Bound by the family values of annihilating Alphas without mercy had honed me until I grew up to be a fine young lady disguised as an Alpha slayer.
I was treated as an illegitimate child—born out of wedlock—even though I was the firstborn before Papa married his four concubines and became part of the House of Cantavalle.
Born as Papa's first pup from my mother, his first mate, who he did not end up with due to circumstances, had brought me to my disadvantage. I was born to compromise everything and was trained not to harbor emotions.
No emotions.
We, the Cantavalle children, were not supposed to have that.
Having emotions would make someone weak.
I was a marionette under my father's hands who was bound to be the best Alpha slayer in the Cantavalle family.
No.
I was still one of the heir candidates, so I couldn't say I was the best Alpha slayer until Papa chose me as the next head of the House of Cantavalle.
"I have picked you to perform this big assignment. This is the right time to take advantage of this situation."
I was slightly surprised. "Who shall become my target from one of the horsemen, Papa?" Finally. With this assignment, I could prove to him more that I was suited to be the head of the House of Cantavalle.
I would become Marchioness Cantavalle in my own right.
The soft whisp of the parchment being shuffled bestowed music to the study room, bringing more anticipation on my part while remaining calm demeanor before Papa laid out that parchment.
"Here."
I accepted it and read it.
"Valerian Leveaux... Alpha of the Nocturnal Crest pack... and Duke of Alsfield..." My mouth dried at the mere mention of my next target. My thumb sparked friction against the rough parchment as I stated that name in my mind, engraving it in a graveyard tombstone with an exciting smile creeping on my lips upon seeing the portrait of my target. "Fascinating..." I chuckled softly.
"What is it?"
I saw him arching his eyebrow, curious at my response.
Meeting Papa's icy stare was something I was already accustomed to. Not only that, his eyes were blazing with abomination and unwillingness toward the Alphas just because of one person who imprinted a trauma on his part.
It was just one single Alpha that led him to become like this. Thus, we had to inherit his legacy and pass it down to the next generation of Alpha slayers.
I paused for a moment, testing the waters. "He is my mate."
"What?" Surprised was evident in his eyes, seeing that he did not expect my words. He stared at me, silencing me momentarily as if he was weighing my words after telling him how and when I knew that I was a mate of an Alpha he despised with. "Why did you not tell me sooner that he is your mate?"
"My apologies, Papa." I bowed my head, eyes fixated on the floor. "That is a mistake on my part."
Even though my loyalty to Papa prevailed, it was truly a mistake that I did not tell him sooner upon my arrival after going on a vacation in the Solacia where Valerian lived.
However, little did I know this was the beginning that I would start making excuses.
"It's you again..."
I could still remember that day when Valerian and I first met again at that moment. That surprised tone from his had created a small pathway to my heart.
Meeting Valerian at that time was letting these butterflies flutter in my stomach. I did not understand what I felt then, but my heart was hammering inside my chest like some rats were tunneling it. Even my wolf was feeling skittish just at the sight of him.
Bewildered at what I felt then, the first thing I did was comment sheepishly.
"Oh, I see! You are that man who looks like a volcano when it erupts!"
"What the hell?!"
I was only teasing him since his reaction was adorable, seeing how his lips turned south as if the world was against him.