Rise of the Underdogs: VALIK

XX

Her eyes now searched for me every time she exited the school after classes got let out. The building itself was old but sturdy, brick layered over generations of wear, with ivy creeping up the sides like nature trying to reclaim it. Students spilled out of the double doors in waves, laughter and chatter echoing off the concrete courtyard. Heaven always paused at the top of the steps, scanning the crowd until her gaze found mine.

Ember had become closer to me as well, never leaving Heaven alone longer than needed. She’d even joined us on a few dates – not something I was entirely comfortable with, but it worked out.

Movies? Ember would be there, sitting rows away from us just in case she was needed. The theatre was tucked into the edge of town, a retro-style building with flickering neon signs and the scent of buttered popcorn hanging heavy in the air. The seats were worn but comfortable, the kind that creaked when you leaned back too far. Heaven always chose the middle row, dead center, like she wanted to be surrounded by the story.

The fair? Same thing. The fairgrounds were a mess of color and chaos, with flashing lights from the rides, the scent of fried dough and cotton candy in the air, and music blaring from speakers that had definitely seen better days. Heaven loved the carousel, always dragging me toward it with a grin, while Ember kept a watchful eye from the benches near the food stalls.

I really didn’t mind, often extending the invitation to my own friends who eagerly joined in on the fun. Slowly, Heaven started to believe in the Mate bond between us. She started trusting me more and more without questioning me or my methods during training routines with my teammates, my Vampire friends.

Loralei, Samara’s Mate, joined us the week after they arrived, allowing us to double date. The restaurant we picked was small and cozy, tucked between a bookstore and a florist. Dim lighting, mismatched chairs, and the smell of garlic and herbs made it feel more like someone’s kitchen than a business. Heaven always ordered pasta, and Samara insisted on wine even though none of us were technically old enough.

Though Ember was left out of those, she never injected herself into our relationship. Instead, the pack Clairvoyant turned her attention to Peiter, who, shockingly, later told me the girl was his. Not demanding, not laying claim – but his Mate. I handed him some advice and let the pieces fall where they may.

As for Heaven? Well, she started approaching on her own, sometimes sneaking into my room at night just to lay with me until morning. Nothing ever happened, but I knew she was there. Her scent, her softness – it surrounded me like a weighted blanket.

Then came the day, just a few months after my return, that things became strained.

Walking out of the school one Friday, I could clearly see both Heaven and Ember were upset. That, in turn, upset me and Peiter. He was anxious about finding her, finding out that she wasn’t just an Omega, but one who held a shared standing as Omega Matron with my own Mate.

A title and task handed to the girls when Logan started gaining more pack members. His original eight friends held top tier positions, and nothing would ever change that. My joining allowed him to create another position just for me — Captain of the Alpha’s Elite. Something I was insanely grateful for and, at the same time, something I felt I wasn’t entitled to at all.

I was in charge of holding the Alpha’s Elite in check, keeping each member of the crew accountable for every word and action. It wasn’t just about strength — it was about discipline, loyalty, and making sure no one forgot what we stood for.

“What happened?” Peiter asked, his German-Russian accent giving his voice a smooth, clipped rhythm that always made him sound half amused, even when he wasn’t.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Ember snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. “Why not go see that tramp?”

Confusion and hurt tangled in Peiter’s expression, his usual confidence slipping as his face fell. The storm wasn’t over by a long shot, but enough was enough.

“Did… V, did I do something wrong?” he asked, voice low and uneven. I could hear his heart stumble, the rhythm off like a skipped beat in a song.

I grabbed Ember by the arm — firm, not rough — just enough to get her attention. “Drop the attitude and tell us what’s going on, Em. Don’t make me involve Logan, because we both know he won’t stop until the truth burns the world.”

“Your ex-Mate and her i***t friends have started spreading rumors about us that aren’t true. Goddess,” Heaven said, swiping tears from her face with the back of her hand. Her voice cracked, raw and furious. “She’s even started saying that we’re sleeping around. We’re still virgins, for crying out loud!”

Peiter’s face darkened, rage flickering behind his eyes. I stepped in, placing a hand on his chest to hold him back. “Do not make a move. If we act now, everything we’ve built goes down the drain. This needs careful handling, and I know who to talk to. Leave it to me, P.”

He nodded, jaw tight, and moved to the car. He opened the rear door with a quiet gesture. “Ladies?”

My hand still on Ember’s arm, I let out a breath. “This is ending. I promise you that. For now, help keep her grounded. Please?”

Ember glared at me, clearly annoyed, but gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. But you better freaking fix this before I stake Andrast to a tree and set her on fire.”

Peiter’s eyes widened, and he took a respectful step back from his own Mate. “Girl drama is not my thing, but I will not stand in the way.”

Formidable? Absolutely. Terrified of a teen girl who wouldn’t hesitate to send him into the afterlife?

Dude was basically begging for her to spare him.

Finally, he blinked at me in confusion. “I didn’t think of it before, but why ask? Why defer to them?”

Whoops. My bad.

“I forgot to let you know that my brother and his original eight packmates are the highest-ranking members of the Howlers. No one, absolutely no one else is above the original nine founders of the pack,” I advised, rubbing the back of my neck.

Peiter nodded, seemingly understanding the gist of the ranking. “Ah, I see. So our little Mates are part of the highest pack hierarchy?”

“Yes, and I need to salvage this the only way I know how,” I told him, my energy practically draining. The weight of it all settled in my chest like wet cement. Swallowing tightly, I knew there were only two people I could fully trust to help me fix this the right way. “I have to make a call.”

He stopped, blinking at me in concern. “Man, I know you’re the lead, but should I be worried about what you’re planning?”

“Probably,” I admitted.

“And that would be?”

I smirked. “I’m calling in level-headed reinforcements that don’t take s**t like this lying down.”

“Oh, Goddess,” Ember muttered, her eyes going as wide as teacup saucers. “Are you serious? That’s what you’re doing?”

Jake, who showed up a moment before and was watching my face carefully, whistled low. “Damn, Valik. Are you actually going that route? If you are, I want in.”

“Same,” Peiter said, his voice steady but his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

My smirk widened. “Oh, but I am.”

“Hold on,” Peiter murmured. “What route are we talking about?”

‘Heaven,’ I connected with her through a private mind-link. ‘I’m going way above Andrast’s head this time. She’s gotten away with way too much, and I’m taking back my life once and for all.’

I watched her eyes go wider as she finally understood what I was saying. “You’re not just calling in a favour or backup. You’re summoning a two-man cavalry.”

“When, not if, Maria finds out, hell’s gonna break loose. She’s not going to wait for Logan and Hunter to step in if she gets wind of this first. She’ll beat Andrast’s ass and Micah’s, too, if he gets in her way,” Jake muttered. “For now, let’s get the girls home and situated before we call a founders meeting.”