Chapter 69 - Secret’s Lurking

Bullet was right on time as usual, his dark van already parked and waiting with both doors open. He helped me into the back and then Valia.

"Can you stop at Luke’s house, please? To pick up Tiffany?" I asked once he was seated in the driver’s seat. Bullet nodded silently, his eyes focused ahead.

I had called Tiffany just an hour back to explain the accompanying guest, and when she climbed into the van and met Valia’s soft eyes, she wasn't surprised at all. On our way there, she leaned in and whispered in my ear, "He had to bring back the prettiest one?"

It would have been funny if I didn’t take it so personally. I didn't respond, masking my annoyance by feigning interest in the passing scenery outside the window. The tension in the van was palpable, like a tightrope stretching between us, ready to snap.

The weather was perfect today, the sun painting a warm afternoon across the outdoor market. As we strolled awkwardly down the street through dozens of shoppers, both humans and wolves, Tiffany finally broke the silence. "So, Valerie, is that right?" Her attempt at conversation was almost comedic.

Valia smiled, a gentle, almost apologetic curve of her lips. "Valia," she corrected softly. "You’re Tiffany, right?"

"Yes," Tiffany replied, flashing a tight smile. "So, how long have you known Damon exactly?"

I smirked at my new friend. I hadn’t liked Tiffany very much when we first met, but I quickly learned she was just trying to survive, like the rest of us. Now, she had become one of the few people I trusted.

"Just a few weeks," Valia replied, her voice low but steady. "All the dolls in the east were being held hostage by our mates. Damon heard about us and came to help."

"Why were you being held hostage?" Tiffany pressed, her tone shifting from curious to something sharper.

"The east has a new rebellion group," Valia explained. "Wolves who don’t agree with the new laws that humans can live freely amongst the wolf men. They formed a group and went around murdering humans. They used us for breeding, although I could never get pregnant. They wouldn’t let us out of the cages and only ever came by to…use us."

I peeked through my furrowed eyebrows at her. She was staring at the gravel, her shoulders slumped, regret clouding her eyes. Tiffany, however, didn’t seem affected by the story. Her expression remained neutral, almost disinterested.

We went into a baby store a few blocks later. Valia asked if she could go off on her own to look at the toys while we searched for baby clothes.

"I don’t like her at all," Tiffany began the moment Valia was out of earshot. "And I’m not falling for that sob story."

"It’s not a story," I mumbled, sifting through the hangers for something navy or black. "Damon told me this morning."

"And you believe him?" Tiffany scoffed. "I wouldn’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth. I caught Luke cheating on me last week with another man’s doll—"

My head whipped around so fast I could have sprained my neck. "Wait, what? You never told me."

"I wanted to tell you in person." Her expression was blank, but I could see her blinking back tears. "Since the war ended, all the labs released the dolls back into the streets, and guess who's been handling the safety of the girls?"

"Luke," I whispered sadly. Despite Luke's flaws, I knew Tiffany loved him, and the end of the battle had seemed like a fresh start, a chance for him to finally treat her right.

"Whatever," she huffed, though her voice trembled. "Maybe I’ll flirt with one of his soldiers, make him jealous. See how he likes it."

We exited the store with shopping bags in hand. The weight of the bags matched the heaviness in my chest. We spent another hour in the market before a wave of fatigue hit me. My limbs felt like lead, my skin prickling with sweat.

"You should go rest. I can see the sweat on your forehead," Tiffany noted, her voice softening with concern.

I chuckled, trying to brush it off. "I’m all done anyway. Let’s go."

Back in the car, Valia sat next to Tiffany.

"Can you move your hair? It’s on my seat belt buckle; I can’t close it," Tiffany said, her tone sharp. She didn’t mean to sound so rude, but it was just how she came off sometimes.

Valia nervously hurried to toss her thick black hair to the other side of her neck.

"What is that?" Tiffany asked, leaning closer.

"What’s what?" Valia replied, suddenly tense.

"That?" Tiffany's finger brushed against Valia's neck. "It looks like someone bit you."

I leaned forward to get a better look. Valia moved quickly, covering her neck with her hair, but I caught a glimpse of the scar. It looked just like the one on my neck, though hers appeared fresher, as if it had been made only days ago.

"Oh, it’s nothing," Valia said, her voice wavering. "The wolves in the east did that to me."

"They bit you?" I asked, frowning. It didn't seem like something a werewolf would do.

"Yes, a while back—"

"Looks fresh," Tiffany interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "If it was a long time ago, you should get that looked at today. It may be infected."

Valia’s face hardened, her jaw clenched. She turned to gaze out the window, her lips pressed tightly together. The rest of the ride passed in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken questions.

I watched her closely, noticing the way her hands trembled slightly in her lap, her nails digging into her palms. She was hiding something—something important. My mind raced with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last.

Back at the safe house, I pulled Tiffany aside. "I think there's more to Valia's story than she's letting on."

"Obviously," Tiffany replied, rolling her eyes. "But why do you care so much?"

I hesitated. "Because... I think she’s like me. And if she’s been through what I’ve been through, we need to help her."

Tiffany sighed, crossing her arms. "You can’t save everyone, you know."

"Maybe," I said softly. "But I have to try."

As we entered the house, I noticed Valia sitting alone in the corner, staring at her hands. I made my way over to her, sitting down beside her.

"Valia," I said gently, "if there’s something you’re not telling us, it’s okay. You’re safe here."

Her eyes flickered to mine, her expression a mix of fear and confusion. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, swallowing hard.

Finally, she whispered, "I don’t know who to trust anymore."

"You can trust me," I assured her, my voice steady. "I promise."

She looked down, her hands shaking. "I hope so," she murmured. "Because if they find out I’m here… they’ll kill us all."

A chill ran down my spine. Whoever "they" were, it was clear they were powerful. And dangerous.

And suddenly, I realized that whatever secrets Valia was keeping, they were far more dangerous than I had imagined.