Chapter 6: The Shadows of High Blood

Aurelia's POV

Descending the grand staircase the following morning, the crisp scent of cedar wood was entirely overshadowed by a tense, heavy aura. Standing near the landing was Lysandra. The proud, aristocratic features she had worn so smugly the previous night were thoroughly ruined; a deep, violet bruise ringed her left eye, and her lower lip was swollen and split cleanly down the center.

I glanced up at Valerius. I made a desperate effort to suppress the dark amusement bubbling in my chest, but the sheer satisfaction of the sight bypassed my defenses, and a quiet snigger escaped my lips. Lysandra’s head snapped toward me, and she let out a low, deeply disrespectful growl.

The response from Valerius was instantaneous. He unleashed a dark, vibratory rumble from his own chest—a wave of pure Alpha dominance so immense it sent a physical shiver cascading straight down my spine. The sound did something primordial to my wolf, leaving my senses thoroughly confused. Catching my eye, Valerius shot me a slow, incredibly sly wink. A violent heat rushed up my neck, and I pinned my gaze to the polished floorboards to hide my burning embarrassment.

He guided me into a massive, minimalist kitchen, gesturing for me to take a seat at the sleek marble counter while he set to work. Within minutes, the air was thick with the magnificent, rich aroma of breakfast. When he finally slid a plate across the stone toward me, my eyes widened in absolute shock. It was stacked impossibly high with fluffy buttermilk pancakes, thick-cut smoked bacon, savory sausages, perfectly poached eggs, and fresh strawberries.

Valerius misread my paralysis, his dark brows furrowing in sudden panic. "What's wrong? Are you allergic? Do you despise any of these selections?" He muttered a low curse under his breath, shaking his head. "Forgive me. I should have requested your preferences beforehand."

"No, no, it's nothing of the sort," I murmured quickly, gesturing toward the monumental mountain of food. "It's simply... do you truly expect a single human being to consume all of this?"

"Well, considering you told me your previous pack starved you, I naturally assumed you would harbor a ravenous appetite," he countered gently, his eyes tracking my movements. "When was the last time your body received a proper, full meal?"

I paused, staring at the fresh berries as the bleak reality of my past weighed heavily on my chest. "Your thoughtfulness is unparalleled, Valerius. But... I believe it was around last summer the last time I sat before a complete meal."

"What?" The word ripped from his throat, a dangerous, low growl vibrating through the kitchen. "How did your system even survive under those conditions?"

"Malakor’s Beta, Gideon, possessed a shred of humanity," I explained quietly, my voice flat. "He would risk execution to sneak me a dry sandwich or scraps whenever the opportunity arose. If not for his quiet intervention, Malakor would have successfully buried me years ago. I owe him my fated survival. Whenever the Alpha’s punishments pushed my body past its absolute limits, Gideon would step in, halt the violence, and carry my broken form to the remote corners of the infirmary. I have literally looked death in the eyes more times than my mind cares to admit."

Valerius stared back at me, a profound, heavy silence settling between us. The absolute pity in his gaze was anchored by a dangerous reservoir of sorrow and unadulterated rage.

Desperate to shatter the suffocating gravity of the conversation, I leaned forward, resting my chin in my hands and leveling a soft look at his features. "Will you tell me about your own life now? You have dismantled every secret I possess, yet I know next to nothing about the great Alpha Valerius."

He let out a slow, defeated sigh, though a soft warmth touched his lips. "What particular details do you wish to unearth, little bird?"

"Do you have any siblings?"

He nodded, a genuine grin gracing his handsome face. "I have a younger sister. Her name is Freya."

Deep within my consciousness, Karlee perked up instantly, her ears pinning back in sudden, territorial interest at the mention of her own name. I let out a quiet snigger at my wolf's internal reaction before clearing my throat and looking back at Valerius. "That happens to be my inner wolf's name as well. Next inquiry... what is your full, high-clan designation? And what do they call your inner beast?"

I rushed the words out, getting entirely carried away by the foreign comfort of the moment. Valerius simply grinned, extending his massive hand across the marble surface until his palm rested directly over mine. I flinched instinctively at the sudden contact, but the moment our skin connected, a brilliant cascade of golden sparks erupted through my veins, forcing a sharp gasp from my lungs.

What is this sorcery?

"My full noble name is Valerius Jacob Black," he murmured, his gaze locking onto mine as his fingers brushed the back of my hand. "And my wolf answers to Owen."

I nodded mutely, letting the sparks settle. "Any further questions ?" he prompted, his eyes dancing.

I thought about it for a moment, a genuine smile breaking through my defenses. "What is your preferred color?"

"Blue," he replied without a moment's hesitation. "But not a standard, generic sky blue. A deep, oceanic midnight blue."

Listening to him speak, a quiet pang of envy touched my heart. His reality was so vastly removed from the horrific labyrinth of my own childhood. He had walked through a life of privilege and security, and while a part of me felt a bitter jealousy, I was genuinely happy that he possessed a good soul. He deserved that peace.

Unlike me,

a dark whisper intervened. I am a broken thing. I don't deserve a shred of happiness.

"Now, I have a proposition for you," Valerius announced, his tone shifting as he laced his long fingers through mine.

"Go ahead," I replied, forcing my focus back to his warm gaze.

"Would you grant me the honor of taking you on a proper date ?" he requested, a rare, sheepish smile softening his hard features. "I want to show you how beautiful life can truly be. If you'll permit me, that is."

I paused, staring at our joined fingers for several seconds as my mind struggled to process the term. "A... date ?" I echoed, completely bewildered.

His grin widened, radiating a warmth so absolute it left my senses completely giddy. "A date," he clarified softly. "It is an occasion where two individuals—like you and I—spend an evening or a day entirely in each other's company, unbothered by the world, simply enjoying the passage of time. So, Aurelia, will you go on a date with me?"

"I... I would like that," I stammered, a sudden spike of anxiety tightening my throat. "But what could I possibly wear? I possess nothing but these borrowed silks."

"Do not concern your beautiful mind with that," he reassured me instantly. "My sister will handle everything. The two of you are heading into the high-end districts this afternoon for an excursion."

I nodded quietly, entirely unsure of how to articulate the absolute terror building in my chest. I had never stepped foot inside a commercial district in my entire life. I was profoundly nervous, to say the least. More than that, I was about to meet his blood relation—his family. And I could sense that pack lineage and family honor were paramount to a sovereign like Valerius.

An hour later, a thunderous, impatient knock rattled the front oak doors. I opened the entrance, and a soft gasp escaped my lips. Standing on the threshold was a vision. She possessed long, cascading spirals of bright platinum-blonde hair, striking emerald-green eyes, and lips painted in a bold, flawless crimson that accentuated her classical features. She looked like an ancient goddess of war and beauty.

"Valerius!" she squealed, bypassing me entirely to hurl her body into her brother's arms, enveloping him in a fierce embrace. Valerius simply laughed, a deep, booming sound, as he caught her weight and swung her around. A sharp, unwanted pang of jealousy flared in my chest at the effortless display of affection.

As if his fated bond instantly registered my internal distress, Valerius turned, gently shifting the blonde goddess until she stood directly before me.

"Aurelia, meet Freya. Freya, this is my fated mate, Aurelia."

A massive, dazzling grin consumed Freya’s features. Before I could erect any defenses, she stalked forward and engulfed me in a crushing, unyielding hug. Despite the sheer shock and awkwardness of the physical contact, a fragile sense of warmth settled into my chest; it was remarkably nice to be held by someone whose covert intention wasn't to inflict physical agony. A sudden prickle of tears threatened my vision, but I forced my eyelids shut, ruthlessly driving the emotion back into the dark.

Who knew a simple act of kindness could leave me so thoroughly undone?

Freya pulled back, her emerald eyes boring directly into mine with an intense, all-knowing scrutiny. She placed both hands firmly onto my shoulders, anchoring me to her gaze.

"It is an absolute honor to finally meet you," she stated, her voice projecting a crisp authority. "My absolute idiot of a brother better treat you like the queen you are, and if he falters for even a second, I will gladly kick his royal ass."

A genuine, uncontrollable giggle escaped my throat at the threat. Valerius stood behind her, his features frozen in a mask of absolute, comical shock. The most feared, monstrous Alpha on the eastern seaboard was genuinely terrified of his little sister's wrath. He let out a low, playful growl of warning in her direction.

My body tensed instinctively at the sound of the growl, a remnant of my trauma, but I quickly shook it off, focusing on Freya. She caught my brief hesitation, a knowing, fiercely protective smirk crossing her lips as she jingled her car keys.

"Let's move," she commanded, turning toward the entrance.

I leaned closer to Valerius, my lips brushing the edge of his ear. "Goodbye, Avie," I whispered softly, utilizing the private name that had formed in my mind. Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and darted out the door, jumping into the passenger seat of Freya’s sleek sports car. The engine roared to life with a fierce growl, and we tore down the driveway toward the commercial valley.