The Princess's Revenge Chapter 67

Logan’s POV

We rode away from the stone house at a steady pace. The wind picked up as we rode, and I noticed Valencia's thin chemise fluttering.

"Alpha," she finally said as we turned onto the path leading away from the pack grounds. "May I ask where we're taking the horses?"

I glanced at her. "You'll see."

She bit her lip but didn't press further. The curiosity in her eyes was almost endearing.

"The weather's getting worse," Valencia said, looking at the dark clouds gathering overhead. "Do you think it will rain?"

"Probably," I said. "Are you worried about getting wet?"

"No," she said quickly. "I just... I was thinking about the wounded at the stone house. Rain makes injuries ache more."

"Dr. Vance knows how to handle it," I said. "Were you enjoying yourself?" I asked. "With Delphine?"

Valencia looked surprised by the question. "Yes, Alpha. She's... she's like a sister to me."

"Sister," I repeated, tasting the word. "You never had a sister."

"No," she agreed. "But if I did, I'd want her to be like Delphine. Kind and funny and caring."

"She makes you laugh," I observed.

Valencia's cheeks turned pink. "Is that wrong, Alpha?"

"No," I said. "It's good. You should laugh more."

The surprise on her face was almost comical. "You want me to laugh more?"

"When you're with me, yes," I said, then realized how that sounded. I cleared my throat. "I mean, you're too serious most of the time. It's good to see you relaxed."

"Oh," she said softly. "I... thank you, Alpha."

The clouds that had shielded us earlier had scattered, leaving us exposed to the intense sunlight.

The landscape shifted gradually as we descended from the castle's heights. The barren rocky ground gave way to patches of frozen brown grass that crunched under the horses' hooves. Bare pine trees stood in clusters, their branches creaking in the cold wind.

Dead vines clung to the rocks along the path, and patches of frost covered the shaded areas despite the afternoon sun. Ravens called harshly from the skeletal birches that lined our route, their bare branches reaching toward the gray sky like bony fingers.

We reached a narrow gap between two towering rock walls. I dismounted and tied my horse to a sturdy pine branch. Valencia climbed down from her mount, moving to secure her horse.

"Alpha," she asked while looping the reins around a tree trunk. "What is this place?"

I watched her confused face. I moved closer to her, letting a smile play at my lips. "This is Whisper Valley. A secret location." I gestured toward the narrow opening in the rocks. "You'll know what it is soon enough."

I motioned for her to follow me and stepped into the stone gap.

The temperature rose noticeably as we moved through the passage. The rock walls pressed close on both sides, barely wide enough for my shoulders. Valencia stayed close behind me.

When we emerged from the gap, the sight before us made even me pause to appreciate it.

Steam rose from dozens of hot springs scattered across the valley floor. The pools varied in size - some barely three feet across, others stretching twenty feet or more. Crystal-clear water reflected the afternoon sky, creating patches of brilliant blue among the green moss. The air was thick with moisture and carried the faint mineral scent of sulfur. Water trickled constantly as the springs overflowed into small streams.

I turned to look at Valencia.

She stood frozen at the valley entrance, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide with complete shock. Her expression was so genuinely amazed that she looked adorable.

I fought to suppress a laugh and took her hand. "Do you like it?"

She didn't answer immediately, still staring at the springs like she couldn't believe they were real.

"I... Alpha, this is..." She struggled to find words. "It's incredible."

"Come on," I said, tugging her hand gently. "The best pool is further in."

"The best pool?" Her voice rose slightly. "You mean we're going to...?"

"Get in? Yes." I kept walking, pulling her along. "Unless you're afraid of a little hot water."

"I'm not afraid," she said quickly. "I just... I've never been to hot springs before."

We reached the largest pool at the valley's heart. The water was perfectly clear, steam rising steadily from its surface. Smooth rocks formed natural steps leading into the water.

"Never?" I glanced back at her.

"Slaves don't exactly get spa days, Alpha."

The matter-of-fact way she said it made my chest tighten. I squeezed her hand. "Well, you're not just a slave anymore."

Valencia’s POV

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stopped walking, my hand still in his, staring at him in complete shock. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.

"What?" The word came out as barely a whisper. "Alpha, I don't understand. I'm wearing a collar. I'm still—"

"Not for much longer," Logan said, turning to face me fully. His gray eyes were serious, more intense than I'd ever seen them. "Tomorrow, I'm holding a Luna ceremony."

My legs felt weak. I couldn't process what he was saying. "A Luna ceremony? But why are you telling me—"

"I'm announcing you as my Luna, Valencia."

The world tilted. I grabbed onto a nearby rock to steady myself, my breathing coming in short gasps. "That's... that's impossible. I'm wolfless. I'm a slave. You can't—"

"I can and I will," Logan said firmly. He moved closer, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. "Valencia, look at me."

I forced myself to meet his eyes, even though tears were already blurring my vision. "Why?" I whispered. "Why me? You could have anyone. A strong she-wolf, someone from a noble family, someone who could actually help you lead the pack."

"Stop," he commanded, his voice sharp. Then softer, "You're not worthless."

"But I am," I insisted, the tears starting to fall. "I can't shift. I can't fight like a real wolf. I can't even feel the mate bond that everyone talks about. How could I possibly be your Luna?"

Logan's hands moved from my shoulders to cup my face, his thumbs wiping away my tears. "My wolf knew from the moment we first met," he said quietly. "That day at Marcus's funeral, when I saw you for the first time. Knox recognized you immediately."

"Recognized me?" I was confused, my heart racing even faster. "But how? I don't have a wolf. I can't feel any of that."

"You're my mate, Valencia," Logan said simply. "You can't feel it because your wolf is dormant. My wolf nearly went crazy when he saw you."

I stared at him, unable to speak. Mate. The word echoed in my mind like a bell. It couldn't be real. This had to be a dream.

"I don't..." I started shaking. "This feels like a dream. Like I'm going to wake up and be back in the dungeons, or scrubbing floors."

"It's real," Logan said. "You're real. This is real."

The tears came harder now, and I couldn't stop them. All those years of being nothing, of being treated like dirt, of believing I would die as a slave. And now Alpha Logan was saying I was his mate. His Luna.

"I don't know how to be a Luna," I sobbed. "I don't know anything about leading. I can barely read. I don't know pack politics or ceremonies."

"You'll learn," Logan said, pulling me against his chest. His arms wrapped around me, strong and warm. "You're smart, Valencia. Smarter than most of the nobles I know. You survived years of slavery. You killed Landon. You helped defend the pack when I was gone."

"But everyone will hate it," I whispered against his chest. "A wolfless Luna. A former slave. They'll challenge you. They'll say you've gone mad."

"Let them try," Alpha Logan's voice was dangerous now. "I'm the strongest warrior in this kingdom. Anyone who wants to challenge my decision can face me."

I pulled back to look at him. "You'd fight your own pack members for me?"

"I'd fight anyone for you," he said simply. "You're mine, Valencia. My Luna. No one will change that."

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. "I'm scared," I admitted. "What if I fail? What if I embarrass you? "

Alpha Logan silenced me with a gentle kiss on my forehead. "You won't fail. You're stronger than you know." His hands were gentle as they wiped my tears again.

"But Amara—"

"After tomorrow's ceremony, Amara will have to think twice about the challenge," Alpha Logan said. "Attacking a Luna is different from attacking a slave. The whole pack would turn against her."

I leaned into him, my face buried in his chest, breathing in his scent. "This morning I was just a slave," I whispered. "And now you're telling me I'm going to be Luna. My head is spinning."

"I know it's a lot," Logan said, his hand stroking my hair. "But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

"I trust you." I nodded against his chest. "When you announce it tomorrow," I said slowly, "what if the pack refuses? What if they won't accept a wolfless Luna?"

"Then they can find another pack," Logan said bluntly. "My decision is final."