Chapter 7: Rescue

Valerie

I twisted back as fast as I could to search for the voice. The moment I found the person all the tension left me. I knew I recognized that voice.

He walked out of the shadows, his silvery blond hair glowing in the moonlight. As he approached us, I felt tense for a completely different reason.

I felt him beside me, his gaze focused forward.

“I asked a question, Alpha Tristan.” He said arrogantly, making me stiffen, “what are you doing here with my Advisor?”

Tristan still looked pale, but I was surprised when his gait suddenly changed into something narrow.

“I was talking to Valerie. My mate,” Tristan said,

“Ex mate,” Alistair corrected, “you have no rights over her, so you shouldn't be cornering her in my garden. You do remember that this is my pack, right?”

“Alistair,” I broke out, interrupting whatever they were going to say next. Both eyes turned to me but I focused on Alistair.

I never said his name out loud in public, constantly deferring to his title, but over the past month we had become friends and allies of sorts. Whatever was going on was too much for me to forget to censor myself.

But most importantly, I didn't have the time for this.

The adrenaline and panic from the realization moments ago lingered, but all the fight had left me for now. Right now, I just wanted to be alone.

Thankfully, Alistair read my mind and I felt his comforting hand in my back.

“We've only just come to peace tonight. Let it stay that way.” Alistair said, aimed towards Tristan.

“Enjoy the gardens Alpha Tristan,”

Tapping me lightly, I caught the signal quickly, turning away beside him. My gaze flew to Tristan right before I turned.

With the pseudo fight lost, whatever false confidence he donned had left, leaving the same look from before. His face was pale, shoulders slumped as he stared at me with that same devastated look.

He looked defeated.

I felt his eyes behind me as I walked away beside Alistair. The reminder of what I'd said echoing.

What was he feeling now?

I forcefully pushed those feelings away. My past was gone and this was the only way forward. Eventually…the love I had for him would fade as well.

The moment Alistair led me inside he didn't lead me towards the hall, instead moving through the hallways.

“Are you okay? What happened back there?” He asked. I blinked in surprise. I'd never seen his voice so soft or the concern laden in it.

How could I explain whatever the hell I'd heard and done in the gardens? Doing so would include revealing my past life which was insanity in itself.

“Don't worry. It's okay if you don't share,” he smirked lightly. We stopped and to my surprise I found myself at a familiar door. I was so out of it that I didn't notice where he was leading me.

He opened it and I was met with his personal office, bathed in warm light unlike the high mighty throne I first encountered him in in this life.

“You can stay here if you want to be alone and wait the party out.” His words made me turn to him in surprise as he quirked his lips,

“There was a reason why you went to get fresh air. It's bad enough that I made you stay for the party, at least let me do this for you.”

He was right. The last thing I wanted to see even from a distance was Tristan. This was my way out and I had already been here several times. Between this and returning to the party, I would choose this.

Who was I to refuse?

“Thanks,” I muttered as I slipped in. With a final smile, he shut the door, leaving me alone in the room.

I stayed there for the rest of the evening, spending my time on the couch with my phone while doing nothing.

It wasn't until an hour later that Alistair came in again.

“The coast is clear. They're gone.” he winked playfully confusion hit me.

Gone? It was too late for any travel and I doubted they weren't inebriated.

“Where are they?” I asked, my implications clear.

“On their Alpha's orders, the pack retired early and left. They're staying in a hotel in the city for the night.” Alistair said, taking his seat on his desk. I didn't fail to notice how he wasn't using Tristan's name.

‘Still…’ I sighed, a mix of relief and guilt.

“Thank you, for this.” I said. I hadn't expected the man who had killed me in my past life to be the one helping me now, but he'd not only defended me in front of my pack, but he'd come to my rescue again in the garden.

We were friends and allies and I was even more reminded of this.

“I'm not going to pry, but was he bothering you back then?” He asked, his eyes narrowed as if he was ready to go and threaten Tristan for my sake.

I shook my head, smiling ruefully

“It's nothing I couldn't handle,” I said, but I couldn't even completely assure myself. I hadn't fully wrapped my head around what happened tonight, to think that Tristan knew about me.

I didn't want to worry about the change.

“You know, if you're worried my offer to join the pack still stands. You'll get all the protection you need here.” he said, a teasing smile on his lips. I fought a smile of my own as his words lightened the burden .

Even after I agreed to work for him, he still continuously offered for me to be part of his pack, always managing to slip it into conversation one way or the other. At this point it was more of a running gag for him than an actually serious question. My answer was the same every time.

“You've already given me and Mina all the protection I need,” I smiled, raising my eyebrows cheekily,

“I shouldn't have played into your hands so easily. Now it feels like I've been scammed” he sighed forlornly making me huff.

Shifting in my seat, I looked out at the night sky through the window. If they had left there was no need for me to be here anymore. It was already late anyway.

“I need to go now. Mina must be waiting for me.” I said, standing up. I was two steps towards the door when his voice came from behind me.

“There is another way to make sure he doesn't come near you,” he said. Was it just my imagination or did his voice sound slightly different.

I turned back to find a contemplative look on his face. He almost looked serious.

“Oh really?” I chuckled lightly, “in what way then?”

“Be my mate.”