An Alpha for Valentine

FOURTEEN

DEVIN



I dashed to Valentine's side, my heart pounding in my chest. Horror seized me as I took in the extent of the damage.

She lay there, unconscious, her body bearing the brutal marks of the unseen assailant's wrath. I couldn't contain the scream that tore from my throat. I was boiling. It was primal and animalistic.

"Help! Get a healer, now!" My voice echoed through the room, urgency lacing every syllable.

Two Pack sentinels burst in. I could register on their faces that look of pure shock at the sight before them.

“Get a healer right this instant if you still wish to breathe,” Desperation drove my every word. They had to move fast if we were to have any hope of saving her.

When they hurried out of the room, I turned back to Valentine. Gently, I cradled her fragile form in my arms, a surge of protectiveness coursing through me. She felt so small, so vulnerable against the backdrop of this violence.

“Valentine, can you hear me?” My sight was blurring, and it was not fair. I had only just gotten her, my mate. I could not lose her now.

Kerri rushed in almost immediately the sentinels left. I watched her hold a hand to her face to avert her gaze upon taking in the intimate scene. She didn't hesitate to call me out.

"Devin, show some modesty. You can't be exposed like this in front of the others." her voice tinged with a mix of concern and reproach.

But my focus remained squarely on Valentine, the world outside fading to a distant murmur. "Kerri," I spoke, my voice edged with defeat, "I failed her. This should never have happened."

Guilt and regret churned within me, threatening to overwhelm me. I should have been there, should have protected her. The weight of my failure pressed down on me, suffocating.

‘This is not your fault,” Kerri tried to pacify me, but in truth, that only angered me.

“Do not baby me!” I growled, losing control of my wolf for a millisecond. Bloodthirst and rage were what gave it power. Dangerous power. Kerri instinctively took a step back out of fear. I hated being an animal, but at that moment, I was something much more worse. I had been a failure of a mate, for lack of a better word. “I told Valentine she was seeing things. I blamed her first attack on her nerves when the attacks were clearly real.”

Kerri hesitantly took a step forward and whispered. “We will get to the bottom of the bastard that did this to her. I promise.”

“Will we?” I cradled Valentine’s head back on the tiles now that I could hear footsteps heading our way. A healer was close. I walked up to Kerri and told her what I saw. “My mate was flung around these walls like she was a toy. It was not a mere man or assassin who targeted her. A witch is after my mate.” I giggled at the thought. “A f*****g witch is hellbent on killing what is mine.”

Kerri walked over to the bed and pulled the blanket off. “We will find that witch and burn her at the stake,” Kerri promised before proceeding to drape the blanket in her hand over my naked body. Her movements were deft and purposeful, shielding me from prying eyes just as the sentinels and the healer rushed into the room.

“Goddess,” The healer's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by the severity of Valentine's injuries.

Without wasting a moment, she directed the sentinels to carefully place Valentine onto the bed. Then, with a sense of urgency, she retrieved her med kit and set to work.

"Bring her back," I implored, my voice laced with desperation. I couldn't bear to see Valentine like this, so fragile and broken. “Whatever pills and concoction your ranks be mixing up better work.”

“I will try,” The healer whispered. “I am sure she will survive.”

As the healer worked tirelessly to mend Valentine's wounds and resuscitate her, Jason entered the room. He must have been alerted by the chaos. I was sure by now that the rumors would have spread around the pack house. My brother’s face was etched with concern and confusion when his gaze fell upon Valentine, then flicked to me. The lines on his forehead told me he was boiling, which was weird and oddly comforting to see, considering he despised my mate. Jason wanted answers, and boy, was I ready to answer them.

I took Jason by the arm and led him out of the room. The last thing I needed was another rumor to burn across this house.

“What in fresh hell happened to the Monarch girl?”

"A witch is using magic to harm Valentine," I revealed, keeping my voice hush-hush even if it was strained with worry. “Considering there are no witches on the premises, I have reason to believe this is the work of a capable witch talented with voodoo dolls. It cannot be a coincidence that this is happening after Yasmin Maplewood knocked us all out and kidn*pped your mate and our brother.”

“What are you saying, Devin?”

"I'm saying I am going to pay a visit to the Primrose coven."

Jason's brows furrowed in concern, and he shook his head. "Devin, that's a reckless plan. You know how delicate our relations are with the witches, especially after the Maplewood incident. Starting another conflict could have dire consequences."

Kerri, who had been listening, nodded in agreement. "He's right, Devin. It's a risk we can't afford to take right now. We might not want them as allies, but we definitely do not want a whole coven as our enemies."

Frustration gnawed at me. "So what do you suggest, Jason? Just sit back and wait while my mate is in danger? Wait for another attack to come?"

Jason's expression softened, and he sighed. "Maybe... maybe you're right. Perhaps a friendly visit to the Primrose Coven is in order. We need to ensure Valentine's safety. She is the second Luna of this, and after what a member of that coven has put this family through, they owe a favor or two."

I nodded, grateful that Jason understood the gravity of the situation. “Thank you for having my back on this, Jason.”

***

It took hours, but the healer kept her word. Valentine was stable and started healing on her own. She would be back and kicking in two days tops. But she was still unconscious.

“When will she wake up?” I asked the healer.

“Her injuries are severe. I believe this is her body’s way of protecting itself. Our Luna should come about once some of the pain subsides.” The healer replied, taking a bow before exiting the room with the sentinels that she came with.

I reached for Valentine’s hand and squeezed it tight. Her mind was in shambles. She was scared in there. So scared. It made me angry, and I wondered if I could wait for Jason to secure a meeting with Quentin, an elder of the coven.

“Are you alright?” A familiar voice asked me. I turned to look and saw Kerri standing by the door frame.

“No,” I confessed. “I can see into her mind. Despite the anesthetics that have been given to her, she is still in a lot of pain. What kind of monster would do this to her? She has never done anything to hurt anyone.”

“It will be fine,” Kerri told me.

Kerri's words were meant to offer comfort, but they rang hollow, like rehearsed lines in a play. The ache in my chest persisted, unyielding. I didn't want things to be fine. What I craved was vengeance, a reckoning for the pain inflicted upon Valentine. In truth, it would have been simpler if Ginger Maplewood were still within our pack. Yet, there was the chilling possibility that either she or her mother held a hand in this. Trust, already fractured, was not easily repaired.

"Has Jason reached out to those godforsaken witches?" I asked, my voice taut with a mix of frustration and urgency.

"Yes," Kerri affirmed, her eyes focused, her steps deliberate as she approached the bed. "That's actually why I'm here. Jason has managed to secure a meeting with the Primrose coven. They're anticipating your arrival."

I turned my gaze to Valentine, my heart clenching at the sight of her swollen and bruised features. Anger surged through me, coursing hot and fierce. I balled my fists, struggling to contain the rage that threatened to consume me.

"Kerri," I began, my voice steady but laced with a plea, "I need you to watch over Valentine for me. Guard her with your life."

Kerri's eyes met mine, resolute and determined. "You have my word, Devin. I'll protect her with everything I have."

I got up from the side of the bed and pulled Kerri into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Kerri. Your support means more than you know."

She returned the hug, her arms firm around me. "Don't trivialize our relationship, Devin. We're in this together. You should go to Jason. This meeting is crucial. We'll hold the fort here."

I nodded. “Thank you, Kerri.”