VALERIAMaybe he was used to giving and receiving the cold shoulder for days on end, but I was not. I felt it was high time we trashed it out the reason for his recent attitude once and for all.He was in his usual haunt, his study. He was scowling at the screen of computer as though it had done him a personal injury. His scowl deepened when I stepped into the room. He looked as though he would have liked nothing better than to order me out the way he had order me out of his bedroom the last time. I refused to be intimidated by his stare. I marched up to his desk, drew up a chair and sat to show him I meant business."What's your problem with me?" I asked.Before seeking him out, I had decided that going straight to the point was the best form of approach."I don't understand what you're talking about. I don't have a problem with you or anyone else," he said.I slapped down the files he was trying to flip open. I kept my hands there, splayed on them. There was no way I was going to le

VALERIAIt was happening again. I felt my heartbeat speed up. We had just got out of the car and there they were, seemingly coming out of nowhere, like a flock of vultures. I supposed it was irrational of me but I always thought of them that way. I pressed close to Noah, dug my fingers into his arm as we began to walk briskly towards the restaurant. The place was so close, yet felt so far away. I felt them closing in. I couldn't wait to get into the sanctuary of the restaurant so I could breathe again.As always, Noah seemed unaffected by it all. He walked confidentiality, nodding and smiling to the reporters whose eyes he met. As they shoved their cameras and microphones at us, asking, always asking if we were dating, what plans we had for our relationship. Noah kept saying cheerfully 'No comment. No comments. I'm sorry, but I have no comments."The restaurant's doorman bowed us in and thankfully, the doors closed, shutting out all the questioning voices and the flashing lights. The

VALERIAI felt my heart literally stop for a moment or two before it started up again. My one thought was that I was being attacked. The person who had poisoned me was back to finish the job. The weight of the person on top of me pressed me against the mattress. Knowing I would probably get only one chance to do this, I sucked in screamed as loudly as I could. The weight on me lifted, and the next moment I was lying on my back, staring into Dimitri's eyes. I stopped shrieking at once. I tried to gather my wits."Hey. It's just me. Are you okay?" he asked after I had remained mute for about a minute.I shook my head, tried to catch my breath. Dimitri helped me sit up. I slapped his hand away. I pressed a hand to my chest."What did you think you were doing?" I puffed. "Why did you sneak up on me like that?"A ghost of a smile appeared on Dimitri's lips. "I wasn't trying to sneak up on you. I've been here so I could talk to you. It's not my fault that you were so preoccupied that didn't

DIMITRII grunted a reply to one of the pack's leaders who greeted me. I didn't even know who it was. I scarcely even looked at him. Behind me, I heard the car door slam shut. Then there were running footsteps as Silas hurried after me."They are all ready for the meeting, Alpha," said the man who had greeted me. I looked closely and saw it was Ace."Where?" I said."In the meeting room. The same one as last time."I grunted, increased my strides. Ace and Silas had to try to keep up with my lengthy strides. As I walked, my eyes swept the area, noting whether the improvements I had suggested earlier had been done. The moment I pushed open the door to the meeting room, the murmured conversation among those gathered stopped. They turned in my direction. Even when they stood to pay their respects, I could clearly see the worry etched on every face, even on Silas's as he took his seat."Sit down, everyone and let's get down to business." I waited for them to settle down before continuing.

DIMITRI"Sign here too, sir," said the nurse to Silas.She pointed at the dotted lines on the document she was holding out to Silas. Silas signed there and in two more places before the nurse stepped back."Thank you. That's all." She turned to me. "Mr Dimitri, you are free to go home now."I nodded my thanks and started to move towards the hospital's exit. I noticed Silas's pursed lips. He looked disapproving, but said nothing."What's the matter? Did you want me to have a long vacation at the hospital?" I joked.He held open the car door for me, waited until I had eased myself in before going on to the driver's side."I don't want anything of the sort," he said seriously as he drove out of the hospital grounds and eased into traffic. "But I wonder why you feel it's okay to leave the hospital when Valeria is still in there, thinking she will find you in bed when she wakes up. Yesterday, she was so worried about you. Don't you think it's fair to remain by her side at this time, or at