Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 111: Exit Strategy

Valerie’s POV

I didn’t remember how I got back to my room.

Only that the doors closed behind me.

And everything I had been holding together...

Broke.

My back hit the door with a soft thud as my fingers curled tightly against the wood.

I stood there for a few minutes just trying to breathe, because it felt like something was lodged in my chest.

I stood there for a while then I broke into laughter.

It was a hollow, broken sound that sounded nothing like me.

I couldn’t believe that Mike had humiliated me like that. In front of everyone.

And he had done it at such a critical moment when everyone was after my hide.

It was as if he couldn’t wait to show everyone that he wanted nothing to do with me.

In that case, what was I still doing in this pack?

What was I still holding on for?

My knees gave out.

And I slid down slowly until I was sitting on the floor.

The floor was cold but I didn’t feel anything.

My fingers trembled slightly as I pressed them against my lips.

As if I could stop the memory from replaying.

But it didn’t work.

Because I could still hear him.

"Do you know what that does to my authority?"

"It makes me look weak."

My chest tightened painfully.

A sharp breath escaped me.

Followed by another.

And another.

Like I couldn’t get enough air.

Like I was suffocating.

Why did it still hurt so much? Wasn’t I already used to such humiliation?

I had lived like a slave for so many years and there wasn’t any kind of pain I hadn’t experienced. So, why did it hurt so much this time?

Well, I guess I deserved this wake up call, because I had forgotten everything after only a short time.

I had forgotten who Mike was, what I was to him, and that I never mattered to him at all.

I had forgotten that he could even use me for a bet with his friend with me being the prize.

He could confidently tell his friend that he would give me to him once he was done with me.

So, what did I expect to happen?

Why did I have any hopes for him?

Tonight, he made sure I remembered who I was and where I stood.

My head dropped forward, resting against my knees.

I bit down hard on my lip in an attempt to stop their quivering and the sobs that were threatening to break free, but I still failed.

I couldn’t stop the tears nor could I stop the ache in my heart.

I couldn’t stop the hollow feeling spreading through my chest.

This hurt more than anything before.

More than the beatings.

More than the hunger.

More than the years of being invisible.

Because back then....I expected it.

I understood my place and I knew I didn’t matter.

But now...

Now I had something.

A title.

A position.

And connections.

And for a moment,....Just a moment,

I thought...

Maybe it meant something.

Maybe I meant something.

My fingers clenched tighter.

"Stupid..."

"How could I be so stupid?"

The word came out hoarse.

Because I should have known better.

I should have remembered.

I should have never let myself believe...even a little

That he could be different.

That he could see me.

That he could...

My breath hitched again.

And I shut my eyes tightly.

No.

I couldn’t go down that road.

Since Mike was never mine to begin with, I should pull myself together and move forward.

"Val..."

Lizzie’s voice came softly this time. This time, it didn’t warn me or reprimand me.

It felt comforting and gentle.

"I told you," she said quietly.

I let out a shaky breath.

"I know."

"You’re hurting."

I let out a hollow laugh.

"That obvious?"

"You’re drowning in it."

Of course Lizzie could feel it. She is my wolf and we share feelings.

Silence fell for a moment before I took another deep breath.

At least now I wasn’t alone.

"I hate this," I whispered.

"The bond?"

"Everything."

My fingers tightened slightly.

"I hate how he can do that to me," I continued. "How he can say those things... and it still affects me."

I really wish I didn’t feel anything.

If I had kept my distance like Lizzie advised in the beginning, our bond wouldn’t have become stronger and his words wouldn’t affect me so much.

"He showed you who he is," Lizzie said. "Believe it."

I swallowed hard because Lizzie’s words were indeed true.

Mike was just showing me who he was. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

And that hurt more than the humiliation itself.

Knowing that my mate was someone so selfish.

"What are you going to do?" Lizzie asked.

"I’m leaving."

The words came out quiet but firm.

This time, I was certain about leaving this pack.

Lizzie didn’t respond immediately.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

My hands unclenched slowly and my breathing steadied.

Because once the decision was made, everything else became clearer.

"I can’t stay here," I said. "Not like this."

"You’ll lose everything."

I shook my head slightly.

"No," I murmured. "I’ll lose what was never mine to begin with."

That Luna title was just an illusion. I couldn’t live an illusion forever.

Nothing was worth staying for.

"And where will you go?" Lizzie asked.

"The human world."

The words felt strange.

But right.

"I’ll build something there," I continued. "Something that’s mine. Something no one can take away."

I already had a registered company and a patent application that I was sure would be approved.

I pushed myself up slowly, ignoring the dull ache in my body.

My legs felt unsteady for a second then I steadied myself.

I walked toward the desk.

Toward the only place that still made sense.

The screen lit up as I activated it.

I sat down slowly, flexing my fingers once before letting them move.

Lines of code appeared on the screen.

I needed to make more money, and the dark web was my best choice.

My fingers moved quickly now.

Accessing networks, encrypted channels, and hidden systems.

In the dark web, it didn’t judge me based on a wolf I didn’t show.