted to go there, but Rey dragged me in the opposite direction.

"No, let's go there!" She pointed at the gown boutique. "This is the new one from the best designer, Sasha! I've always wanted to go there, but I never had a chance. Let's go, come on!"

Rey almost dragged me without giving me a chance to refuse. The boutique had a classy and modern decor, with amazing gowns on display as I looked around.

"But these are not regular dresses, and I don't think we have any functions for them recently." I shrugged. "I prefer sundresses!"

"Oh, come on, just pick one dress for yourself. They're so good; just look at them!" Rey was strangely excited about this.

No doubt the dresses are beautiful, but I see no need. I mean, where would I wear them? So I shook my head: "Well, I'm going to buy sundresses. These are nice, but not necessary."

As I turned to leave, I heard, "Who said they're not needed? You need them tonight-"

As soon as those words reached my ears, my head snapped toward Rey, who immediately bit her tongue and smiled sheepishly under my narrowed eyes.

"What's actually going on? What are you hiding?" I demanded, and Rey sighed, shaking her head helplessly.

"Can I hide anything from you at all, Val?" She murmured slowly.

"I don't think so," I raised an eyebrow and folded my arms across my chest. "Now spill the beans."

"Okay, so-Alpha has planned a welcome party for your return, which is tonight; that is why we are here to buy you a dress." She said, with a dropped expression, "It was supposed to be a surprise, yet here I am, having messed it all up! Ugh!"

"Now Alpha will think I am so useless!" She sulked, looking so flustered and disappointed.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her childishness. "Hey, it's alright. In fact, I prefer this to a surprise. These days, I don't like surprises much."

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secre,." I promised, and it finally brought a smile to her face. "Now come on, let's buy gowns for both of us!" I pulled her with me into the store.

I started choosing dresses for us. Audrey isn't just my friend; I consider her my sister, and we grew up together. I always share everything with her. Not my old things, but I always bought an extra piece for her, so I know what suits her best.

Tonight, she will be coming with me, so I started picking out gowns for her to try on. I also picked a few for myself, and we entered the fitting rooms.

As we tried on the dresses, we both liked the soft, golden mermaid gown for Audrey. However, I didn't like any of them, so, asking her to wait, I went to pick up something else. Then, a deep burgundy bodycon dress caught my attention. It looked so gorgeous and somehow reminded me of myself.

Previously, I tried to mould myself according to Atlas, who wanted a soft, subtle, and submissive Luna who wouldn't have a voice and would be seen only beside him. Due to our mate bond and my so-called blind love, I accepted his every wish, suppressing my true self without realizing the truth behind his selfishness and cruelty.

But now, those days are gone. I have learned that no matter what happens, one must not suppress themselves for anyone. Therefore, I embraced myself.

I picked up the dress. Even without trying it on, I knew this was going to be my perfect dress.

Suddenly, some commotion caught my attention, and I realized it was coming near the trial rooms.

Wait, I left Rey there! Hurriedly, I returned to the changing area, and what I saw boiled my blood with anger and frustration.

A few she-wolves were trying to take off Audrey's clothes from her in public, harassing her. The worst part was that no one was trying to help Rey; for some reason, they looked scared.

"Remove the dress," One of the girls spoke, and she looked like the leader of the group. "A pathetic low-rank like you does not deserve this designer dress! How dare you even enter this place? Are you here to steal, huh?"

"Where is the manager?" The arrogant girl barked, "Do you have no security here? How can this low-rank girl get inside this place?"

Audrey was terrified, trying her best to hold the dress since she wasn't wearing anything underneath but underwear.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked helpless. At the moment, no one had to tell me that these were the bullies she was talking about.

It's new to this pack; at least two years ago, there were no bullying incidents in this pack, and all lived in harmony. Besides, these girls seem new and much younger than we are.

As one of the minions tried to push Audrey, I stepped in and knocked the girl to the floor with one push. I may be wolfless now, but I still have my hardcore combat skills from my upbringing.

"Stay away," I said, threateningly, pulling Audrey behind me.

The place turned pin-dropped silent. My gaze then fixed on the spoiled brat who seemed to be the leader of her petty group.

"And you, how dare you touch my friend?" I demanded. "Who gave you the right?"

The girl was shocked by my stance; clearly, no one had ever defied her. Well, she surely had never faced the pack's heiress, either.

But soon, her lips curled into a mocking smirk as she watched me up and down. "And who might you be? Her saviour? Who looks even more pathetic than her?"

I smiled calmly and stepped forward. "Oh, sweetheart, this is our first meeting, so I won't be rude. But next time, you should know how to talk to the pack's heiress and her people."

Her expression turned confused as she frowned, "what do you mean?"

My lips twitched slightly. "I mean, I am the Alpha's daughter. I am Valentina Rodriguez."

Several gasps fell around us, people were shocked to hear me. The girl and her minions were puzzled as well. However, soon, the arrogant girl laughed out, pointing at me. "Alpha's daughter? What a pity." She sneered, sending me a heated stare, "A disfigured, wolfless, petty omega, claiming herself as the Alpha's daughter-hahaha."

Her flatterers joined her in the laugh, and she stepped toward me, eyeing me again. "You must be new to this pack, so you should know who I am. I am the Alpha's daughter," she demanded.

What the fuck?! Shocked, I stared at the girl in disbelief.

"I am the heiress of the Ebbon Moon Clan!" she said arrogantly. "And all of you must kneel before me!" she announced proudly.

"Now, both of you, submit." Her words hit my ears, and I felt as if my ears were bleeding from her lies.

Fury rushed through my veins, and my lips curled in cold annoyance. "Want us to submit? Here, take it."

Raising my hand, I landed a hard punch on her sorry face, making her stumble back on the ground.

Gasps echoed around us as all eyes widened. I, however, didn't care and glared at the shameless girls before me. "Dare to talk to me in that tone next time, or bully my people, you'll be scared to look in the mirror for the rest of your life," I warned them icily.

Her nose bleeds at the force of my punch, I wonder what would have happened if I had the strength of my wolf.

But, unexpectedly, the girl didn't back off.

Her eyes blazed with insult. She stood up with the help of her minions and threw a furious look at me. "You-you'll pay the price!" she said, and ran off with her useless team, leaving me all puzzled

How did she dare threaten an Alpha's daughter? What the hell was happening in the pack?!

VALENTINA

I have many questions, yet I hesitate, seeing Rey's devastated situation. She had stopped crying after those girls left, and I paid for both our gowns. Now we are walking toward the jewelry store.

I glanced at Audrey. She was unusually quiet and looked haggard, which heightened my guilt and remorse.

What the bloody hell happened in this peaceful pack after I left?

After a while, I could no longer deny the tension and made her sit on a bench near a food court, looking at her intently. "After that, you must tell me what is going on in this pack," I asked sternly, making my words bear the 'I won't take no for an answer' vibe.

"How dare those girls disrespect the Alpha's daughter, and worse, bullied?" A fit of anger spread within me as I recalled the scene. Those fucking useless bitchs.

Audrey lowered her head; her eyes dimmed as she spoke: "Two years ago, after you left, Alpha fell silent. He stopped going out much and somewhat shut himself in. A year passed like that until, a year ago, a woman named Carmella arrived in the pack with her teenage daughter. I don't know what happened, but she soon caught Alpha's attention. Since then, she has declared herself the Luna candidate, and her daughter, Olivia-the girl you slapped in the boutique-has styled herself as the Alpha's daughter and begun taking over your position."

"That woman, Carmella, openly formed her team and somehow made herself superior. She and the high-ranking wolves started bullying the weak openly, forcing unranked wolves to do hard labour and stealing their belongings, tormenting them viciously." She signed in the end, lowering her head even more.

As I listened, I felt so numb and guilty, as if I were listening to the outcome of my sins.

Two years ago, I left the pack, searching for peace and integrity, only to be trapped by evil and lose most of me. Now, when I finally returned home, I realized that the pack I left had changed for the worse and that it was partly my fault.

I left my father, my best friend, and my pack to suffer when they needed me the most, and karma punished me. If I hadn't left and had perhaps fought with Papa, or been patient, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

I held Rey's hand, "I'm so sorry." I apologized. "Because of me, you've suffered a lot, I'm so so sorry."

Wiping her tears, Rey smiled, pursing her lips. "Don't be sorry, Val. It wasn't your fault. You were grieving as well, and you were somewhat forced to disappear." She pulled me into a warm hug. "But it's all in the past; you're back now, and I'm sure everything will fall into place."

She looked me in the eye: "But promise me you'll never leave again."

"I promise I won't. This time, I'm back not only to my family but also to take over my responsibilities." I said, determinedly, and my words brought a look of reassurance to her face.

"Now come on, let's brighten up our moods with jewelry!" I exclaimed and dragged her to the jewellery store to match our dresses.

Rey and I started choosing jewellery for the welcome party in the evening. I picked up a set that also matched her dress and suited her kind and gentle demeanour. While my eyes caught a simple burgundy sapphire pendant with a gold chain. It's a set with matching earrings, bracelet, and ring, which looked perfect for my attire, as I was thinking of a bold lipstick look.

"Show me this one please," I said and noticed the clerk giving me side eyes. Well of course they would. Audrey is low-rank, and I'm even worse-wolfless.

I didn't bother, though; I kept myself collected and minded my own business.

The clerk took out the set and placed it before me on the counter.

"It's so beautiful! It'll suit you so well!" Rey exclaimed, eyes shining brightly, and I felt the same.

"Okay, I like it. I'll take it." I said, when-

"Actually, pack it for me. I'll be taking it." A mature woman's voice rang in my ears, pausing my movement.

The unexpected part was that, as soon as the voice fell, Rey stiffened. Her hands turned cold and sweaty as they gripped my arm tightly.

I turned to look at the intruder. Surprisingly, the woman wasn't alone. With her was the same girl I had punched in the boutique, Olivia, I think.

"It's her-Carmella," Rey whispered in a shaky voice.

I watched the woman curiously. She appeared to be in her thirties and had a beautiful structure, but nothing extraordinary or remarkable like my mother. Arrogance was her only adornment, worn like her daughter's, with no sign of empathy or a calm demeanour.

It's hard to believe that my father even bothered to look at her.

Carmella gazed up and down, her lips curved to a mocking smirk. Now I know from where her daughter adapted that disgusting sneer.

"B-but ma'am, this lady had taken it first." The clerk said.

"Who? She?" Carmella's smirk deepened. "Are you even in your right mind? Just look at them; do you really believe they are able to pay for it? These two low-rank omegas?"

The clerk, as expected, sent me a distasteful look.

"So shut it and pack it for me." She ordered, ignoring Rey and me completely. Her daughter sneered proudly from the side, which immediately made me chuckle.

Oh, what a fool.

All eyes turned to me, and Carmella frowned with a 'she's gone mad' kind of look in her eyes.

Without a word, I unhesitatingly brought out Papa's black card from my bag and held it before the clerk, freezing everyone, including Carmella and her daughter.

"A-Alpha's card." The clerk gasped, and so did Olivia.

But when someone is determined to cause a scene, they will find any possible way to do it, just as Carmella did.

"This is Alpha's card; how do you have it?" Carmella suddenly shouted, snatching the card from the clerk. "You've stolen Alpha's black card!" She pointed, leaving me speechless.

"Look at her! She's the thief! She has stolen Alpha's card!" Carmella and her daughter started screaming like two maniacs, widening their eyes as if they had discovered a huge crime.

Both Rey and I were dumbfounded, and before I could react, the clerk called for the guards, and people gathered to see the free rig.

The guards came and poked behind me, pushing Rey and me away from the counter.

"Hey, stop it!" Audrey screamed, "She's the Alpha's daughter, your future Alpha!" She cried out desperately only to be mocked and smirked by people. No one believed her.

Everything was happening so fast that I was completely puzzled and wordless.

The guards surrounded us, pushing us to the ground as I gritted my teeth.

"Throw them into the dungeon," Carmella ordered arrogantly. "I'll punish them so hard that no one ever dares to defy me or my daughter, let alone bother the Alpha!"

I tried to struggle, but without my wolf, I had no strength to fight these trained guards. Besides, I am still weak after the first treatment, feeling so helpless and angry.

Just as the guards were about to drag me away, a menacing growl filled the air, shuddering the walls of the entire store.

Immediately, my eyes snapped up, and I noticed Papa at the store entrance exuding his strong and resilient alpha energy.

Everyone froze and instantly dropped to their knees except me, as I stared at my father with teary eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, my papa is here and now, no one can hurt me anymore.