Chapter 40

• Mates existed to make one whole physically, mentally, and emotionally but as Valentine Monarch proceeded to look at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't see how any of that could be true in her case. She wasn't doing this because she loved the man the goddess had set her up with. Valentine reminded herself she was doing this for the safety of her pack. That was the most of it, to be honest. The true reason she had sold herself out so easily was to keep her family's legacy. The De' crescent had done it. They had made a pact with those murderous Alphas and remained standing six months after. In the De'crescent's case, they had something to offer the Crows. The monarch had none of that. No...the Monarch did have something. They had her and Devin would be coming to collect what belonged to him soon.
• "Valentine, you look beautiful." Her friend, Abigail, a beta of the monarch pack and the sole cosmetologist chosen to prepare her for Alpha Devin said as she padded a little more powder to brighten Valentine's natural pale skin.
• "I don't want to look beautiful." Valentine confided in Abigail. "Would it be cowardly if I told you I just want to run as far as I can?"