Not What You Expect

Chapter Eighteen

Valentina's pov

"How did your day go?" Raine asks me, a big smile on her face. I kiss her forehead.

"It was okay. I've had better."

"What happened?" I shake my head.

"Don't worry about it, yeah?" I ruff her hair up a little. She growls playfully at me.

"Okay."

•~*Earlier That Day*~•

I slowly get out bed. I don't want to wake Raine. I want to work on her birthday party but also want to make it safe for her. I've got to figure out the rogue problem. I know they want me. They want pay back. But, they know I'm too strong for them to send attack dogs.

I kiss Raine's forehead before changing into some decent clothes and heading downstairs. Kiely meets me in the kitchen.

"Hello sleepyhead." I say to her as she takes a sip of coffee.

"Shush. Where are you going so early?"

"I need to figure out this rogue issue." I sit at the bar as she fixes me a coffee.

"I know it's stressful. Especially why they want you so bad." I cringe.

"Yeah." I take a sip of the coffee. "I mean, I didn't know. I was just a kid. They did kill my best friend." I shake my head at the memories of Jade. Kiely pats my shoulder.

"Yeah. But.... An eye for an eye. A nose for a nose."

"And a mate for a mate." I whisper.

That's right.

I killed the rogue alpha's mate.

On accident.

I was 14 and his goons killed Jade. I didn't know the woman was his mate.

Now, he has a price on my head for all bounty hunters and rogues. None have been brave enough. Until now.

"They know your weakness, Val. Raine is your weakness. As much as you hate to admit it."

"Raine is just a friend. I don't understand." I sigh and rub my face.

"Val, you're so oblivious, it makes me sad." I raise an eyebrow at her. Kiely pats my cheek. "I met Hunter when I was 15 and my sophomore year of high school. We clicked insistently. Just in a day, we acted like we've known each other forever. His wolf was pushing him to. My wolf still wasn't there."

"I don't see your point."

"Oh my moon goddess." She sighs. "Has Scarlett been acting weird? Whining? Seeking comfort from Raine?"

"Yeah. Why?" Kiely pats my head.

"Poor child. Just wait." I shake my head at my friend.

"Okay, weirdo. I still have to go out now." I sigh. She nods.

"Let me get dressed." I nod and grab a paper to write a note on.

'Kiely and I went out to fix a problem. Ben and Hunter are hid outside for protection. Tell Raine they're with me. ~Val'

I slip into Tobi's room and put it on his dresser. Kiely and I head out to figure out a big birthday thing for Raine and the rogues.

For Raine's birthday I was thinking... Wait. It's a surprise.

Now, the rogue thing. I've got to figure out who's on the inside and get them to deliver me a message. I take a whiff and get a familiar scent. I freeze.

I know this scent.

He's the brother of the guy who killed Jade. I can smell it in him.

I growl erupts deep in my throat.

"Which one is he?" I whisper, using my senses to figure out. I stalk down an older looking man.

Him. He's the one.

I flip up my hood, hiding my hair. I follow him. I guess he got the sense of someone following him so he heads down an alley. Bad decision.

"Who are you?" He says with a frown.

"You know who I am." I growl at him. I flip down my hood

"Oh. Well, hello Valentina."

"Don't talk to me without permission." I stalk towards the man. "I've got a little... note for your rogue leader. A warning to be honest." I step forward and the man steps back.

"W-what?" I smirk.

"Tell him that you are to leave and never return and don't send anyone else." He goes to run pass me but I grab him by the throat. My eyes are shifting from blue to red.

"I'm not done." I growl. My claws come out and dig into his neck a little. He let's out a whine.

"Tell your leader that if he comes near Raine. He's a dead man. Tell him, I'll hunt him and his whole army by myself and kill every one of them. Tell him, I'll kill him last. Slowly. Tauntingly. Tell him, if he comes near Raine, he'll never see the next day. If he thinks I'm joking, just tell him about your brother. The brother I killed." I drop the man and he scurries off. Him holding his neck. I didn't penetrate that deep. He'll live.

I shake my hand. Kiely comes walking down and hands me a wash rag. I wipe down my hands then pull out a match. I drop the rag and lite the match. I drop it on the rag and it burns. We quickly leave the alley and head back towards the house.

"Are you going to tell Raine about your past?" Kiely says.

"There's nothing to discuss. My past is my problem and I don't want her in it." I say with a shrug.

"Will you tell your mate?"

"I'm not sure anymore. The idea of them rejecting me because of my bloody past seems horrible."

"They should accept your past."

"Yeah, well, most pasts aren't like mine. No one has a murderous past. Especially a past of a princess." I storm away from my friend. Ben and Hunter catch up with me.

We all head inside the house. Much to my displeasure, Raine was already awake. Don't get me wrong, I love her company and her. But I really need to shower and take a nap. I then realize what's she's wearing. She looks good. Like, really good.