Page 19 of Demon Valley Marked

It would only be a matter of time before I had to decide, especially now that I knew Lexi was a part of the Monarch Empire—one of the four mafia empires of Hollow City.We’d be able to connect the dots once this deal was over with, and maybe then, I’d be able to figure out a way to return one on the plentiful lists of favors I surely owed Lex for her selflessness.

Maybe one of those ways was giving her the affection she deserves.

“So you finally bowed down to me, hmm?”

My gaze lifted to meet those half-opened eyes that danced between blue, purple, and pink—the iridescent orbs still filled with a haze of sleep that could either encourage her slumber once more or kindle a sense of wakefulness.

There was something about her words that triggered a memory I’d surely forgotten.

“You haveto bow down to me, Malifer! I’m going to be a queen one day.”

“Alphas don’t bow to queens,” I huffed.

“Yes they do,” she argued and pouted. “Besides, I’m going to be an Alpha one day.”

“Says who?”

“Says me!” she declared in triumph with a prideful grin. “Now bow!”

“Ugh. Father will get mad if he sees me bowing to a girl.”

“I’m not just some ordinary girl,” she argued. “I’m a princess and going to be a queen one day! That’s why you saved me from the mines.”

I stared at her and huffed. “It was Nathan who saved you.”

She laughed and gave me a look. “I can tell the difference between you and Nathan, Malifer.”

Her words made me blush as she leaned right in and unexpectedly kissed my cheek.

“Hey! You can’t… kiss me like that. I’m older! I’m the Alpha.”

“You and Nathan are the same age, silly.”

“N-N-No we’re not,” I tried to argue, but she giggled.

“I know something you don’t,” she teased as her eyes twinkled with joy. “So bow down to me or I won’t tell.”

“Ugh. You’re such a bully, Lex,” I groaned but carried a smile. “Fine. You’re the only one I’ll ever bow to, but this is the only time so you better cherish it.”

“I will!” she vowed. “And you’ll totally bow to me one day, Malifer. Just you wait.”

“Ya, ya.”

My eyes softenedat the memory and I whispered, “Guess you were right.”

“I’m always right,” she weakly huffed. “Memory loss ain’t getting rid of good memories like that.”

“Why?” The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“Why not?” she offered right back and gave me the best smile she could muster. “Didn’t think a virgin like me could pull off something as maddening as what I did?”

“You know I’d never use your purity against you,” I whispered in all honesty. “Nathan didn’t mean those words of hate and disgust. It was all to get you out of there… out of my father’s clutches… but if I knew how deep your suffering was at his hands… Lex…”

“It’s in the past, Alpha Malifer,” she whispered. “Nothing you say will change anything.”

“That doesn’t mean it should be dismissed,” I argued and didn’t hide the hurt that made my pounding heart ache in misery. “It doesn’t hide the sacrifice you made.”

She tried to smile as if to pull off that cynical persona like before when the others were present, but it fell flat while she briefly looked away.

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