My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 39: Another Mate

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Chapter 39

~Valerie’s POV~

The morning sun slipped lazily through the blinds, casting thin lines of gold across the dorm floor.

I stretched with a yawn, grabbed my coffee cup from the kitchen counter, and took one last sip before placing it in the dishwasher. The caffeine had barely kicked in, but I was already on edge.

Just as I turned on the tap to rinse it, I heard the creak of the room doors and footsteps.

"Val!" Isla’s voice floated in.

Emerald followed close behind, calling out, "Astraea, you ready?" She knocked once on Astraea’s door, but silence answered.

"Huh. Maybe she left early," Emerald said with a shrug.

Isla smiled my way. "Hope you enjoyed your jog?"

I gave a lazy nod, trying not to look suspicious and knowing yesterday was not about any jog. "Yeah."

"I was surprised you came back a bit early," Isla added.

"Yeah, felt a bit lightheaded, so I decided to call it a night," I lied.

"Oh, I’m sorry. You have to be careful next time."

I nodded but then I shoved my hand into the pocket of my uniform and froze. My fingers brushed against paper. Crisp. Folded. My stomach dropped.

The letter.

I had completely forgotten about what my cousin did yesterday—the anonymous note with my full name that I didn’t ask for.

"Val?" Isla’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

"Uh... I forgot something," I said quickly. "In my room. You girls can go. I’ll catch up with you."

Emerald and Isla exchanged confused glances. I could tell they were curious but didn’t push it.

"You better hurry," Emerald chimed in. "There was a notice on the group chat. Principal wants to address us before the first training begins with our Guild Leaders."

"Aye, remind me about that," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Dristan again.

"Come on, we know Dristan isn’t that bad," Isla teased. "My cousin is just fun with extra snark."

"Yeah, yeah. Sadly for him, I refuse to avail myself for his entertainment anymore," I said, waving them off as they headed out.

"Good call." Once the door clicked shut behind them, I pulled the paper from my pocket and unfolded it.

My name stared back at me.

Same sleek handwriting. Same eerie calm in the way it was phrased.

I didn’t read it again. I sure as hell didn’t need to. The moment I saw my name—Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow—I remembered every word. Every warning. Every gut-punch of uncertainty.

I crumpled the paper in my palm and walked straight to the kitchen.

Quickly, I flicked on the gas burner and lit a small flame. There was no hesitation in my handling. If anyone had seen me, it’ll be like I had done this quite a lot in the past. No hesitation.

I held the paper over it, watching the edges curl, blacken, and turn to ash. Just before it reached my fingers, I blew it out, letting the last corner smolder.

With a flick of my foot, I opened the dustbin and dumped the charred remains inside. I dusted my hands together, like brushing away a memory I refused to carry.

"That’s done. For now"

I left the dorm in a rush, zipping up my hoodie, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

When I reached the main school building, I spotted Isla and Emerald just entering through the tall front doors.

"Shit," I muttered and broke into a jog. "Gotta catch up."

I didn’t want to be late—especially not today. Whatever announcement the Principal had cooked up probably mattered. And if training with Dristan was next, I needed my head clear.

I cut through the east wing—a shortcut I rarely took. But I needed to catch up with the girls. Drop my back and prepare. I wouldn’t let Dristan make an example of me.

My number one strategy was to try and keep quiet and let my actions lead if it came down to anything.

Other than that, I was focused on the task at hand.

Trainings were ridiculously dangerous, and passing PSA was a must, meaning that this was a done deal.

That’s when I heard their voices. Four familiar voices that seemed to make my wolf go crazy.

I stopped cold in my tracks.

My eyes darted in search of my next escape. "No," I whispered. "Not now."

Astra stirred inside me, like she’d heard it too. Her pulse laced with mine, quickly.

The Alpha Kings. All of them were heading in my direction.

"Fuck!"

I pivoted instantly, walking the other direction fast.

Don’t look back. Just go.

"Hey... is that not Valerie Nightshade?" Kai’s voice carried, casual but way too loud for my liking. There was no way they wouldn’t spot me. My scent was attractive to them—my mates.

Shit. Walk faster.

"Valerie!" Axel’s voice hit next, sharper.

I turned a corner sharply to lose them, only for me to crash straight into something hard and or someone.

I fell backwards and almost hit the floor as a surprised gasp slipped from my lips, but strong arms caught me just in time, one arm securing my back and the other steadying my waist.

"Ouch!" freeweɓnovel.cøm

My breath caught, and everything stopped.

A strange sweet scent assailed my nostrils, making my head spin. Clean rain, pine, and something ancient—like fire in winter. I blinked up, eyes meeting his.

Piercing, hazel-green, curiously calm eyes stared into my eyes with so much intrigue and uniqueness. A handsome, dark-brown-haired guy looked down at me with a stunned expression.

Before I could even think, Astra’s voice exploded in my mind.

"Mate."

I flinched.

No. Not now. Not another one.

I didn’t say it aloud, but he did. The guy stared straight at me and muttered the same word.

"Mate."

But this time, it wasn’t just him. It wasn’t just one voice I heard and that terrified me straight in my bones.

Two voices echoed the word at the same time—his and another.

My body stiffened.

I blinked again, my lips slightly parted. He was still holding me, like he was just as stunned. And deep inside me, Astra accepted it.

Which meant this wasn’t a mistake. This was real.

"Oh God."