Chapter 20

VALERIA’S POV The evening air in The Haven was surprisingly warm, filled with the soft murmur of voices and the occasional crackle of the fire. I stood near the makeshift cooking area, watching as the pack members gathered to eat the simple meal I had prepared. My nerves buzzed as I observed their reactions, waiting for any signs of disapproval or criticism. But the moment they took their first bites, I saw it—the subtle nods, the satisfied hums, and the faint smiles that lit up their faces. They liked it. A wave of relief washed over me, followed quickly by a flicker of pride. It was a simple dish, nothing extravagant as if we didn’t have enough resources. I prepared a vegetable stew and also added mushrooms to make it more filling. For the first time in years, I wasn’t cooking out of obligation or fear of punishment. I wasn’t cooking because someone demanded it. I was doing it because I wanted to. “Valeria, this is amazing!” one of the younger wolves, a girl named Lila, exclaimed wit