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Valerie’s shock was overridden by fear due to Alessia’s sudden presence. What if she informed Alpha Denzel, and he showed up? Ryker would be dead. He had said through text that he was going to see her tonight, but how could she guess that he was coming to Alpha Denzel’s room?

How could he be so bold? And where was Alpha Denzel? Did he not say that he’d be waiting upstairs?

Valerie panicked and quickly thought of a way to get Alessia out of the room without her informing Alpha Denzel.

"Aless, please let me handle this. Can you help me clean up and finish up in the kitchen? All those maids and warriors guarding the packhouse have to eat. And please don’t forget to send a portion to the twins. They were the ones I rescued during the storm, Christabel and Christopher."

Alessia remembered the twins quite well when Valerie spoke about them. However, they were not her concern at the moment, but the strange man standing in front of the window with his back turned to them.

He showed no fear as his long hair cascaded down his shoulders. Alessia was not comfortable with this kind of intrusion. "Shouldn’t we get Denzel? I can’t leave you here alone."

Valerie forced a smile upon hearing Alpha Denzel’s name once again. It felt as though she was racing against time. To calm Alessia, she could only open up about the truth.

"He’s Ryker. He won’t harm me. Please let me handle this."

Alessia might trust Valerie, but how could she trust this Ryker? Besides, her brother was in love with Valerie, so how could she let another man have her?

"I will get the sweeping brush and dustpan." As soon as Alessia went to do as told, she mind-linked her brother.

’Denzel, where are you? That Ryker guy sneaked into your room without anyone noticing. It’s dangerous.’

Ryker was glad that his back was turned as he mind-linked back.

’Are you serious? I will take care of it.

’ That was a sure way to calm Alessia to not blow the whistle.

It was good, though, that Alessia did not condone another man coming into Alpha Denzel’s room despite her love and trust for Valerie.

Nevertheless, this was between him and Valerie.

Ryker quickly ended the mind-link. At the same time, Alessia returned with the sweeping brush after dropping the food she was holding before in the kitchen. It was as if she had not just mind-linked her brother just now.

Valerie the sweeping pan and collector with the dustpan and cleared the mess, emptying it into the trash can in the room. Alessia carried the trash can and said,

"Call me if you need anything, but I will come and check on you as soon as I am done with chores in the kitchen."

Valerie nervously nodded her head and closed the door. Turning around to face Ryker, she was enveloped in a warm embrace. At least, he should take advantage of the moment before things got messy.

Pulling away, his lips smashed onto hers. She did not respond to the kiss, but neither did she push him away. After a short while, Ryker pulled away and extended his hand. "Come with me. We can run away together."

Valerie, being struck with a wave of nervousness, did not join her hand to his. "I’m sorry. I don’t think that is what I need right now." She felt it wasn’t right. Whatever she felt for Ryker needed to be buried after everything that happened today.

Ryker had a faint smile on his face. Seemed he did not have a strong effect on her as he thought. To convince himself that she was not so into him as she proclaimed in the training room, he said seriously,

"Choose Val, I’m not stupid. I heard the rumors. Alpha Denzel was pretending to hate you to save your life. He would kill me when he finds me here."

Valerie found herself in a difficult situation. Ryker made her happy, but she could not help feeling that leaving with him would be a form of betrayal of the trust Alpha Denzel had for her.

To avoid the question, she rather asked him. "How did you get in here without his knowing?"

Ryker found an excuse. "I just created some mess for him to deal with whilst I sneaked in here. Please Val, if you really love me, then come with me, but if not, then you have to choose between me and Alpha Denzel. I’m leaving this pack tonight, so you don’t have much time."

The fact that she was not going to see Ryker again ached her heart greatly, but she equally knew that it was time to let things go. His being in her life would only cause him death as he would not be able to win against Alpha Denzel.

"I’m sorry Ryker, but I can’t."

"You choose Alpha Denzel?" He asked in a dejected tone. Valerie felt guilty to have encouraged him all this while but explained.

"He saved my life."

"But do you love him?" He asked seriously, Valerie combed her hair to the back with her fingers. She still did not have an answer for that question and asked,

"Does it matter?"

"He rejected you," Ryker pointed out, but Alessia equally reminded him.

"That was to save my life."

Ryker got what he was looking for. Valerie was a decisive woman, and given the worst circumstance, she would choose the right over the wrong and her head over her heart.

"Goodbye Val, it was nice meeting you." He walked to the window with a sound countenance, and Valerie thought he was going to jump.

"Hey, just use the door."

To her surprise, Ryker closed the window and turned to face her. No longer using a disguised voice, he said,

"I’m glad you like Denzel better than Ryker."

Valerie felt a lump in her throat. "What are you talking about, and why are you speaking like Alpha Denzel?"