Chapter 2
Valerie’s POV
“What’s a gorgeous lady like you doing here all alone?” He asked with a soft smile.
I smiled politely. “My mate couldn’t make it.” I replied.
“Do you mind if I join you then?” He asked softly, with an earnest expression in his eyes.
For some reason, I felt like I could trust him. Something about his eyes and his appearance told me that he was a respectful and kind person.
I nodded, giving him permission to sit. Besides, I needed the company, and he seemed like a pleasant person.
“Thank you, oh where are my manners? I am Alpha Dante Garcia, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack.” He introduced himself with a warm smile. I recognized the name; it was the biggest and strongest pack in California.
“Valerie Hayes,” I introduced myself. I wasn’t using Jerry’s last name because we hadn’t had a formal wedding ceremony yet.
“Valerie,” he repeated softly. The way my name rolled off his tongue sent a small thrill through
- me.
He leaned back slightly, still smiling warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Valerie,” he said sincerely.
Dante had a very easy going personality that made it very easy to talk to him. We spend hours chatting, laughing and exchanging stories.
My phone pinged with a notification. It was a message from Nancy. My smile faded instantly,
~~Jerry said that I should inform you that he won’t be back tonight. I was having some symptoms, and he offered to stay to make sure I was taken care of.~~
I pursed my lips in frustration. Jerry hadn’t even called to cancel, to apologize, to postpone, or anything at all. He didn’t even acknowledge our anniversary dinner.
“Val?” Dante muttered softly, watching me carefully. “Are you okay?”
The frustration and the pain were so much that I found myself pouring out everything to him. How Jerry kept prioritizing Nancy over me, his mate. Dante listened with an intense expression on his face.
When I was done, his jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened slightly.
“That’s unacceptable,” he said firmly, “You deserve to be cherished, Valerie, not cast off and made to feel unwanted.”
I blinked in surprise by the intensity in his voice. He sounded genuinely upset for me, as if he really cared. I flushed.
“It’s complicated,” I said softly. “He’s not a bad person. I think… I think he loves me in his own way, but… but I can’t help but feel that he doesn’t really prioritize or respect me.” I admitted.
For a moment, Dante didn’t say anything. He just kept watching me with an intense look in his eyes that made me wonder what was going through his mind.
Chapter 2
3:36 pm
“Marry me,” he blurted out, leaning forward.
My heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“I know we just met, and it sounds absurd, but there’s just something about you, Val. There’s jus something that makes me want to be with you, to protect you, to treat you as you should be treated.”
I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. His words were so sudden and unexpected “But…but.. don’t you have a mate?” I asked with my eyes wide in shock.
He shook his head, and leaned back with slightly. sad eyes. “Three years ago, she cheated on me, and I rejected her. Since then, I have been without a Luna.” He said with a sigh.
I gasped softly. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
He gave me a small smile and leaned forward. “Val, leave him. He doesn’t deserve you,” he said, *Come to my pack. Be my Luna. I promise you Valeria, I’ll make you happy. I’ll love you with everything that I have.” He swore, his eyes burning with so much sincerity.
My breath caught in my throat. The way he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. However, I wasn’t ready to make that sort of decision. I politely declined Dante’s proposal anc excused myself. He had barely managed to give me his contact before I ran off.
I didn’t see Jerry the next day or the day after. He didn’t text or call me once, and I didn’t either. I was getting fed up with being treated less. The only way I knew that Jerry was still alive was through Nancy’s WhatsApp statuses. I had never been a social media person, but I couldn’t help checking Nancy’s statuses with bitterness in my heart as I watched my mate care for my sister like his own fated mate.
Two days later, Nancy sent me a message. Under the message was a link.
~
The moon goddess has really blessed you with a wonderful mate ~
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. What was she saying?
Nothing in the world could have prepared me for what I saw when I clicked the link.
3:36 pm
Valerie’s POV
