My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 48: Faes

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Chapter 48

~Valerie’s POV~

The dorm living room was unusually calm for once. Soft golden evening light filtered through the large windows, giving the space a warm, hazy glow as everyone sat there, busy with one thing or another.

A cup of tea sat forgotten beside me, cooling. The occasional tapping of laptop keyboards was the only sound between us.

Astraea was curled up on the floor, laptop balanced on her crossed legs, eyes locked on her screen as she typed out something that looked far too boring to be casual browsing.

Homework. Must be nice.

Meanwhile, mine was far from school-related.

I propped my laptop on my thighs, screen dimmed low, scrolling discreetly through forums and maps—tracking routes, disguises, and, most importantly, underground clubs—those hidden, quiet, and safe ones, the kind that dealt in secrets, not drinks.

I was halfway through planning how not to get caught again when Emerald’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Astraea?"

Astraea hummed absently, still typing.

Emerald leaned forward on the couch, head tilted. "Where were you after the race? You kinda disappeared. Were you happy to see our princess again?"

That made me freeze.

My fingers hovered over the trackpad mid-scroll. Wait. Princess?

I blinked and whipped my head toward Astraea. "What?"

Astraea paused her typing and looked up, caught off guard. "Huh?"

"You’re a fae?" I asked slowly, like I needed the words to make sense in my own ears first.

Astraea flashed her signature grin. "As fae-ish as I’ve ever been since birth."

I gawked. "You didn’t think to mention this earlier?"

Isla raised a brow and added casually, "You didn’t know she’s fae?"

I shook my head, honestly baffled. "Not a clue."

Astraea laughed and shut her laptop. "Well, it’s not something we wear on our sleeves. Unless we want to. Besides, it is understandable, you are new here."

And then she proved her point.

She closed her eyes—and instantly, her body shimmered, soft orange light dancing along her skin.

Her hair shifted slightly, catching the light until a bold orange streak appeared. Her ears elongated subtly, poking out through her hair as she tucked it behind one ear.

I blinked again, this time slower.

She wasn’t just fae. She was Fae.

My eyes roamed the glowing rune-like patterns now etched faintly on her arms, thigh, leg, and neck, like sunlight had inked her skin.

"Beautiful," I said softly, meaning it.

Emerald chuckled from across the room. "You’ve never seen a fae in their true form, have you?"

I shook my head, still processing it all. I had been shielded and hidden from the world, so it was normal.

"Understandable," she nodded. "Which is also why you don’t know I’m part fae?"

I blinked again, turning to Emerald now. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Mom’s a fae. Dad’s a werewolf. I got lucky with both powers." She leaned back casually. "My magic isn’t as intense as Astraea’s, but I’ve got illusion manipulation and a gift with animals. I can speak to them. Control them."

"Okay... that’s kinda awesome."

Emerald grinned. "Kinda?"

I lifted my hands in surrender. "Okay, very awesome."

Then I turned back to Astraea. "So what about you?"

She leaned forward dramatically. "Fae princess—Titania Estrella Sage—is my cousin."

There it was again. That name. Titania. The girl who radiated moonlight and challenge all in one breath but was also way into her head to think she had me cornered and would make me cower with a little threat.

Although I did not know why Astraea mentioned it rather than answering, I felt she might have been giddy about announcing her link to royalty.

I smiled softly, loving how childlike some of her actions were.

"I have control over plant life, shapeshifting, and glamour magic," Astraea continued, counting them off on her fingers. "Which is how I usually hide my fae features. Keeps things... simple."

I nodded slowly, still letting it all click into place. "Wow."

"Hehhe. Also, I know a bit of healing magic, but my healing magic ain’t as strong as an actual healer."

"Yup, impressive," Isla chimed in, clasping her hands together. "So, where were you after the race? You just vanished."

Astraea grinned again. "Still on that?" She beamed like someone daydreaming about their crush. "I was with my cousin, Titania. We were catching up. She just arrived, and I had to give her the lowdown. You know—school layout, dorm rules, curfew times... the works."

I eyed her. "You’re awfully excited about spending time with her."

"She’s family," Astraea replied breezily, but there was something a little too bright in her tone. "Besides, she might be Fae Royalty, but she’s a good person."

I gave a noncommittal shrug. I wasn’t sure what I believed yet.

The Titania I met today had shimmered with charm, but something underneath her smiles felt... sharp. She was the kind of girl who could hand you a rose and let the thorns do the bleeding.

Still. I didn’t press it.

I yawned, drawing more attention to myself. "Go to bed already," Emerald said with a laugh.

I nodded and closed my laptop, locking away the underground club search and shoving it into the recesses of my thoughts. That mission would have to wait.

Because tonight? Tonight, I needed sleep. I needed to get my head straight.

I wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring with the Lycans. The twins could play their next move, and I had a feeling it would involve me directly.

Just as I was standing up, my phone lit up with a new message. I glanced at it and saw the sender.

"My cousin? Wow. It’s been ages!" I screamed internally. She had been silent since my departure, and I wondered why.

Her message was brief. "Chat you up tomorrow. But gotta go now. The mission was a success, and Dad is still angry. I need to work my charms on mum and lift my grounding ban. Love you. Keep all the chit and chats for later. Love."

I smiled sheepishly. I wanted nothing more than to see her and tell her about all the crazy things happening, but when her words rang in my head, I paused.

"Shit, she was grounded. Hopefully not because of me."