The Enemy's Deal: It's More Than Just a Contract

Valerie was still sleeping when a stone hit her window, and she had to wake up. She knew it was her best friend Elora. They would be going out soon, and she must have come to remind her of that.

"Valerie!" Elora called out to her through the window. "Are you awake yet? It's almost time to leave."

Valerie popped her head out of the window. "I will be out in a few minutes. Or do you want to come in and wait?"

Elora shook her head slightly. "I still have to go back and do some touches to my makeup. See you in an hour."

Elora left and Valerie went on to get ready. They would be going to the club outside the pack to have some fun; that had been the only thing that made Valerie happy in the Pack.

She stared at the clock and it was past eleven. Since they would be leaving by twelve, and she was done getting ready, she decided to sit by the window and stare at the beautiful dark sky.

"One... Two ... Three..." Valerie counted the stars.

She heard a knock on the door and quickly lay on the bed, then wrapped herself in a blanket.

"Valerie?" Her father called. "Are you asleep?" Valerie did not reply. "She must be asleep," her father mumbled and left.

Valerie stood up from the bed and went on to gather some clothes to form a figure on the bed; a good way to make her father think she was still asleep if he or the maids ever came in.

Valerie stared at the figure on the bed covered with a blanket and her lips curved into a smile.

"Perfect!"

She took her bag, turned off the light, and jumped out of the window.

"Just in time," she heard Elora's voice.

"You're back already?" Valerie asked walking towards her. "I was about to come in and fetch you."

Elora smiled. "Well, I am here now. We can leave."

They left the Pack house and walked down the now-empty street. Most of the Pack members were asleep already and even if they weren't, they had all retired to their houses.

"Elora?" Valerie called out. "What do you think the club would be like today?"

Elora wasn't sure what Valerie meant by that. "Normal, I guess," she answered. "Or maybe even lively. I heard there are going to be some big boys from the Crescent Pack."

Elora went on to tell her what she had heard in the past hours and she smiled.

This is her best friend. The only one, aside from her father, who loves and understands her.

She smiled again. What would life have been like without Elora? Perhaps she would have been confined by the rumors surrounding her life and lost her self-esteem.

"Elora," she called out again. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Elora nodded.

"Why did you choose to make friends with me despite the rumors surrounding my birth?"

Elora stopped walking. She stared at Valerie's sad face, and all she could do was pull her into a hug.

Valerie has always been lively despite all the rumors about her being a curse. Always helping out and smiling, but tonight was different.

Elora did not know why. She just knew she needed to assure her friend that everything would be fine; she had always been a strong woman.

"It doesn't matter what others say about you. I will always be your best friend," Elora assured her, and that was enough reason to make her happy again.

She pulled away from the hug and held Elora's hand. "Then let's go have some fun!"

Elora felt happy to see her best friend smiling and feeling alive again.

She nodded. "Yes, let's go have some fun."

They left the Pack gate and entered the taxi that was already waiting for them. It has been a usual routine for them; most of the guards knew them.

During the drive to the club, they talked about what had happened at the club the day before and went on to talk about what they expected today.

The driver watched them through the mirror and smiled. He had been their driver for a year and had loved how lively they usually are when they board his car.

They got to the club and he stopped. "Have some fun!" He told them when they came down.

"Sure we will," Elora answered.

"You should have some fun too. See you in three hours," Valerie added.

The driver left and they headed into the club. The music was very loud and the club was crowded; they had to squeeze themselves through. When they finally got to the bar area, they took a stool and sat down.

"You're finally here," the bartender said. "I thought you would not be coming."

"We aren't missing this for anything," Elora answered. "Are the big boys here yet?"

"You heard the news too?" The bartender asked.

Elora nodded. "It was all over the place."

"But I had no idea about it," Valerie answered.

"You were never interested in men. Were you?" Elora asked.

That made Valerie scoff. Maybe if she were not considered a curse and they had not avoided her like she was some plague, she would have been interested in them.

"Can I have my usual?" Valerie spoke up after a while.

"Sure," the bartender answered. "I will be back, Miss Elora, to give you the full information."

What information? Valerie wondered.

"What were you both talking about?"

"Nothing serious," Elora answered. "I heard the Ice Pack Alpha has finally found their real daughter. She's been missing for twenty-four years."

Valerie nodded. There had been news a year ago that the proud daughter of the Ice Pack Alpha was not the real daughter but was switched at birth. Everyone had tried to be this missing daughter but were caught.

"I hope this time she is the real one," Valerie said and Elora nodded.

She hopes so too.

The bartender returned and handed over Valerie's drink to her.

He went on to tell them about the missing daughter. Elora and Valerie were surprised to hear that she is from the Moonlight Pack.

"Are you sure about that?" Valerie asked and the bartender nodded.

"My information is never wrong. It's from the right source."

Valerie and Elora stared at each other. There had been no news about this in their Pack.

Who could the daughter be?

"Did your dad tell you about it?" Elora asked.

"No, he did not. Did your dad tell you?" Valerie asked.

Since they both did not have any idea about it, they decided to have fun and think about that later.

"Would you like to dance?" Elora asked, standing up.

Valerie stood up too. "Sure."

They joined those dancing on stage; the crowd had reduced greatly.

After dancing for a while, Valerie told Elora she wanted some fresh air so they went outside. On their way, they met two men. One seems to be very drunk or maybe they thought he was.

They both walked past them and when he stepped on Valerie, she pushed him away.

"Watch your step!"

"I am so sorry," the man apologised but Valerie ignored him.

"Sorry for yourself!" She mumbled, as she tried to walk past him. Someone pushed her, and she almost fell. The man was quick to grab her by the waist and pull her up. Valerie got angry about it and pushed him away.

"Are you trying to take advantage of me?" She yelled.

"I was only trying to help," the man answered.

"Help? These don't seem like help to me. You have it all planned out. Well, sorry to burst your bubble. You can't get me!"

The man was surprised. Why would she think that?

"I did not mean to step on you," he defended. "And I apologised. I also did not mean to hold you. I was only trying to help. Why are you being so rude?"

Valerie ignored him and walked out. He wasn't the first to try to get her attention using this method, but when they find out that she is cursed, they run away without looking back.

"Val," Elora called. They were seated on a bench and staring at the dark beautiful sky. "I think you took it too far this time. The man meant no harm."

Valerie shook her head. "Elora, we both know what the past ones have been like. He is just one of them."

Elora sighed. There isn't anything she will say that would convince Valerie.

But she understands.

She understands why Valerie is like this. It wasn't her fault. Maybe if they had all treated her well even after finding out that she is a cursed omega with no wolf or mate, things would have been different.

Elora can still remember when Valerie first returned to the Moonlight Pack; she was ten.

Her mother's only sister had just died, and there was no one to take care of her, so she was brought back from the Starlight Pack.

Elora remembered she was a very quiet and timid girl and she had loved her the first time she saw her.

She became the only one she spoke to but as time went on, she became more and more open to others. Everything changed at eighteen, when she was yet to have her wolf, and the rumor that she might be the cause of her mother and aunt's death suddenly began.

Friends began to leave her and everyone avoided her. Mothers warned their children to stay away from her. People talk about her when they see her.

Valerie went back to being the timid, quiet girl she was when she first came.

Elora's father did warn her at first to stay away from her, but when she did not listen and insisted that Valerie wasn't cursed, her father left her.

It took a while before Elora was able to get her friend to speak to her again, and though she became lively again, there were times she fell back into her quiet mode, and she had to wait until she was ready to speak again.

Elora stared at Valerie. Two years ago, when they stumbled upon this club and had been coming over to have fun, Valerie stopped drifting into her quiet mood and has been very lively.

She had also tried to give love a chance and had hoped to meet her mate one day, but now, at twenty-four, she had stopped believing in that.

Maybe that was because men had treated her badly in the past few years and many had judged her based on the rumor.

Elora held her hand and made her rest her head on her shoulder.

"Valerie," she called softly. "I know that one day, you will meet someone who will love you no matter what others think about you."

Valerie nodded but said nothing. She had long stopped believing in that and had already accepted her fate of not having a wolf or a mate.

"How about we go in and have more fun?" She asked and Elora agreed.

They returned, took a few more drinks before going to dance some more. By the time they were done dancing, it was past three and time to go home.

They waved at the bartender and then left the club. While waiting for the taxi man to be back, a few men offered to drop them off but they refused.

"Do you need a ride?" Someone asked.

It was the same man whom Valerie had had an argument with a while ago.

"Did we ask for your help?" She asked him.

"I am so sorry. I just want to help," he said but Valerie ignored him.

"Thank you," Elora answered. "I don't think she wants your help."

The man nodded. "I guess she doesn't. See you ladies around."

After he drove off, Elora stared at Valerie, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Why do I have a feeling that you like him?"

Valerie scoffed. Like who?

"I do not like him."

"Valerie, you like him. You are just scared."

Valerie groaned. Where did she get this love-struck brain friend from?

"I am not scared, Elora. And I don't like him either. I just don't like that he kept bothering me."

Elora nodded. "Fine. I believe you. Our driver is here."

They entered the car and returned to the Moonlight Pack. It was dawn already and a few Pack members were awake; they had to go through the back gate to avoid being caught.

They got to Valerie's room first. Valerie hugged Elora for the last time before Elora left. Valerie climbed over the window and was back in her room. She headed to the bathroom, took a quick bath, and then changed into her pyjamas.

She jumped on her bed, covered herself with a blanket and in a few minutes she was sleeping peacefully.

Valerie did not sleep for long; the knock on her door woke her up.

"Valerie, wake up. I have news for you," Elora said, knocking on the door.

Valerie stood up from the bed, yawning slightly. She wasn't satisfied with her sleep yet and if it wasn't Elora, she would have ignored the knock completely.

She opened the door and Elora rushed in. She looked so worried and Valerie could tell she had cried.

What had happened in the last few hours they had been away from each other?

Her sleepy eyes became clear as she led Elora to the bed.

"Is anything wrong, Elora? Talk to me."

Elora took a deep breath. "You know the missing daughter of the Ice Pack?" Valerie nodded and Elora took a deep breath again. "I-I am that daughter."

Valerie stared at her and burst into laughter. "Elora, your jokes are funny."

Elora shook her head. "I am not joking, Val. My dad told me when I got back. I will be leaving in two days."

Valerie blinked. Elora is not joking? And she is leaving in two days?

"Y-you mean you are not joking?"

Elora nodded, and Valerie stood up. She moved to the wall and placed her head on it. The thought of Elora leaving made her cry, but she didn't want Elora to see that. Elora moved closer to her and hugged her, while they both wept.

It was finally the day for Elora to leave the Moonlight Pack, but Valerie could not bring herself to see her off, so she stayed indoors.

She watched through the window to see when Elora would walk past; thank goodness her window leads to the main gate.

Valerie thought about the last two days they had spent together; they were almost inseparable.

They had spent time visiting places they had always enjoyed going in the Moonlight Pack and making snacks they enjoyed together.

They even sat under the oak tree where they sit every full moon to reminisce about memories they had once shared.

The thought of Elora leaving weighed heavily on Valerie, and even though Elora had assured her she would return as soon as possible to see her, Valerie could not help but feel sad.

What would her life without Elora be like?

Valerie kept staring at the window and wondering if Elora had changed her mind about leaving; it was past noon and there wasn't any sign.

She heard a knock on the door which made her turn. "Yes? Who is that?"

"It's Elora. Can I come in?"

Is Elora not going anymore? Valerie wondered.

Valerie went to the door to open it. Elora waved slightly. "Thought I should come say one last goodbye," she mumbled.

Valerie knew she was supposed to see Elora for the last time no matter how sad she was about her leaving.

"I am sorry," she mumbled. "I should have come to..."

Elora pulled her into a hug. This wasn't the time for any of them to feel angry or apologetic, but a time to hug themselves and make use of the little time they had together.

"I will always call you," Valerie said, pulling away from the hug.

"I will drop you texts, send you pictures and videos," Elora said with a smile. "But promise me you will be happy. You will try to be happy."

Valerie nodded. Although she wasn't sure if she would be happy after Elora leaves, she still promised her.

"I will be happy," she said.

"I am leaving," Elora said, staring at the wall clock. "My parents are here to pick me up already. Would you like to come say hello to them? Everyone is waiting in the hall."

Valerie nodded. "I will come with you."

Valerie followed Elora out of her room. They walked down the hallway in silence. A few maids stopped to offer their greetings and bid farewell to Elora. A lot of them were sad, telling Elora to visit as soon as she could.

Valerie wasn't the only one who would miss Elora; Valerie knew that. Elora had been such a nice person to everyone.

"I am going to miss her," a maid said.

"I wonder how her best friend would cope," another maid said. "Do you think she would go back into her shell?"

"Was she once quiet?" The first maid asked. "Did something happen before?"

"Shhh..." The second maid placed her hand over her lips. "Lower your voice. She is still close by."

Valerie heard them clearly, but she chose to ignore them.

"I guess you are new here," the second maid continued. "It's a story for another day."

Valerie took a deep breath. What if she ends up withdrawing again?

They got to the conference hall where the Alpha, the Beta, and Elora's new parents were seated. There was also another lady; Valerie suspected her to be the Beta's real daughter.

Elora held Valerie's hand and led her to her new parents.

"Mom, Dad, this is Valerie, my best friend."

Valerie stared at them; she could feel a sense of familiarity, but she couldn't say where or how they had met before.

"It's nice to meet you, Val," Elora's mother greeted.

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am," Valerie answered.

She exchanged a short greeting with Elora's new father before going to sit beside her father; Elora sat beside her new parents too.

"Val, this is Luella, Nathan's daughter," Valerie's father, the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack introduced.

Valerie nodded but said nothing. She had nothing to say and had no plans to make friends with her until she was sure she was anything close to Elora in good character.

Luella stood up and walked up to Valerie. She stretched her hand to her for a shake. "Nice to meet you, Valerie."

Valerie nodded slightly. "Nice to meet you too Lucy..."

"It's Luella," Luella corrected.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Luella. I will try to remember your name next time."

Luella shook her hand slightly, reminding Valerie that her hand was still hanging.

Valerie smiled. "I am so sorry, Lucy... I mean Luella. I do not shake hands."

Luella frowned. Valerie was being rude to her and nobody said anything about it.

Just because she is the Alpha's daughter?

She faked a smile to conceal her anger. "I get that, Val. I will remember that next time."

Luella stomped her foot on the floor slightly before returning to her seat while murmuring some words.

"I guess we can start going now?" George, the Alpha of the Ice Pack and Elora's real father spoke up. "We still have a long way to go."

Luella stood up and walked closer to him. "I am going to miss you, Father."

George nodded but said nothing. Luella moved closer to Mira, Elora's mother, but she looked away, speaking to Elora instead.

Valerie began to wonder what had happened between Luella and her adopted mother but she decided not to think about it.

"Come, Val," Elora gestured to her.

She moved closer to Elora, and they left the hall together while others followed behind them.

They did not walk for too long before they got to the place where Elora's parents' car was parked. Elora exchanged one last greeting with Valerie before leaving with her parents.

"Don't forget to call me when you get there!" Valerie yelled after Elora.

"I promise I will," Elora yelled back.

Valerie stayed until she could no longer see the car before heading back to her room saying nothing to anyone. Luella followed her, trying to get to know her.

"I am so sorry, Luella," Valerie said to her. "My best friend just left and I feel sad about it. I can't speak to you today. I will come find you when I feel better."

Valerie entered her room, leaving Luella outside.

Luella frowned. Who does Valerie think she is?

She had no plans to make friends with her in the first place, if her new father had not insisted on getting close to her.

Luella returned to her room too, but promised herself not to get close to Valerie again.

Valerie closed the door she had opened slightly a while ago, to peep at Luella. She had felt bad about the way she treated Luella and had wanted to invite her in, but when she heard her murmuring to herself about not wanting to be friends with her, she decided to stay back.

She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She began to think of how life at the Moonlight Pack would be without Elora.