Chapter 8

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?!