Chapter 48: The Third Death

On the night of Valerian's match, I visited him and did the same flow of events with him. Yes, I was happy he was alright, almost crying upon seeing him. However, his behavior changed as he became distant.

"Someone is not caring about my welfare anymore," Valerian said in a sing-song tone while being dragged since he asked for our privacy before his match. "Someone is not worried about me. Someone does not want me as her pet."

I secretly clenched my teeth, not wanting to say anything. I chanted in my head that it was better Valerian misunderstood me. I will explain to him later.

"Someone is getting tired of me. Someone is going to discard me soon."

I did not say anything. Valerian was sulking, I know. I must assure this man since I did not want him to continue having that attitude.

"Oh, look. My master doesn't want me anymore," Valerian said bitterly after we were left alone, and he was shoved on the floor.

Sighing, I crouched down and held his cheek. "Val..."

His face contorted. "Don't Val me, master." He smirked. "Just tell me that you do not want—"

I did the thing he did not like the most. I was expecting that he would break our kiss, but Valerian responded before he stood up and lifted me in his arms. I gasped when he roughly made me lean to the wall I could feel his eagerness when he reached for my dress to undo the ties.

My perky breasts were waving in front of him while his other hand was reaching under my skirt, but he stopped our hungry kiss when he felt something.

Valerian's sinful lips curled up into a smirk. "You are wearing nothing underneath, master. Are you anticipating my cock already?"

I looked into his eyes, wanting to say how much I missed him. "Yes... Considering how much you sulk, I know you also badly want me..." I said in my sultry pitch.

Valerian purred before he softened and kissed me again. This time, he took his sweet time to please me and took me roughly and hard until we both cum.

We were both panting while his cock was still inside me before he and I rested on the couch. However, I felt my chest tighten since I did not get to hear the words he said before.

He did not say anything, but his breathing was unstable. It felt hurt since he did not get to propose to me.

I felt like I was going to cry since everything had changed. I chose not to see him yesterday, so it would be impossible that he would ask for my hand already.

"Let's see each other again," I whispered, trying my best not to have my voice croak.

That made him stiffen before he met my eyes with a huge creased smeared on his forehead. Then he reached for my cheek. 'Tell me. What is happening with you?'

I was surprised when he used his finger to tap on my cheek gently to use morse code to speak with me. That was supposed to be me that I would use to tell him what he needed to do, but... he took the credit from me?

It felt the same as the endearment, honeydew. I was the one who insisted on honeydew as our endearment during my first timeline, but when I regressed, Valerian was the one who first thought about it.

Nodding, I got away from his lap and proceeded to dress again. I did not say anything since my chest was tightening right now. I did not receive the things I wanted to hear. But this was a good thing that made things complicated for later.

"Good luck," I glanced at him before looking away and was about to stride when Valerian suddenly hugged me from behind.

"Promise me that you will be fine even if I am gone, Dominixe."

I gritted my teeth before I tried to remove his hands from me. "Valerian..." I did not want to shed a tear remembering what happened before I regressed, and it would happen again tonight.

"Why are you avoiding me?" I shivered when he whispered with a painful tone in his voice. "Shouldn't I be mad and avoid you instead of you?"

I bit my lower lip, feeling my heart pounding so fast. "I still have something to do. Just do what you need to do tonight and be a good contender for your opponents." I gasped when Valerian hugged me so tight. "Vale—"

"I am not going to let you go, Dominixe. Remember that." I gulped when his tone became earnest. "I am going to anticipate every move you will make this time. I am not... going to let you outsmart me."

I creased my forehead. "Outsmart you?" What did he mean by that? I did not even outsmart him! What the hell was he saying?

I tried to twist my body to look at him, but he wouldn't let me. He only buried his head on my neck as he breathed in it.

"I am relieved to see you, honeydew." He sighed and kissed my cheek, not answering my question. "I cannot wait to have you and marry you soon."

My eyes widened at his words. My wolf even squirmed and purred at the same time. "Valerian..."

Valerian's hands brushed his hands on my arms, making me shiver down my spine before he reached for my left hand and inserted the ring made from wire. My jaw dropped upon seeing it, shocked that he still gave that to me.

"This is not an engagement ring, but a promise ring," he whispered from behind me and raised my left hand before he brought it to his lips. Our eyes met before his gaze softened. "This is a promise that it will only be you as the only woman and my mate in my heart, Dominixe." He made me turn at him while I couldn't utter a word. "I promise I shall give you the most expensive engagement and wedding rings—a rare diamond, if you want. And I promise always to find you no matter where I am. Even if I am facing death."

My eyes were getting misty. "Val..." I bit my lower lip when he cupped my face.

Damn it... Why couldn't I say another word for his confession? It was already here.

This was what I had been waiting for. What was wrong with me, and I was rendered speechles?

Valerian kissed my closed eyes. "Remember that you will be Mrs. Valerian Leveaux soon." He kissed my nose. "You will be the Luna of the Nocturnal Crest pack." He kissed my forehead. "...the Duchess of Alsfield." Lastly, he kissed me on my lips. But it was quick before his chartreuse eyes pierced me. "And the mother of our future pups." He took my hand and kissed the back of it. "See you later, Dominixe Lilith Cantavalle-Leveaux."

Until he was gone, I was immobile before I finally knelt on the floor, feeling my heart pounding so fast inside my ribcage. I couldn't explain what I was feeling right at this moment.

What Valerian said was beyond imaginable. I thought I would hear the same words he uttered before I regressed, but... he said different words, but the point met in the line.

Even though he did not say the three words, eight letters I was expecting, it was enough to make my heart go wild right now. I was speechless since I already gave up that he wouldn't say those words, but I received something more.

His words had melted me. It took me a long moment before it was finally processed in my mind.

"I did not get to say anything before he left..." I muttered, feeling my cheeks getting burn in embarrassment. "Shit..."

Shaking my head, I decided to leave the room before I happened to pass by one of the personnel here in the arena. Then I felt a parchment secretly hand to me before I quickly hid it in between my breasts and told Papa that I had returned.

When he told me I would be Valerian's last contender, just like before I regressed, I went to the private room where my weapons and clothing were already there. When I was finished dressing, I read the folded parchment.

Everything is set.

-H

I burned the message before I covered my face with my mask as Lady Clockwork before I watched Valerian's match. I even had a conversation with Arthur. It was good that what we discussed back then was still the same.

I maintained my response so it would be the same result.

And the time had come when I would face Valerian as his last opponent.

"And now... The Rookie Alpha's last opponent will be no other than... Lady Clockwork!"

The same loud cheer echoed throughout the arena as I showed myself. I did not remove my mask this time and let Valerian smell my scent. He was growling at first before he barked as he transformed back into his human form.

"What is the meaning of this, D—"

I did not wait for Valerian to utter my name and attacked him with no remorse. If back then, I hesitated and almost committed s u i c i d e since I felt helpless and had no allies to rely on when I arrived here in the arena. However, I was still uncertain if the plans for tonight would work.

"Oi! Return to your wolf form!" The people jeered at Valerian, who was finding a way to avoid my sword smeared with wolfsbane.

"Tsk... Damn you, Dominixe... Why are you doing this?" Valerian felt betrayed. I saw his eyes look in pain even if he was in wolf form, and he bellowed angrily at me.

His claw almost hit my stomach when I managed to jump over him by supporting myself in his strong limbs that were covered with his black, thick fur. I glared at him under my mask, almost hissing at him.

Was he going to do that to me? Was he going to do the same thing he had done to his prior opponents, where he lacerated his opponent's stomach?

It seemed like it.

I could feel Valerian's anger before I cartwheeled backward when his claws almost hit my head again.

I squinted my eyes, realizing that this felt nostalgic. Valerian and I brawled when he knew I was the culprit who m a s s a c r e d his pack. The betrayal that I caused him to lose his will to fight me and eventually kill himself with my sword.

I had a feeling that he would do the same, so I must do what it took to be the one who must end him.

I oscillated my sword from left and right before I made a quick attack by making him throw to the wall using my wolf strength. It was almost a fatal blow since Valerian's wolf coughed with blood.

Please endure more, Valerian. This would be over.

If we play the cards right, everything would be safe.

I attacked him again when I saw Ismael already at the arena's entrance, holding his beloved golden spear. I even glanced in Papa's direction, who was smiling from ear to ear and did not even bother to wear his mask. It was apparent that he liked what was happening.

I was giving him a good show.

And we would continue giving him entertainment.

On cue, I rolled on the ground and went underneath him to bestow a good slice of a wound on his stomach that would make him bleed more. Everyone cheered for me as the pungent smell of Valerian's fresh blood became an air freshener around the arena while the ground was drenched with his crimson blood.

Valerian flounced in my direction before he made haste and prepared his sharp claws to hit me. However, before he could do that, he plummeted into the greasy, muddy ground with a spear piercing him.

I bit my lower lip, not wanting to wreak havoc upon seeing Ismael arriving while he was cocking his head from side to side. I even had to turn a blind eye when Valerian groaned in pain as the high-concentrated wolfsbane poisoned his whole body.

I gripped my sword's hilt upon seeing him in agony. My wolf urged me to help him before Valerian died again.

I raised my sword and was about to pierce him with it, but I immediately jumped back when I felt something throwing towards my direction. I gasped when a bottle of liquid shattered beside Valerian as he transformed back into his human form.

My nostrils took a quick sniff of benzene—light and aromatic, dark liquid mixed in the gasoline. After that, someone jumped from the benches in the arena. Then I saw Arthur, who landed perfectly on the ground with a big smirk on his lips.

He raised his hand, holding a lighted lamp. "Farewell."

"What...?" Just before I could react, Arthur threw the lamp in Valerian's direction, which made my jaw drop. "No!" I screamed, horrified when Valerian cried in affliction.

"Domi... nixe!"

My lips were quivering. "Valerian!" I was about to approach him, but Ismael held me. "Release me this instant!" I struggled.

"I am sorry, Domi..." Ismael looked troubled upon seeing me wanting to reach Valerian.

But I immediately tackled him down. The ground shook, creating a dome of sand and dust from the dry soil, covering the whole arena. That was the time Valerian stopped screaming.

"No!" Arthur held me at my waist and stopped me from struggling when I heard nothing. I panicked, which made my mask fall and exposed my petrified expression.

"Hold her." I was more horrified when Papa went down to watch everything while I struggled with Ismael's hold. "Well done." He smirked and looked at me. "Well done for killing your mate, Dominixe."

"W-What...?" My eyes widened.

Papa halted in front of me. "No matter how hard you try to hide, I would know." He cupped my cheek as his cognac eyes drew out with a frigid, deadpan expression.

I was doomed now. Papa had already confirmed that Valerian was my mate. And now... he died again.

For the third time!

No!

Britanny giggled beside us. "Aww... Pretending that he is your pet when he is your mate. Sadly, he is dead now!" She stuck her tongue out to annoy me.

Before I could utter another word, Papa's henchman arrived, panting. "M-My lord... T-Terrible news!"

Papa creased his forehead and frowned at him. "Terrible news? What is it?"

Arthur held me tighter and drew me closer. "How does it feel to lose your mate, Dominixe?" he whispered huskily when he saw that I gradually struggled upon learning about Valerian's death. I shivered when his lips brushed against my nape, which caused me to look at him disgustedly and feel betrayed.

"T-There is an act of arson at the Nocturnal Crest pack! It was said that there were no survivors left in it!"

"What?!" All of us said the same word while I had shivers down my spine.

What the hell was happening?