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"Yes," Valerie responded. Denzel was very curious as she added, "but it’s not the bond or love."

His hope died, but he knew he had to work harder and said to her, "You hate him."

He just wanted a yes or no answer, not expecting her to explain it. "I tried to, but I can’t. He saved my life, so I’m grateful to him, but I’m also afraid of him. He’s unpredictable and hasn’t been here for a while. It’s quite a relief to not see him."

Alpha Denzel had mixed feelings after her final remark. Her bitterness towards him was understandable, but the relief of his absence bothered him because of how he desired to see her every day.

If he couldn’t have the opportunity to disguise to see her at night, then he would have to see her in the day in his undisguised form. At this time, he had to put in a word for himself to help remove some of the pain on her heart.

"Our Alpha has been through a lot. He wasn’t always like that, but after losing his parents and a few people who got close to him, including his mate, he became distant and aloof. I guess people handle pain differently."

Valerie stared at him and smiled. "Ryker, you seem to know your Alpha so well. You must love him so much."

Alpha Denzel smiled and looked away. "Just like you, we fear him sometimes, but you should see him in a war front. Our Alpha protects us, and that is why we love him."

He wasn’t merely singing his good songs but recounting the words he heard from his pack members without their knowing.

Valerie sighed, not having much to say anymore but didn’t want Ryker to leave since he wouldn’t be coming back for days.

She wanted to keep the conversation going, just to keep him with her for just a little while. "So, are you going to show me those moves?" She asked, but Alpha Denzel was not done.

"I have another question for you."

"What is that?" Valerie asked calmly. Alpha Denzel was amazed by how she tolerated him. It was hard to explain if it was her being alone that caused her to give him an audience.

"I heard that Alpha Tristan threw some pack members in the dungeon." He wanted to help her, so he brought it up, instantly seeing her mood dampen.

"He’s a jackass. I want to kill him with my bare hands," Valerie raged. Alpha Denzel was glad to not have killed Alpha Tristan. Valerie deserved that food. It would be better if she killed him herself.

"I want to get them out of the dungeon or report to the council, but I’m just a slave here," she said sadly. Alpha Denzel lowered his head, pained by how she took his words seriously.

"You are not a slave. I believe the Alpha has respect for you if not, he wouldn’t have brought you here. Do you have any idea what he does to his slaves and traitors?"

Valerie could not imagine what Alpha Denzel would do to such people, but she was happy that he never abused her. "I guess I’m lucky."

"What if I get your people out of the dungeon? What will you give me?"

Valerie was amazed. "You can?"

"It depends on how much you are ready to pay," Alpha Denzel wanted to use the opportunity to his advantage. Tristan was nothing to him. With that confession, he had the idiot wrapped around his fingers.

Now that he thought about it, it was good that he did not kill the idiot. He will die slowly from fear and panic before Alpha Denzel gives Valerie the chance to finish him off.

"I already told you that I have nothing." Valerie’s expression was solemn, but Alpha Denzel smiled a little.

"I already told you what I want."

"What if you find our mate?" Valerie asked. Even if she wanted to take the risk to date this man in her little prison, she might just face another heartbreak if he finds his mate. Seems like she was made for doom.

Alpha Denzel smirked. It wouldn’t have been so easy to have her, could it? "I don’t think I will, but even if I do, I promise to not be like Tristan, but I will follow my heart over the bond."

Valerie felt it was because he never felt the mate bond before. "It’s not as easy as you think. Mention something else," she said calmly. The fact that her mates rejected her did not mean Ryker will reject his mate for her. Even if he did, she will not be happy to take another woman’s happiness.

Alpha Denzel was not ready to barge. "That is all I want or will you rather give me a kiss on the cheek?" He asked, surprised by how flirtatious he had become in his disguise form.

The truth is, being with her like this, he fell deeper in love with her. She was deserving of his first kiss, and should she give him a chance, he will grab it with two hands.

"How will you be able to rescue them?" Valerie asked seriously. That was the most important part. Unless it was the whole Evergreen pack going against the yellow stone pack, that would have been different, but one warrior would not be able to survive.

"I won’t tell you, but I will," he said solemnly. Even if she refused to give him what he wanted, he will still do it.

However, he wished for a little intimacy. That will give him hope than just the friendship they now had.

Valerie doubted his ability to rescue those warriors by himself, taunting him, "If you succeed and bring me proof, I will kiss you on the lips."

Alpha Denzel was in a blissful daze but could feel his wolf, Brutus, jumping from excitement. He got this and could not wait to have a taste of those plump rosy lips. "Please keep your promise Val, I’m a man of my words."

"I’m also serious, but will you teach me those moves now?" She asked seriously, still not believing that he will do it.

"Sure, but you will need your wolfy abilities, especially your claws," he hinted. Valerie’s face fell, unable to tell him that she couldn’t use her wolf abilities.

"Let’s do it another time. I’m already tired and sleepy," she faked a yawn.

Alpha Denzel agreed as they’ve been talking and walking for hours. "We’ve come a long distance. Let me take you back."

When they reached the cottage, they sat on the garden chair and talked some more, but Valerie was dozing. Alpha Denzel lent her his shoulder, and after she fell asleep, he carried her to her bedroom and set her gently on the bed.

He kissed her soft brown hair gently before covering her with a duvet. The windows were already closed, so he walked to the door.

"I’m really anxious for that kiss Val," he murmured before calling Burke on the phone to leave a few instructions.

Now, he was focused on going to deal with Alpha Tristan.