My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 50: The Battle

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Chapter 50

~Valerie’s POV~

When the whistle blew again, Ace didn’t talk; he just attacked. He was faster than Ash, and his attacks were more precise, cleaner and sharper than his brother’s.

Of course, less showy as well and more strategic.

Although he looked like the playful king and less serious, I could feel it in every strike he took towards me.

He meant business, and his killing intent was top-notch.

I barely blocked the first three hits before he pivoted behind me, grabbed my waist, and tried to pin me to the floor.

Tried.

I dropped low and used my heel to sweep his foot out. He stumbled, but recovered fast, locking an arm around my neck.

I twisted inside the grip, jabbed my elbow into his ribs, then headbutted him backward.

"Seriously?" he groaned, staggering.

"I warned you."

He lunged again, this time wrapping both arms around me. But I dropped once more, used my weight and momentum to throw him over my shoulder mid-spin and the crowd gasped again.

He hit the ground with a loud grunt. Quickly, I climbed onto his chest and hovered one knee just above his throat. "Tap."

Ace looked up, panting... and smirking. "I see why she’s everyone’s mate," he muttered just low enough for me to hear.

I shoved his chest again. "Tap."

He tapped the floor with a groan. "Fine. You win."

Ms. Laria’s voice boomed. "Match over. Nightshade—double victory."

Cheers erupted. Isla screamed my name like we were at a concert. But I didn’t celebrate. I just stood, brushed my hands together, and walked off to stand beside her.

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~Dristan’s POV~

I watched the entire match from the topmost ledge of the training building.

Every fucking second of it. Valerie flipped over Ash and slammed Ace into the dirt. Dominating both of them without even drawing breath.

My fists clenched by my sides, the ring of leather creaking under the tension. Lightning hummed faintly beneath my skin — a low vibration that threatened to crack if I let my control slip even an inch.

Xade stood beside me, arms crossed, expression unreadable. "She handled them."

"I saw."

"They didn’t hold back," he added.

"I know."

"And she still—"

"I know." My voice came out sharper than I intended, prompting Xade to raise an eyebrow but didn’t comment further.

Below us, Valerie walked off the ring, her body glowing under the sun, muscles tight, hair swinging like fire behind her.

A few students called her name. Even the Dragon Prince gave a slow clap before turning away.

But what hit harder than any of that? She didn’t look at me, not even once. Not when she walked in. Not when she fought. Not when she left.

She didn’t acknowledge my presence. Although I should have expected just that, especially with the way I behaved yesterday, I didn’t think she’d actually push through with it.

And I hated it because it meant she wasn’t avoiding me out of fear. She was ignoring me by choice.

"Did I really lose her?"

"Dollophead, you’re really asking me that? I’m not even in human form and I believe I’d do way better with our mate than you could ever do. You might as well have just handed her over to the Lycans on a platter of gold."

"I..." I started, wanting to correct Soren when Xade finally spoke again.

"You think this’ll push her away for good?"

I didn’t answer. I just stared down at her—the only thing in my life I couldn’t control.

Not with power, command nor with my presence. I’d messed up a bit but I wasn’t letting her go npot to the Lycans, Dragons or fate. And I believe if I played my cards right, she’d be just in my corner as a useful asset.

"I don’t care."

Xade seemed shocked, and then he shook his head. "You’re bluff..."

He did not get to finish his sentence when I shot him a cold glare as I stood up. "Why should I? When she breeds nothing but trouble? Besides, my amusement is over."

I tucked my hands in my pocket and walked off.

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~Xander’s POV~

From where I sat, I watched Valerie move like fire.

Controlled, precise, and devastating. I’d seen seasoned warriors in the Royal Arena fumble under pressure, but not her.

Valerie Nightshade had bested two Lycan princes—twins—without breaking much sweat. And she walked off that ring like she hadn’t just shaken the entire food chain.

A slow smile curled on my lips as I leaned back in my seat on the viewing deck, arms crossed behind my head.

She was special.

But not in the way everyone thought.

"She’s... different," I murmured under my breath.

"She’s fierce," Zila agreed in my mind. His tone had a hint of a half growl and a half grin. "Are you finally admitting she might be your mate?" he teased.

"No," I said quickly. Too quickly. "That’s not what this is."

"Mmm. You mean to tell me that watching her throw Lycan royalty around like rag dolls didn’t stir something in you?"

I didn’t answer. Because it did but not desire. Instinct.

Something deeply rooted in blood and memory.

"I don’t want her," I said aloud this time, fingers tapping the armrest. "I want to know her."

"Romantic."

"Shut up."

I stood slowly, eyes still fixed on the training field below as she joined her friends. Astraea. Emerald. Isla. But I wasn’t watching her for the accolades.

I was watching the way she moved, the way her hands curled when she was restless, the way her eyes flicked over her surroundings with subconscious precision.

I saw that before the day I saved her from the laser beam and even before that. I’d been watching her since my first arrival at school last week.

She wasn’t trained by PSA instructors alone, or just pack warriors. That much I knew. No... Valerie fought like someone who’d been raised in the shadows.

And something about the way she flipped over Ash during that first clash—I’d seen it before.

But not in werewolves, in my king—dragons.

"Time to dig deeper," I muttered as I left.

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~Valerie’s POV~

By the end of combat class, I wasn’t even surprised the Alpha Kings’ heirs didn’t show up to the last lecture. Not one. And honestly? I was grateful for the peace.

Or at least I thought I was.

I had a free period, so instead of heading back to the dorms like Isla and Emerald suggested, I took a turn toward the open club recruitment stands.

PSA had a bunch of them—ranging from sports to arts to debate, even a magic tech society. But I wasn’t looking to polish my resume.

I needed access. Information.

I haven’t done much in terms of the actual reason I am here and right now, that was pretty bad.

I needed something—anything—that could lead me to more answers about the Nightshade emblem.

If I couldn’t get it online, maybe the underground routes filtered through the right club. Legacy guilds and noble families sponsored some of these student clubs. And where old families walked, secrets followed.

My eyes caught the volleyball club table up ahead. It was quiet, only one member lounging against the net stand with a sign-up sheet.

I approached casually, pulling my hoodie sleeves over my hands. If I joined the club, maybe I could blend in easier for evening practice hours and slip out again, off radar.

That was one part of the plan. I signed up and left there. I needed to get my bag and a few books for an assignment.

I walked, taking the east wing, hoping to avoid any student whatsoever until I heard his voice. "Don’t care."

My brows creased, wondering what was happening. I moved closer, wanting to see for myself.

"What’s the matter, Dristan? Looking gloomy because she isn’t paying you any attention?"

My entire body froze.

I slowly stepped behind the wall close to where they were and peeked.

There he was.

Dristan Alexander.

His back was to me, hands shoved into the pockets of his black uniform slacks. Hair was messy. Posture tense and aura... simmering.

Ace and Ash stood across from him, relaxed like they didn’t just stir the deadliest storm on campus a day ago.

Dristan’s reply was sharp and cold.

"Like I said, I don’t care what you do with her. She’s not my problem. So buzz off."

Not his problem?

My heart kicked once—hard.

Astra whimpered in my mind. She was hurt by her mate’s words but for me, gave me more reason to ignore him.

And I was tempted to do so until Ash did something that caught my eye.

Ash gave a wolfish smile. "So you wouldn’t mind if she picks either of us? Maybe even let’s one of us consummate the bond?" he asked casually, though his tone dripped with poison.

Dristan’s sigh was audible, and he turned to walk past them. "Idiots never learn."

But just as he passed, Ash’s words stabbed the air again. "Are you sure you’re just trying to play hard to get to gain her attention, or is this you finally realizing that you are not worthy of her? Or maybe... maybe you’re just afraid. Afraid you’ll end up killing her too—just like you did your—"

The rest didn’t come out.

Because Dristan spun with lightning speed, his fist snapping through the air and colliding with Ash’s face in a brutal crunch.