My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 35: The Alphas’ Claims

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Chapter 35

~Valerie’s POV~

Principal Whitmore turned slightly and gestured to a shadowed corner behind her desk. The door to her private office opened, and out stepped Avery, smug and composed like she hadn’t just been summoned like a pawn.

My stomach turned. Of course. Dristan.

This was all his doing.

Whitmore leaned back, voice cool and final. "Just know this, Valerie: deceit and manipulation won’t be tolerated here. Whether you’re favoured or not, the rules apply to everyone."

I stiffened but nodded. "Yes ma’am."

"Now answer me. Did you swap with Ms. Avery?"

I gave a nod, more like admitting my final arrest. Principal Whitmore sighed. She had a slightly disappointed look in her eyes, but as soon as it came, it disappeared.

"Am I in trouble?" I was forced to ask while acting cutely.

"Not yet," she replied. "But be careful, Ms. Nightshade. A lot of eyes are on your every move now."

"I understand, ma’am."

"Good. That’s all. You two are dismissed."

I stood, thanked her stiffly, and walked out. Avery followed closely behind.

The moment we stepped out of the secretary’s office and into the hallway, the mask fell.

She smirked.

"You think I don’t know you told Dristan about the swap?" Her voice was sharp, venom dripping from each word. "You conniving bitch. Thinking that’d win you his favor? Just wait. I’ll do everything in my power to have you kicked out of Guild One."

I stopped walking and turned slowly to face her.

Astra growled wildly in my head. "Let me kill this witch right now. Claiming my mate in front of me?"

"Shh. Calm down, Astra," I murmured internally, smoothing my expression as I faced Avery.

I tilted my head with a smile. "Well, well. Looks like the kitten has sharpened her claws."

She glared at me, but I didn’t flinch.

"Don’t worry," I said sweetly. "I’m actually looking forward to it. You can have Dristan."

Astra grumbled inwardly. "You cannot give this with a free rein on our mate."

"Astra chill."

I inhaled, happy she wasn’t grunting again. I let my focus remain on Avery. "But let me give you a piece of advice..."

I stepped forward, voice dropping low.

"Should any harm befall me," I chuckled, a cold, maniacal sound escaping my throat, "then you shall meet your end faster than your next breath."

Avery froze.

Good.

But she snapped out of it quickly. "I’ve got Dristan," she spat, chin lifted in defiance.

I smiled wider, the air around me dropping several degrees. My eyes darkened. My aura surged, sharp and unrelenting.

Astra didn’t miss this chance to let out my Alpha aura and intimidate Avery, who was a beta.

She didn’t see it coming when I stepped into her space, forcing her backward until her spine hit the hallway wall.

"You didn’t get the message the first time," I hissed, my voice ice-cold. "Fine. Have it your way. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Her breath caught in her throat as I leaned in, my killing intent coiling thick in the air around us.

"I’ll make it my mission," I whispered, "to turn your life—and Dristan’s—into a living hell."

I smiled manically and stepped back without another word, turned and walked away, leaving her frozen against the wall, clutching her pride like it was armor.

Let’s see how long that lasts.

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~Dristan’s POV~

The room was quiet—too quiet for this part of the building. Our personal classroom—four walls lined with books, enchanted relics, and lingering tension—never truly felt like neutral ground. Not anymore, not since Valerie.

I had just finished rechecking a spell index when the door slammed open and Kai walked in. I shut the book and focused on him as he strode in like a storm, eyes burning with fury.

"Kai," I said coolly, not bothering to stand. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He didn’t answer right away. His jaw clenched, hands balled at his sides. The silence cracked when he finally spoke. "What the hell was that, Dristan?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"If you are going to accuse me, you will have to be more specific than that, Kai."

He stepped forward, fists now pressed into the edge of my desk. "Why steal her from my guild?"

"Oh." I leaned back in my seat, crossing one leg over the other. "I did no such thing."

His voice went lower, sharper. "So you’re denying it? You had no hand in getting Valerie away from Guild Four behind my back?"

"I simply returned her to where she rightfully belonged," I said flatly while keeping my voice steady.

Kai’s palm slammed down on the desk. The crack echoed through the room. "Damn you, Dristan!"

I smirked. Predictable.

"You said you didn’t want her," he growled. "You said you were considering rejection."

"Duid I?" I asked calmly.

"Dristan," Kai gritted. "You did, and now you pull this? What’s your end game?"

I stood now, slowly. Let him see the difference between us.

I slid one hand into my trouser pocket. "Tell me something, Kai," I said with quiet amusement, "Are you going for Valerie?"

He blinked, just once. I noticed the hesitation on his face like he was considering the best answer to give me. "That’s none of your business."

I stepped around the desk toward him. "Except that it is. She is my mate."

Kai’s jaw tensed again. "And mine. She isn’t yours alone, Dristan. She belongs to all four of us." His voice shook slightly, from emotion or restraint—I couldn’t tell.

Kai continued, "Which makes me wonder... Are you taking her to your guild because she’s ours and you fear losing her? Or is it because you know she won’t choose you?"

My eyes darkened.

There it was. The real fear. The truth.

I stepped closer, until only a breath remained between us. "Then you’re delusional," I whispered, "if you think Valerie will choose you either."

The door burst open again. Out gazes remained strained on each other until Xade spoke.

"No," came Xade’s voice firmly. "She won’t choose either of you."

We both turned. Xade stood there, arms folded, his usual calm nowhere to be seen. His icy blue eyes locked onto us.

"She’ll choose me," he added, stepping fully into the room.

Right behind him, Axel entered with a scowl. "Oh for Moon’s sake," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. "Why don’t you all just shut up already? Because right now, none of us stand a damn chance with our mate."

His words settled heavy over the room like fog.

"Without our mate," Axel continued, "we all lose."

"Speak for yourself," I replied coldly, brushing past Kai to lean against the windowsill. "I have the advantage. Valerie Nightshade will be mine."

Kai’s growl was low and threatening. "We shall see about that." He shot me one final glare before storming out, shoving the door wide on his way.

Xade’s mouth twitched into a bitter smile. Axel sighed, pacing the room.

I stayed silent, watching the window, but my thoughts weren’t on the courtyard below.

They were on her far into the distance—Valerie.

She was a storm none of us were ready for. And I would be the only one left standing when the clouds cleared.

Because Dristan Alexander doesn’t lose.