Valerie’s POV
I stared blankly at the wall opposite me. “I need a week to settle things here in Montana. When I’m done here, I’ll come to California so that we can get married.”
Even from the phone, I could hear his smile. “Alright, Val. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call me.”
I wanted to say my goodbyes to Jerry’s parents, the former Alpha and Luna of the Blue Moon. pack. They had been really supportive and caring to Nancy and I after the death of our parents.
Jerry stayed with Nancy till the next day. I mistakenly opened Nancy‘ WhatsApp status to see a short video of the two of them dancing and waltzing as soft music played in the background.
The caption read: Now I can die in peace. ~
M
~
Jerry came home in the evening of the next day. He held an emerald box in his hands, probably as a peace offering.
“Hey, Valerie. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. Nancy was getting worse last night, and she refused to go to the pack clinic. So I had to stay with her till she got better this morning.” He explained softly.
I didn’t reply. I opened the box he had given me to see a beautiful gold necklace. I smiled humorlessly as I recalled that he had bought this gold necklace for Nancy, but she had rejected it, because she preferred diamonds instead. Now he was giving the rejected jewelry to me.
Jerry was starting to get worried. If it were before, I would have started yelling and complaining, but now I hadn’t argued or quarreled with him for missing all those dinner dates. “Valerie, are you…are you mad at me?” He asked.
I lifted an eyebrow at him coolly. “Why should I be? Nancy is very ill, she needs you there at her side.”
He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Probably because he felt that something about my response was odd. Finally he released a breath.
“Thank the moon goddess that you’re not mad,” he started. “It really hasn’t been easy for Nancy. She’s really going through a lot.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I had better things to do than listen to this.
“Then it’s good that you’re always by her side.” I replied, turning to leave.
“Wait Valerie,” Jerry said, quickly grabbing my wrists, making me pause.
“What?” I asked, glancing back with a flat stare.
He was getting worried at my indifferent attitude. “Are you really sure you’re not mad? Because, I don’t know…” He trailed off because now, he was sounding paranoid.
His phone beeped with a message before he could say anything more. “Umm, Valerie? I’ll be going for a conference meeting with other alphas. It’s just for a day.” He informed me, without even glancing at me. He kept texting on his phone, and from the small smile on his lips, it was most likely Nancy.
3:36 pm D
“Okay,” I responded simply. This was good for me; I could use the opportunity to go give his family my goodbyes.
The next morning, I went to inform his parents that I was going on a vacation to California. They were surprised by my words.
“A vacation to California?” Jerry’s mom sounded worried, “Why?”
His parents were not aware of Jerry’s wedding ceremony to Nancy. If they were aware, they would have protested against it and made sure it didn’t hold.
I smiled reassuringly at her. “I just need a little break to unwind.” I lied.
His mother sighed in concern. “Does Jerry know that you’re about to travel for a vacation?”
I lied again, “Yes, he knows”
That was what finally convinced them that everything was fine.
“Is that why Jerry didn’t take you to the alphas‘ conference? Other alphas are going with their mates.” His father asked.
“Yes,” I lied. I didn’t want to tell them that he had taken Nancy along. I saw their pictures on her WhatsApp status this morning.
When I finally got back home, and I finished packing, my phone rang. It was Nancy.
“Hey sis, I just wanted to make sure you’re not feeling bad that Jerry had taken me to the alphas‘ conference, and not you.” She said with mock concern.
I didn’t say anything.
“The meeting is for only the alpha and their mates. But Jerry pleaded with me to come with him. so that I could be by his side.” She taunted me, but I didn’t give her the response she wanted.
“You both have a wonderful time.” I answered calmly, then I disconnected the call.
Immediately I ended the call, a notification popped up on my phone. It was from Jake, a friend of mine in the Healer’s Guild. The Healer’s Guild was a worldwide organization devoted to the healing arts.
Jake was texting me about the Healing Moon Balm. The Healing Moon Balm was a potion that I had made for healing curses wounds and very serious injuries that healed slowly or couldn’t be healed. I had been trying to create a potion for Nancy’s ailment that time.
Jake informed me that someone had submitted my potion as theirs for the Annual Healer’s Award. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
I clenched my fist in rage as I discovered who it was. It was Nancy.
Chapter 4
