Chapter 7

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.