Chapter 137

VALERIA’S POV The air outside felt heavy. Thick with tension. Thick with something unnatural. I forced myself to breathe, to act normal as I stepped outside the packhouse. Every movement had to be measured, every glance had to be casual. If Dimitri even suspected that I was up to something, it could mean disaster. Just as I reached an open spot near the training grounds which looked so different now with all the decorations and everything else, my phone buzzed. Elijah. I quickly answered, keeping my voice low. "Elijah? Is everything okay?" I questioned. "Yeah, I just…" He sighed, a hint of guilt in his tone. "I’m sorry I’ve been away and not been able to help you." I blinked. I hadn’t expected that. He was calling to apologize? "It’s fine, Elijah," I assured him. "You needed time with your mate, and I get it. I’m not going to hold it against you." There was a brief pause. Then his voice softened. "Yeah, well… we marked each other." I stilled for a moment. "And I thought I should tell y