Valerian
“You were smiling like an idiot after you snapped on me.” That was Dameta said when Dominixe and I finished snapping at each other as we relived that day when we met at the town of Elmbow.
I cleared my throat to hide my smile. “I cannot help it. You were adorable at that time…” I looked up in the sky. “I learned to appreciate every second because of you, Dameta…”
I was returned to the day where it all began. It was Dominixe and I’s first meeting. As promised, her older sister, Elixane, unified my soul and split it into half so my wolf, Niccolo, could fulfill his duty.
“Valerian, are you certain you are going on a vacation at the Calaren right after this week?” Peyton asked when we returned to the Nocturnal Crest pack.
“Indeed. Why?” Seeing Peyton Radger, my Beta, second-in-command of the Nocturnal Crest pack, relieved me. Even the rest of my pack members had bestowed me relief since I was happy to see them alive again.
They had no idea that they had met their miserable fate.
This time… I promised Dominixe and the House of Cantavalle would not touch my pack again. This time… I would do anything to pull my beloved mate from that household.
I wouldn’t want her to be a sacrificial lamb there again.
“Nothing.” Peyton smiled. “But it is good that you are taking a break this time. Magdalene and I have been insisting on you since you are so invested in being the right arm of Crown Prince Henricus, Duke of Alsfield, and Alpha of our pack.” He was shaking his head.
I smirked. “Fret not, my dear friend. You and Magdalene can handle my pack affairs for a short time. But do not use my study room as your love nest.” Magdalene was Peyton’s mate that became his wife.
Peyton frowned. “I do not dare, idiot. We are more interested in doing it at our mansion.” He gasped at his words and looked at me.
I smiled sheepishly. “Sure thing then.” I only shrugged it off, causing him to huff as he shook his head.
“You are the lady who kept blabbering nonsensical words. Shame that you are my mate.” It was too late for me to revoke my words when I saw that they hurt Dominixe.
“Then, it is a shame that I am fated to a man who is an asshole.” With that, I found her crying, which shattered my heart.
“Dominixe!” I called her name, but she was not looking back.
“Great… Just great…” Dameta said, shaking her head when she appeared in her human form.
I felt guilty when I looked at her. “I-It is not my intention to hurt her… I promise.”
She smiled softly. “Consider it as our karma, Valerian.” Then her gaze followed where Dominixe ran to. “I am certain that the Dominixe in this timeline is full of regrets… She will find a way to apologize to you soon.” Her smile turned down. “If only Mother did not restrict my abilities, I could do this, too. This dimension is making me feel envy.”
My heart clenched, seeing how Dominixe from a different timeline wanted to be with me on the same timeline where she came from. “Domi…” I held her hand. “It is beyond doubt that my other self forgave you, too…” I could see the emptiness in her eyes every time our eyes met.
Dominixe from the different timeline was closed to her end. I could tell… Being in here was torture for her.
Her eyes started to water as she gently squeezed my hand before releasing it. She heaved out a sigh before looking at me. “The Dominixe in this timeline will be in disguise soon. Find something that you shall be able to recognize her once she is incognito,” Dameta said before vanishing into thin air.
“Dameta…” I muttered her name when she left me as I wanted to ask something.
I took her advice. I thought of many ways how I would be able to recognize Dominixe. Then my eyes settled on the lilith flowers I saw in the florist shop.
“As an asking for a truce, would it suffice that I shall bestow you this lilith flower?”
“L-Lilith flower?”
Yes, my dear Lilith. Wasn’t that your second name? Seeing how flustered you were as I caught you off guard made me cherish your expressions I didn’t get to see when we were together.
I had always wondered why her walls were so high. I felt like there was something in her that she kept faking it.
I knew now.
It was her emotions.
“Will I ever see my mate again?” I smiled sheepishly. I was going to surprise Dominixe for copying her attitude back then. This was what she even said before, and now, it was me that I was asking, not her.
I remember she kept pestering me while I was being a short-tempered one. Now, we would switch, and I would make her taste her medicine.
“Over my dead body, freak.”
I almost laughed at her response. Those were my words back then.
Thanks to Dameta that she told me that Dominixe was not going to Solacia but to the Calaren, where Britanny attacked the Sunset Crown pack. Her investigation would be futile there to look for the name Niccolo since he never existed in the first place.
Dameta let me know where Dominixe was going to stay after her futile investigation which was in a particular cake shop.
“Nice to see you again, stalker. You are certainly following me, aren’t you?”
“It is not as if you weren’t following me the other day.”
“I am just curious as to where you are staying.”
I knew, honeydew. I intended to check in to the inn across the inn where you were checking in to watch over you from afar.
“Light and fragrant desserts, like the one you are eating, is the best pair for oolong tea. I picked the right dessert just for you.”
I watched her reaction since if Dominixe was really cherishing me, those words should make her feel a pang of pain.
It did not take me long for me to see that expression. My wolf urged me to pull her into my lap and assured her everything would be alright. But I halted him since this should also be a lesson for Dominixe.
I just needed to pull this act. I had no idea what was happening with her until I finally told her the truth.
“You’re allergic to seafood, remember?”
Hearing that Dominixe still remembered that I was allergic to seafood made me happy. It really meant that I was meant for her. It made me happy that I was able to be with her again.
“In my household, I was being called that name as my nickname…”
Yes, I know, Lilith. I witnessed it, and I used to call you by that nickname. I had been wanting to call you Lilith again. But I shouldn’t be hasty.
“I just thought now that I should have an endearment when I call you.”
“Huh? What the hell are you talking about? Endearment? We are not even couples yet.”
Ah, Dominixe Lilith Cantavalle… You would be surprised if I told you that in this timeline, I would be the one who would call you on the endearment you first thought. I would like to see your reaction.
“Well, I think… I should call you ‘honeydew’ this time.”
“Honeydew… That is hilarious. Honeydew is-Wait. What did you say? Honeydew?”
“Yes. You are my honeydew from now on, Dominixe.” I kissed the back of her hand. “This time, I promise you will never experience hardships, honeydew. Remember that.”
I would save you from hell. I would even go with you through the depths of the abyss to be with you, honeydew. You were essential to me, and I wouldn’t want you to be in that situation anymore.
“You are good at lying. You did not bat an eye.” Tsk. This was problematic since I did not expect Dominixe would arrive to see me in my room. I did not want her to think I was doing something with Arica.
“I am telling the truth, Valerian. Can you distance yourself-Valerian!” I smirked when she shrieked the moment I gently pinched her flank.
“Cute.” She was really adorable. Now, I found another way to be with her and spent more time with my honeydew.
“What if… you have never done something terrible to that person?”
“Then, I am still willing to forgive and let that person deserve a second chance,” I whispered while my face was close to hers.
I couldn’t control myself anymore. Seeing her hurting and feeling guilty wanted me to claim her. It also pained me that we were in this situation. Dominixe, you had no idea I wanted to forgive and be with you through the ups and downs.
I wouldn’t want you to suffer anymore. I love you, honeydew…
“Will you allow me to kiss you, honeydew? I have been dying to kiss you…” I had thin patience now. I just wanted to be mine again.
It was the best feeling when she did not protest and let me kiss her then. Dominixe’s kiss was full of passion, longing, and regret. I returned with the same intensity, full of love, letting her know I knew everything.
I would be there for her. Dominxie was my strength and weakness.
“Look, Dameta! Dominixe bestowed me incantation jewelry!” I told her the moment I returned to my inn. I was so excited that I couldn’t help admiring the bangle Dominixe relinquished.
My heart was pounding so fast as I couldn’t help kissing it. It was as if I was kissing Dominixe, too.
Dameta, who was sitting at the table, softened and smiled. “It is good that I did not tell you that part. It will be more interesting if you witness it yourself.”
I smiled and stood up when I remembered something. “I brought you something.” I approached her and bestowed her with some macaroons. Her eyes widened upon seeing them. “Shall we… pair them with oolong tea?” I asked, hesitant.
“Valerian, you do not have to do this…” Dameta chuckled while her eyes were tearing up. “You are not the Valerian from my original timeline. He should be the one to do this.” She kept fluttering her eyelids.
I smiled bitterly. “That is still me, Dominixe.” I knelt before her and held her hand. “Allow me to make up everything for you.”
“Are you cheating the Dominixe in this timeline?” She rolled her eyes. “And I am 43 years old, so halt it. Deal the Dominixe, who is 26 years old here. Do not be such a womanizer, Valerian Leveaux.” She chuckled and shook her head before standing up.
I wanted to halt her. But it must be best to keep my distance since Dameta was already at her limits. I would just hurt her if I kept relieving the past.
The Dominixe I saw at this moment was close to ending her life the more she kept staying here.
“You said that you felt enraged when I died in your timeline and took revenge immediately. You even became Marchioness Cantavalle in your own right after your father died,” I said when she sat at the windowsill. “Why did my Dominixe in this timeline not do the same, Dameta?”
I had been wondering about that. I wanted to learn that was bugging me the whole time.
I could tell that she was still keeping more from me.
Her lips drew a mystifying smile. She even rested her head at the window, looking at the ceiling. “It’s because… my older sister, who named Ragriel in her deity name, did not appear in this timeline. She has not appeared yet. Perhaps, due to my intervention and cause an imbalance to this world…” My eyes widened before our eyes locked. “In my timeline, Ragriel appeared right after you died and told me that she has been looking for me as I am one of the daughters of the Moon Goddess.”
“Then, when is she going to appear?”
She shrugged. “I am uncertain. I tried seeing the future to see the predictable events, but Mother has been intervening. I must be ruining the laws of nature, so she is preventing me from seeing the future.” She sighed and looked at me. “Also, there is someone I would like to introduce to you, Valerian…”
I noticed her tone became cold and distant. It was unusual to hear that tone since she kept talking to me warmly.
“W-Who is it?” Why did I feel nervous and agitated at the same time?
Dameta closed her eyes for a moment. She looked hesitant before she finally opened her eyes to meet my gaze. “Dominixe in this timeline did not conceive of having that person.”
“That person?” I parroted. “Conceive?” My heart started to race rapidly. Did she mean…
She nodded. “Yes. His name is… Demetrius Onyx Cantavalle,” she said in a complex tone. As if mentioning his name had bestowed her a hard time. “Demetrius is our son, Valerian.” I gasped. I had a son?! “That child will be helpful in your plans for the future,” she added, making me speechless while she had a bitter smile plastering on her lips. “And I will have you to take care of him when I am gone…”