It Is Very Worthwhile.

Pov. Valentina

One month.

Today I have been in this city for a month.

A month I met Isabelle.

It all went by so fast it's surreal, I've been wondering when my life turned upside down so easily. Since the last time I had a moment alone with Isabelle and I almost kissed her but was rejected, I have been experiencing a bitter feeling that has been suffocating me night and day because I can't stop thinking that I shouldn't have given it time. for her to think too much, I should have kissed her right away, but I didn't want to kiss her and then get dumped. I just wanted to know what this is I've been feeling and if she's been feeling the same too.

I just wanted to understand.

It's very difficult to deal with all these things.

This has broken me.

I sigh as I walk through the woods knowing for sure that today will be like it has been this past week, training hard with Nick, Jensen and Henry while Sarah, Sasha and Isabelle train with Anaya. Another day away from Isabelle, things got a little weird between us, we didn't talk about what happened and I couldn't pretend the other day that there was nothing like the other time, because I'm too confused and she's been weird . I've noticed that she hasn't been sleeping well, she's pale and has avoided being too close to me for a long time, but even so I've been climbing her bedroom window and veiling her sleep every night.

It makes me think that I'm finally understanding what it feels like to be in pain without being physically hurt.

It's an unbearable thing, ten thousand times worse than being poisoned and thrown against a headstone.

I see the group of people who have been my daily companions since I arrived and only she wasn't there, I wonder if maybe she's inside the cave talking to Anaya or Kate who wasn't there either.

- Tina! - Jensen exclaims when he sees me and runs towards me and hugs me turning me in the air. - Happy one month rabid puppy. - he says and I smile hugging him back.

- Thank you, now put me down before I make you hug that tree in the cruelest way possible. - I ask and he laughs putting me on the floor.

- There, you don't need to take your sexual tension out on anyone. - mocks I punch his shoulder, I don't put too much force, just enough for him to grunt in pain. - Because I love a fag as aggressive as you? - He asks and I shrug seeing Nick approach Henry.

- So, what technique are you going to teach us today? - Henry asks excitedly and I think for a while.

I see Kate coming out of the grotto and looking around, as soon as her eyes land on me she smiles.

- Valentina, today you will train all of them together, I have an appointment and Anaya is solving some problems in the cafeteria. - He says loudly so I can hear and I nod.

I look at Sasha who shrugs and goes back to talking to Sarah, I take a deep breath and scratch the back of my head.

- Where is Isabelle? - I ask trying not to look worried and everyone looks at me.

- She wasn't feeling well last night, I think she won't come today. - Nick says worried and then sighs.

- What does she have ? I ask, unable to contain my worried tone.

- Missing You. - Says Sarah laughing.

- She's just got a headache and tired, the training has been hard. - Answers the blonde and I take a deep breath.

- Okay, I'll see how she is. - I say turning around and face the girl. - Isabelle. - I say low seeing his appearance apparently better and that's weird.

Until yesterday she was looking pretty bad and today she woke up with no trace of her sleepless nights and all that.

Hmm...

She looks at me from the corner and then passes me without saying anything and that leaves me broken, but I swallow hard and decide to start training, I walk in the same direction as her and my senses go on alert. I disguise acting normally as they form two lines and I notice Isabelle, but specifically around her neck, the locket I gave her wasn't there and that was enough to make me even more alert.

Isabelle hasn't taken the locket off her neck at any time since I gave it to her.

And she is attached to him.

I always see her holding him and looking at him all in awe.

Whoever this thing is, it's not Isabelle.

Where's the real one?

Does... ?

- Isabelle. - I call and she takes a step forward. - Did you bring your cell phone? - I ask and she denies it. - Great, because you're going to fight Nick. - complete and she smiles in a weird way confirming my suspicions even more.

- I don't want to fight my sister. - Nick says and I smile.

- If you want a fight, you have to be Lavely apprentice against Lavely apprentice. - I say and he looks at her worriedly, but then nods.

Little does he know that this isn't Isabelle.

I need to train her werewolf side of her.

- Are ready ? - I ask and they both nod. - So let's go. - I say and they start a fight.

I notice the fighting style she used and it reminds me of something, I know this fighting style, but what is the name of the clan that uses these indirect attacks. I need to remember

Three Marys.

The clan that once allied itself with the man who started one of the most horrific legacies in history.

The man the Floda Reltih adore even after he is dead.

But what does someone from this clan do here alone?

If I remember correctly, they always go around in groups of three to make reference to their clan's name. I watch the being impersonating Isabelle use the three Marias clan's famous death triangle battle formation and decide to stop the fight knowing whoever it is is here on a mission, a death mission.

- Enough. - I say seeing Nick get hit in the eye. - You've improved a lot, Isabelle. - I say pretending to be excited and she smiles.

- I'll be the best. - he says and I take my cell phone.

- I will have to take a break, I have to ask Anaya to bring something special that will motivate you a lot and while I talk to her, I want you to form pairs and train until I get back. - I say and they nod.

I look one last time at the fake Isabelle and then walk away, I know it can be dangerous to leave them alone with an imposter, but if something happens Sasha and Sarah will delay this being's plans. I run out of the forest and when I get to the beginning of the trail that leads to the forest I see Isabelle's house and mine, so I take my cell phone and dial her number, call several times but she doesn't answer, so I call again and on the third ring she answers .

* Call On

- Valentina? Hearing her voice calmed me down.

- Isabelle, where are you? - I ask and hear someone say something.

- I'm with Aunt Naya. - he answers and I breathe a sigh of relief.

- Are you okay ? I ask and hear her muffled laugh.

- I'm fine, I felt a little bad earlier, but Naya picked me up at home and is taking care of me here at the cafeteria. - responds calmly.

- It all started, don't get out of there ok, you have to rest. I say calmly and hear her take a deep breath.

- Valentina? she-calls and I answer with a nasal sound. - Can you come here to pick me up after training? - she asks looking nervous while I'm surprised.

- Expect me. - I say thinking about what is happening to her. - Are you really okay? I ask and hear her sigh.

- I will wait for you. - He answers with a tone of voice that bothered me a lot. - Until later. - completes and then turns off.

Call Off *

There's something wrong with her.

I need to find out what happened.

Her tone of voice was happy when she answered and when I asked if she was really okay, she sounded sad. I take a deep breath getting ready to head back, but I stop when I see a strange guy approaching Isabelle's house. Dark hair, light eyes, beard, white skin and her hair was a little long so he combed it all back. I observe his physical type and notice that he is totally in shape, he seems to be lavishing health, he stands looking at the Lavely house and when I think about approaching him to approach him, he simply diverts his attention from the house and goes back to walking down the street, but not without smiling at me first.

That's weird.

I didn't like this guy.

I go back to where the others are and when I see them sitting while the fake Isabelle makes a show of back-to-back blows. I could finish her off right now, but it would be stupid to do so, I need you to think her plan is working one hundred percent so I can find out the reason for this bullshit. I look at the others who were smiling except Sarah, this one was idly staring at her fake best friend, it makes me think that maybe she noticed too. I sigh at that familiar scent and try to remember where I've smelled it before.

I'm sure I've smelled this scent before.

I just don't remember where.

___________________________________________________

Pov. Izzy

Valentina.

Valentina McGauthier Leblanc.

I look at Naya who is already looking at me smiling and she approaches me while I put my cell phone in my pocket and focus on re-inflating the balloons.

- What do you feel for her? - Asks sitting in front of me helping me with the balloons, but she used magic and that caught my attention.

- Can you teach me that? I ask and she nods.

- Of course, I can teach you to control your magic, but I must say that Valentina is the most suitable person for that. - he answers and I sigh.

- We haven't been very well this week. - I say avoiding looking at her, because Naya seems to have bionic senses.

She literally knows what you think just by looking into her eyes.

And I don't want to have to deal with that right now.

- That's how you're preparing a surprise party for her, admirable. - he says and I shake my head and bite my lip trying to keep the tears I've been holding back since that day from coming out.

- I'm not an admirable person Naya. I say and feel her eyes on me.

She is silent for awhile just looking at me as I pretend to be focused on the balloons.

- You should tell her. - she says and I look at her. - Telling everything is when I say everything, I mean everything, including what happened to Carter, what you've been going through these days and what you're feeling about her is how it confuses you. - complete and I can't hold back the tears anymore.

- I can't, I've been avoiding her, because I'm too weak to tell her about everything. - I say feeling the tears wet my face.

- You are not weak, you are going through a complicated situation where you have to bear several things at the same time. - He says holding my hand. - Your parents died right after you went through the worst thing anyone can go through, then Valentina arrives and changes everything, but it makes you feel a feeling that the last time you thought you felt almost killed you. I say you thought it was love, because it wasn't love, love is not something that breaks you, it rebuilds you as it is happening now, you were just unlucky that your true memories of what happened are coming back now. - complete and I sigh.

-I didn't want to disappoint her Naya, but I know I did it and I feel horrible for it, I can't look at her without remembering the expression on her face after I ran away from her kiss for the second time. I say and she hugs me.

- Don't be like that, you had your reasons, she'll understand, despite her young age, Valentina is very mature, she's been through things you can't even imagine and that turned her into a wonderful person even if she doesn't know it yet. - he says and I pull away a little to look at her.

- What do you know about her? - I ask and she smiles.

- Absolutely everything, her mother and I were best friends, but Valentina's mother moved after the girl turned two years old, Genevieve didn't like Emma having people around who made her think for herself. She says making me curious.

-Did I meet Valentina when she was a baby? - I ask and she smiles.

- You were glued despite your young age, you were always on the porch of your house playing together while Emma and Emily talked. - he answers and I smile. - Let's say that also bothered Valentina's other mother. - he says and I'm surprised.

- Why would two children playing together bother her? - I ask confused and Naya laughs.

- You will discover that dear, for now you should focus on resolving your conflicts. - he answers making me curious. - Besides, I'm not the best person to tell you about Genevieve, but I know that Valentina will do it little by little, if you just take a big step. - he continues and I roll my eyes at his engmas. - I'll see if the cake is already baked. - complete and I sign.

With each passing day I get more and more afraid about this Genevieve person.

She seems to be the devil on earth.

One more thing is certain.

I have to talk to Valentina.

___________________________________________________

Pov. Valentina

The morning went by fast and the fake Isabelle was watching everyone intently, especially Nick and Sarah who were talking and laughing, I look to the corner and see Sasha looking intently at the blonde.

- Valentina? - Calls Henry approaching.

- Yes ? I ask without looking at him.

- Izzy is strange don't you think? - he asks stopping beside me and that doesn't surprise me.

Of everyone here, he is the most observant, which is also not new since his clan is expert in espionage, they have a broader view of everything and more sensitive ears, they are also usually quieter, this is natural for all his clan. , something that completes the profile of perfect spies.

Wide view of everything, sensitive ears, quiet enough to go unnoticed.

I remember when Emma told me about the war years ago and how helpful her clan was.

Thanks to them we got important information to win the war.

- What did you notice so strange? - I ask and he looks at the girl.

-I think the most important thing is that after the punch that Nick took, his eye was affected. - he answers and I smile.

- I see that you are a legitimate heir of your clan. - I say and he smiles.

- I don't usually talk a lot, but since you arrived I've been watching you to the point that I know that on your recent trip, you said something on the phone related to Sarah and Izzy and Nick's parents. - he says and I shake my head.

- Just for the record, I already knew about your presence, so I spoke because I wanted you to know the truth about who you were, because I'm going to need your skills. - I say and he nods.

- To find the guy who might know something about what happened to the Lavelys. - he says and I nod.

- Only you can find him with Jensen, his clan's tracking skills will take you to the right place so you can find out what I need, but he still hasn't developed his tracking skills and maybe I'll have to send Miguel with you, which would be bad. I say and he sighs.

- Just as it would be bad to send my father, because they are known, since Jensen and I would not be noticed for not knowing each other. - he says and I nod.

He's smarter than I thought.

Apparently my trip bore more fruit than I expected.

- You can count on me, but just tell me one thing and I want the truth. - He says and I nod looking at him who looks at me seriously. - Is there any chance their parents are alive? - he asks and I sigh.

- That's why I need you and Jensen, because if there is a possibility that they are alive, I will have to be even more careful about everything. - I answer and he smiles.

- That means there may be a one percent chance, it cheers me up a lot. - says amused. - It was nice talking to you, but now I'll do some extra work for you. - He says and I shake my head already knowing what it is about. - Give Sasha a ride for me. - He asks and I nod watching him walk away.

I see him approach Sasha and say something to her that just nods and kisses him, I see Sarah and Nick still laughing together and I end up smiling thinking about how I wish I was like this with Isabelle, talking and smiling like we did until a week ago. I take a deep breath and decide to stop whining and go after the girl who's driving me crazy.

- Valentina, that's enough for today, right? - Jensen asks laughing and I nod.

- Enough, I have something to do and you must have too, so let's go. - I answer and he jumps excited making me laugh.

Sasha approaches me and I imagine Henry must have already told her about the ride, so I just walk along with everyone else following behind. As soon as we are out of the forest the fake Isabelle says she has something to do in the center and Sarah looks at her with an interesting expression, apparently she must know something, but she doesn't say anything, so we continue going to the Lavely house.

- I'm going to take a shower, you already know that the bathroom in the hallway and Izzy's are at your disposal. - tells Sarah and Sasha to nod.

- Use Izzy's, because the one in the hallway is mine. - says Jensen entering along with Nick.

- I have something to do, I'll meet you soon. - says Henry and then says goodbye to Sasha.

- Got something to say Sarah? I ask and she rolls her eyes.

- You already know. - he replied making me laugh. - You've noticed since when she arrived and Sasha and I noticed because we know where the real Izzy is, so let's go there now. - he says and I nod.

- Don't go there now, leave it to go get her at night. - Sasha says and I get confused.

- Why ? - I ask and she laughs.

- Stop being curious, go at the agreed time and you'll find out. - he answers and I roll my eyes nodding. - You don't have to give us a ride. - he says and I shrug.

The two enter the house to get their things and I went to mine, today I will have to make a video call with my mothers, because Genevieve said she was worried about the lack of accurate information on my part. After all, my mission is to find out if Isabelle's parents are really dead and if they lived like humans as reported to the council. So as soon as I enter the house I take a shower and get dressed, then turn on the laptop and wait for them to call, it doesn't take half an hour before I see Emma's name on the screen requesting a video call.

* On call

I see Emma focused on the screen and when my image appears on the other side she smiles, the same welcoming smile as always.

- My destroying princess. She says and I smile.

- Hi Mom. - I say and she wipes a tear making me shake my head.

- You look more beautiful since the last time I saw you, I think my baby has grown. - he says making me roll my eyes.

- I've only been here for a month and we've already spent more time away. - I say and she seems to be affected by what I say.

- I know, but you know the reason for my absence. - he says and I nod.

- Don't worry, he needed you more. I say and she lowers her head.

I see the door behind her open and Genevieve walk in with her usual superior air.

- Valentina. - says my name and I notice the irritation. - What do you think you're doing in ? - she asks and I sigh tiredly even before she finishes with her show.

- Genevieve, you promised. - Emma says trying to intervene in the sermon she intends to give me.

- Shut up Emma, ​​this is between me and Valentina. - he says rude and it irritates me.

- Don't talk to her like that. - I say and Genevieve stares at me in disbelief. - Mom, it's ok, I'm used to forget? I ask and she lowers her head.

- Are you really talking to me like that? - Genevieve asks. - You've never done this before, what kind of people are you mixing with, Valentina? - He asks annoyed.

- With people Mom, your plan to make me someone arrogant who despises the world didn't work. Moving away from socializing with other people different from you, with ideas different from yours was not enough. - I answer and see Emma smile in the corner.

- Are you challenging me ? He asks and I roll my eyes. - Your mission was just to tell us if the Lavely are really dead, you already did, now it's time to go home and relearn how to be someone worthy of carrying the title of queen of this clan. - he says and I deny it.

- I won't go back until I want to go back. - I say and she hits the table annoyed.

- Don't provoke me, if you don't come back, I'll go there and bring you back by force. - he says and I get angry.

- I want to see you try. - I say gritted my teeth to control the anger and then take a deep breath. - I'm no longer that girl you locked in the dungeon and punished whenever you failed a mission, I've grown up and I'm learning to walk with my own legs and have my own wills, nothing I do will change that. - complete and she laughs.

- You know what happens to those who disobey me. - says menacingly.

- I know, you exile him from the clan as if he were nothing, for you it doesn't matter if you're just a child, what matters is being submissive to the almighty Genevieve. - I say staring at her who was staring back at me. - I think I should warn you that I'm the heiress, you don't rule me and you can't even exile me like you did with other people. I am the future of this clan, not you. So having a good time Mom is even more Emma. - I say and Emma nods smiling.

Call Off *

It was just what was needed.

Did Anaya mean that when she said those things to me after I came back poisoned from my trip to New Orleans?

Because I think I'm starting to understand.

I didn't want to have to be like that with my mother, but she left me no choice, I never questioned her before on anything, I always did everything she wanted, I was always obedient, I trained day and night from the age of five to a month ago, I never had contact with people other than the castle's residents and their arrogant visitors. So because she wants to take me away from the only moment I'm having away from the life I had, where I'm learning what I never had the opportunity before, she deprived me of these things that I'm having the opportunity now claiming were a waste of time, but now that I'm knowing this new world, I can only think that she was wrong.

It's not a waste of time.

It's so worth it.

__________________ To be continued ________________