AFTER 6 MONTHS~~~
VALENCIA'S POV
"Cia, you got a parcel in your name again," Angela shouted from the hall, and I frowned while making the last stroke on my painting, adding a little shade to the side to make the shadow of the tree.
"Any name?" I asked Angela, who just like always barged into my room with a sheepish smile on her face.
I swear she has won me over with just her smile. If it had been anyone else entering my room without knocking, I would've really seen to it they learned their lesson.
"What are you painting?" Angela walked to my canvas while I looked at the parcel she had in hand.
There was no name on it once again.
And I didn't need anyone to tell me who it belonged to.
I walked to the balcony to open the parcel, ensuring I closed the door so that Angela didn't come around peeking at the letter once again.
"Val,
First, let me tell you, this is going to be a long letter. Open the gift later.
How have you been? Sorry, I couldn't come to check up on you this time again. I will be coming soon though. I haven't heard of any of your mischievous activities at your University recently. It means you are adjusting well among humans like I had guessed.
Now do me a favor, keep staying like this. I have already asked Dad about the transfer program at your University, and you will be transferred to the University sponsored by the council in your second year.
Keep acting cute and like a human for these 6 months too. You will be able to do that, right? Dad says hi and asks if you want some pocket money. Yeah, we know you are earning through your hard work but still….
The last report you sent about the rogues was well received by the council members, and Marcus wants to appeal to enhance your perks as the council's official spy. Poor guy still doesn't know it was you who made the report.
We have suppressed the news. No one knows about you. Would you be down for a spying mission? It's near your place and you won't have to go anywhere. Do let me know through another letter.
It would've been better if I could get your number. This letter thing is really risky.
Anyway, take care and eat healthy. I hope you are not stealing food anymore and being a nuisance to the alphas.
Love you,
Your crush,"
The letter brought a smile to my face before I pulled out the lighter from my pocket and burnt it.
No, I don't smoke. I keep a lighter, well, just because it keeps in handy sometimes, just like the three wolfsbane daggers that I still keep by my side just in case.
"Cia, what are you hiding from me? Is it a love letter again?" Angela asked, banging the balcony door softly as she watched me burn the letter again.
I smiled and shook my head at her before opening the so-called gift from Uncle Jonathan.
It was a beautiful pair of raindrop earrings.
That day after Dylan found me, the first thing he did was smack my head and ask me why I didn't go looking for them.
When I expressed my concern about being a rogue and rejecting an Alpha that was highly frowned upon as she-wolves are still expected to bear all the humiliation and stay true to their bonds in this modern world, Dylan only had one thing to say.
"If it were in my hands, I would keep you in the council in a heartbeat. But I don't want people to think I am taking advantage of the situation and you rejected your alpha mate because of me. So let's give it some time,"
Yes. That was the only thing he said before he literally kidnapped me and took me to the cottage that belonged to the council chambers.
I got quite a scolding from Uncle Jonathan.
I didn't want to live in any packs, unsure how they would treat me after knowing my secret, and that's why only Uncle Jonathan and Dylan knew about it.
I came here to live among humans, studying in an all-human University.
I was their unofficial worker too and only three people knew about me so far in the council.
Uncle Jonathan, Dylan, and Marcus (who still don't know who V is).
"Cia, we are getting late for the classes already. Let's go," Angela said, and I opened the balcony door.
She eyed the gift in my hand immediately.
"Is it your secret lover? You already burnt the letter. Tell me it's true," She beamed at me, truly invested in the lies I told her as I gave the gift to her.
Angela was a human, just like her boyfriend and everyone near me here, and had no idea about supernatural species like werewolves.
That was why whenever I received a letter from the council under no name, I just told them it was someone who had been writing to me for quite some time, and I didn't even know who that was.
Yes. I was breaking laws by living among humans, but who cares? It wasn't my fault that the werewolves couldn't accept me. I had a full right to live in a society that would accept me as it was, without bullying me.
There were times when I met quite a few werewolves in this area too, but they couldn't recognise my scent.
'The pendant in your neck won't protect you for the rest of your life,' Aurora reminded me, and I rolled my eyes at her for bursting my happy bubble.
She was right. The reason no one could find out about me for the last six months was because of the scent pendant on my neck that hides my scent and lets me adapt to the scent of the environment I am in.
"Babe, are you ready?" Casper rushed to our room before attacking Angela into a bear hug, making me smile as I looked at the couple.
"Hey, no boys allowed inside the house," I wriggled my brows at Angela, who blushed hard.
"Hi, Cia," Casper walked to me with his open arms, making me widen my eyes as I dodged his hug.
"Hehe, come to your brother from another mother," Casper teased me, knowing all too well how much I hate people invading my personal space.
"I swear if you needed me, Casper, I would steal your girlfriend and run far away," I threatened as I distanced myself and stood behind the couch just in case.
Casper looked at Angela who didn't look like she had any problems with my arrangements.
"I don't doubt that," he said before he kissed the corner of her lips.
"What's this, babe?" He asked, his gaze shifting to me.
"Yeah yeah, I got a lover on the loose, now can we leave?" I asked, my mind going to what Dylan asked me.
Should I really take this opportunity to make more money?
'Yes, make more money. I want a luxurious life,' My materialistic Aurora said, and I sighed.
"Are you sure we don't need to report it? I mean, it can be a stalker with some ill intentions for all we know. And not all stalkers are romantic husband material," Casper said, the last line directed to Angela who is a little too infatuated with stalker stories and is a big fan of dark romance.
"I got it covered. Don't worry about it. I kind of have an idea who it is. I am just waiting for that person to reveal themselves and make a move," I smiled, making them grin back at me.
"By the way, Angela, do you know that an audit check will happen soon? We don't know who will come from the founders, but the dean is quite serious about it," Casper talked to his girlfriend, making me press my lips into a thin line as he shifted his gaze to me.
I knew where he was going. Staying out of trouble didn't mean I was the best student in the University.
You can say that the addition of half of the class's demerit points was on my name alone, and a few more would land me in deep trouble.
"Ohh, it's decided just some random founder's secretaries of the University would be arriving with his audit team," Angela said as she read the post, and I hummed.
Well, who cares? It's not like they can catch me. I'll just take a leave for the said lectures like I always do when this audit happens.
I mean, I know they can't smell me because of my scent, but it's better to be safe than sorry, right?
"Guys, you know what? I actually feel my stomach aching terribly. I'll have to return to the room," I said, ready to leave when Angela held my hand.
"Unfortunately, the dean says that there will be 50 points of demerits, and 100 deductions in internal marking if anyone is absent," Angela said, and I furrowed my eyes in frustration.
Seriously? Uhhh, why was this day starting in annoying terms?
"By the way, Cia, what did you decide about the gig I told you about? I showed your paintings to the man, and he was quite fond of them. I think he wants to buy some of your work," Casper said, and I hummed.
"Did you mention that I am not down for a meeting? I don't want anyone to know who I am or my name," I asked.
"Don't worry. I will be your dealer. All I need is one trip in return. You know Angela's mom will let her go on the trip only if you are coming," Casper looked at me with puppy eyes, and I rolled my eyes before humming.
'Valencia, let's move out of here,' Aurora suddenly said, and I furrowed my brows at her sudden concerned voice.
'What happened, Aurora? Do you smell some cat food?' I joked, but when I didn't hear any response from the other side, I knew it was serious.
'What's wrong?' I asked her.
'I don't know but my instincts strongly tell me that we shouldn't be here. Let's go inside the class already. I don't feel good. Like something bad is about to happen,' Aurora said, and I hummed, listening to her this time.
ALPHA MAVERICK'S POV
"Alpha, the rogues are captured," Shadow walked inside my office, and I raised my brows at him.
"Is that so?" I asked, leaning back in my seat while he looked at me before shaking his head.
The indication was clear. These rogues didn't belong to the group I have been trying to look for so many years.
"Their crimes?" I asked, taking off my coat and placing it on the chair before I rolled my sleeves up and walked out of the office to the center of the pack where we usually deal with the rogues.
Seeing my people gathered around in a circle, who immediately bowed down to me as soon as I reached there, I nodded at them.
"Theft, r*pe, multiple murders," Shadow uttered their crimes one by one, and I quirked my brows.
"Quite a piece of shit, I must say," I said.
"Do you have anything to plead?" I looked at the rogues, who gulped, their forms trembling already.
"P-please give us a chance. We will repent. We won't commit the same mistake again. Please, believe us," one of the rogues said, joining his hands to ask for mercy, and a scoff left my mouth.
Repent? Do they even know the meaning of this word?
"I will give you that chance," I smirked, the rogues looking up with hope.
I know my pack members were curious too. Why? Because there were no second chances in my eyes for crimes like these rogues committed.
Then again, aren't all these rogues the same? What difference do they have? Everyone is a pathetic soul who has committed one crime or the other, always trying and finding ways to hurt the pack wolves.
"We are ready to do anything for that chance, sir," The rogues said, and I nodded.
"Since you said you would repent, I want you to bring back those people you murdered. Bring them back to life. And while you are at it, take out that trauma you forced into those she-wolves you r*ped," I said, and they looked at each other.
"Not willing? I have other options too," I smiled and looked at one particular rogue, the one that looked the most cunning out of all.
"You look like the most innocent rogue here. If you kill the other three rogues, I will think of giving you a chance to live," I said, and as soon as those words left my mouth, Shadow threw the dagger in front of the rogue.
The rogue didn't even flinch before he stood and killed the other three rogues in cold blood, making me smile.
"I will get to live now, right?" The rogue looked at me, and I chuckled.
'What a piece of shit. No wonder these rogues can't be trusted,' Reaper, my wolf, chuckled, and I smiled.
"I thought about it. But you are unworthy of it," I said.
The rogue's eyes turned dark.
"You cheated me!" He rushed to me with the knife in his hand, a big mistake I must say.
Right as he reached a few inches proximity from me, the guards around me jumped on him, shredding him limb to limb. Well, that was quick.
"Case closed. Discard the bodies," I said, walking back to the office, the people howling in joy, making me sigh.
These people were really becoming a bit too loving of bloodshed. No wonder the other packs and their people think we are weird and dangerous.
I shook my head before wiping my hands and drinking some water.
"What else is scheduled for the day?" I asked Shadow, who looked back at me with a tired sigh.
It was just the beginning of the day and we were already tired like this. Things have been really hectic these days.
"In the meeting for the alphas that was held last night, a strange issue was raised. It was raised as a joke, but it soon became a serious topic because of how most of the alphas suffered from it," Shadow said.
A strange issue? What is that even supposed to mean?
"What is it?" I couldn't help but ask, looking at the reports on the rogues of the west that once again tried to invade our security system and led to some fatalities.
They were seriously getting on my nerves these days. How much I wished I could just punish and wipe all these rogues with my bare hands.
"There is a rogue on the loose who is stealing things from the packs. Mostly it's food, but the way it enters the packs and leaves without leaving a trace and hasn't been found for so long raises an issue," Shadow said, and I hummed.
"So is the incapability of those alphas to catch a rogue the strange factor, or the fact that the rogue only steals food is the strange factor?" I asked.
Shadow didn't say anything for a few seconds, and I raised my gaze at him.
"Do I need to repeat my question, Shadow?" I asked, the anger in my voice making him flinch, and I sighed.
Having my people fear me was the last thing I wanted to happen.
"It's a she," He said, and I furrowed my brows.
A she? A rogue she-wolf was so efficient and unfathomable that so many strong packs weren't able to catch her. Wasn't it a slap to their so-called security system and their male ego?
I looked at Shadow, ready to tell him to tell the rogues to schedule a meeting with me when I noticed he had something else to say.
"What is it?" I asked, taking another sip of my water.
"It's a cat, sir," Shadow said, and I spat the water in my mouth, looking at him while coughing.
Did I hear him right?
"Are you joking with me?" I asked, stupefied.
Shadow looked down at his feet.
He wasn't joking? Were those alphas and their packs really not able to catch a cat? It has to be some kind of joke.
I was about to speak up when Greta entered the room, making me look at him.
"Sir, a mysterious case has been sent to us through a fax. We asked the IT department to look into it, and it's from the council. We also received the call from a council member who didn't want to disclose his identity," Greta said.
I looked at Shadow, who had the same expression as me.
"What kind of case? If the council really wanted to report a case to us, why didn't they use their official credentials?" I asked, finding it quite peculiar.
Do they think we are really that free that we would solve just any unofficial case of theirs? After our pack became the strongest pack, things were already hectic, not to mention this constant investigation on the rogues that should've been the council's job too.
They really take us for a joke just because they are backed by the werewolf palace, no?
'Are they looking down upon us?' Reaper didn't like this situation either, and I understood his annoyance. Because of being cramped up in the office for so many hours with the paperwork, I haven't been able to give him enough outings these days. And a beast wolf-like Reaper thrives in forests. We are predators for a reason.
"It's a case related to a rogue. It says there is a chance that a rogue lives in the human area and is studying at an all-human University. Whoever this member is probably acting like a whistleblower. I am not sure," Greta said, his words shocked me.
What did he say? A rogue was breaking werewolf laws by living among the humans, and he was doing that in an all-human University?
Just who the heck this rogue was?
"Which university is lenient enough to admit a werewolf? Then again, how can I blame them when they can't even recognize werewolves? Do we need to inspect all the Universities in this state?" I asked them, moving my hand through my hair before looking at Shadow.
However, something felt amiss.
The expression Greta had didn't look too good. It was even worse than the one Shadow had when he told me the alphas were annoyed by a cat.
"Is there something else I should know, Greta?" I asked, standing from my place and walking towards him in slow strides.
My Gamma immediately looked down, and I knew my suspicions were right.
"Which University are we talking about here, Greta?" I asked.
"Sir, we will look into -"
"I asked which university, Greta," I seethed, slightly angry.
"The one sponsored by you," Greta said in the smallest whisper, and I stood frozen in my place.
What did he say? It was hard for me to believe.
"I dare you to repeat it," I growled, kicking the chair in front of me.
Why the heck do these rogues think they are above us? Was obeying laws so f*cking hard?!
A rogue was living among humans, breaking laws, and being in the University sponsored by me under my mother's name?! The nerve of this rogue!!
If this wasn't the direct provocation then what was? I felt anger consuming my head and my eyes must've darkened already as Reaper took it as a direct challenge.
"Didn't Suzen visit the university a couple of days ago to talk about the trips and annual talent competition? Was she not able to smell the rogue scent in the University?" I asked, trying to be as calm as possible.
Was my team so incapable that they couldn't smell a rogue in the University when they visited almost every two weeks?
Just how was this possible?
"Could it be that the rogue deliberately takes leaves on the said days?" Greta said.
That could be the only possibility. But still, they should've been able to smell the lingering scent…
"Who is going for the audit?" I asked, and Greta looked at me before telling me the few names.
"Cancel it. This time I will go to the audit personally. I want to see and catch this rogue personally who dared to mess with me," I said, an evil smirk already playing its way on my lips.
I would like to shred this rogue with my bare hands who thought it was alright to live and break rules right under my nose.
Please keep commenting to let me know what you think of this book. It really means a lot to me.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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