My Alphas' Dark Desires

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~Valerie's POV~

Kai's jaw clenched, his eyes flickering briefly toward Xade, then to Dristan and Axel. None of them spoke.

But the storm in the ballroom had officially begun.

"She's going to be betrothed to Kai." Kai replayed his father's words over and over in his head.

Kai's entire body stiffened, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Betrothed?" he echoed, finally coming out of his despair and staring at his father like he'd grown a second head. "You arranged a marriage without even telling me?"

Alpha Draven didn't blink. "It is tradition."

"Tradition?" Kai snapped. "What about Valerie…"

"Valerie is not the daughter of an Alpha," Alpha Draven cut in smoothly, glancing at the others. "And this is for the good of the packs."

Serena only smiled at him, brushing her sleek strawberry-blonde hair back as though this moment had been rehearsed a thousand times in front of her mirror.

"It's an honour, really. You're even more handsome up close."

Xade looked between the two of them, his mouth twitching. "This can't be real."

Just then, heavy footsteps approached. All heads turned to see four Alphas walking toward them — Alpha Zeno of the Western region, Alpha Xavier of the Middle belt region, Alpha Alexander of the Eastern Region, and finally Alpha Dominic, Serena's father.

"Gentlemen," Alpha Alexander's voice boomed, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Alpha," they all chorused.

"It's time," Alpha Alexander announced.

"Time for what exactly?" Axel muttered under his breath, already sensing doom.

Alpha Alexander gestured toward a small, elevated platform to the right.

The gathering of Alphas and dignitaries turned, watching as the Alpha Kings strode toward it with regal purpose. Kai and the others reluctantly followed the movement with their eyes.

"Esteemed guests," Alpha Alexander began, raising his glass in welcome. "We are honoured to welcome you all to this year's Alpha Summit — a gathering of strength, unity, and strategy."

Polite applause filled the air and the chandeliers above sparkled like stars, further brightening the atmosphere.

"Our agenda tonight," Alpha Alexander continued, "is not just to mingle and celebrate but to solidify the bonds between our packs, foster unity, share intelligence on the rising rogue threat—" he paused, glancing meaningfully at the heirs "—and to deliver a special announcement."

Alpha Xavier stepped forward next, his deep voice slicing through the murmurs.

"As the Alpha Kings, we have watched our sons grow into strong young leaders. And as tradition dictates… Now that they have come of age, it is time to find them suitable Lunas. Brides of noble blood. Tonight, we announce their betrothals."

The room went silent for half a second.

"What?" Axel blurted, his voice cracking.

"The fuck—" Xade swore under his breath.

"This is a nightmare," Kai muttered, nearly choking on his champagne.

"And just when we finally had our mate accept us," Dristan growled, fists clenched. "Fucking damn it."

The air between them pulsed with tension but only Serena still smiled.

Xade's glass shattered in his hand.

"Let's go," he muttered tightly, wiping the blood away as though it were nothing. His voice held no room for protest.

Without a word, the Alpha heirs turned their backs on the podium and began striding out of the ballroom.

Heads turned. Whispers swelled. The tension they left in their wake was suffocating.

"Where are they going?" someone whispered.

"Was that… rebellion?"

Kai didn't look back. Neither did Dristan, Axel, or Xade. Every step they took away from the crowd was firm, and brimming with fury.

Serena looked pissed but she masked it all with a bitter sweet smile.

When they finally entered the hallway, away from the ballroom, Kai growled, turning to face the others. "Study. Now."

Quickly, they located the private study room that had been booked and reserved by the Alpha Kings.

They slipped inside the private study, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Valerie's not just some girl," Dristan said first, pacing. "She's our mate."

"And she finally chose us," Axel added. "Finally."

Xade leaned against the fireplace, his jaw clenched. "We tell them. All of them. Tonight."

Kai nodded, keeping his voice low. "We're not letting Valerie be cast aside like some unworthy omega. Not again."

A few beats passed. Then a knock on the door.

The heirs froze.

The door creaked open and the four Alpha Kings stepped inside, one after the other. Their presence filled the room like thunderclouds.

"Running off during a royal announcement?" Alpha Alexander's tone was deceptively calm. "That's not how heirs behave."

"We needed air," Kai muttered, standing straighter. "Or would you rather we started a public argument in front of the entire supernatural summit?"

Alpha Dominic raised a brow. "You mean the summit meant to strengthen alliances? The one you nearly embarrassed us in?"

"We didn't embarrass anyone," Dristan snapped. "You did."

A long silence followed.

Alpha Xavier folded his arms. "You want to speak your mind? Fine. Speak."

The heirs exchanged a look — silent, unified. Then Xade stepped forward.

"We already have someone," he said flatly.

"Our mate," Kai added.

Alpha Zeno's gaze darkened. "And who is this mystery mate we've never heard of?"

"Valerie," Axel said clearly. "Our true mate. The girl you've ignored. Disrespected. She's more worthy than anyone in that ballroom."

There was a visible ripple of reaction across the Alpha Kings.

"Valerie?" Alpha Dominic's brow creased.

Kai took a deep breath. "You can make whatever announcements you want. But I won't marry anyone else. None of us will."

Alpha Alexander exhaled slowly, then looked each heirs in the eye.

"You still need to know who you were betrothed to… before you stormed out like children."

All four heirs tensed again.

Alpha Xavier stepped forward first. "Xade… you were promised to Lady Isolde of the Sapphire Coast."

Xade flinched.

Alpha Alexander continued. "Dristan, yours is Lady Aqua of the Golden Claw Pack."

Dristan cursed under his breath.

Alpha Dominic turned to Kai. "You are to wed Serena, my daughter."

Kai's fists clenched.

Alpha Zeno looked at Axel last. "And you, son, were betrothed to Freya Vale, heir to the Eastern Fae Court."

The air turned heavy.

But none of the heirs said a word this time as they glared daggers at their fathers.

"No," Dristan blurted out.

"We won't," Kai voiced.

"We reject," Zade enunciated.

"Right here, right now," Axel finished.