My Alphas' Dark Desires

****************

~Valerie's POV~

I knew what I heard that night after I left Kai's room, but I had been too ashamed of myself even to bother opening the door.

I had tried, fought every weak thought, and given in to him; still, I got rejected.

And against Astra's advice to give it to someone else, I only felt stupid, like a prostitute.

Instead, that morning, I woke up on time, used their gym, then went to shower and get dressed for school.

I did not bother with breakfast. I could get something from the cafeteria before break.

Since we have equipped kitchens in our dorms, breakfasts and dinners were left to our discretion.

And we were cut slack when it came to occasionally getting breakfast at a small window before the major lunch break.

Of course, we were timed. There was breakfast before classes began for those who didn't cook or know how to.

And I, right now, fell into that category this morning.

Don't get me wrong, I knew how to cook. But cooking in the Heirs' house screamed trouble, silently screaming notice me, which clearly, I did not.

However, stepping into the kitchen to grab a can of yoghurt, I did not expect to crash into the last person I hoped to see.

Kai.

I shut my eyes and tried not to think about anything but seeing his perfect face made that pretty hard to do.

I cleared my throat, trying not to think about him and headed straight for the fridge in hope of getting there unnoticed.

As soon as I opned the fridge however, I felt a presence hovering behind me.

I swallowed, picked up the yoghurt, sighed and turned.

Kai was practically breathing on me.

"Valerie, morning."

"Morning," I said simply and attempted to walk away but he did not budge. "Kai, you're in the way."

"I know."

"And I need to go."

"I know."

My brows arched as I lifted my gaze to his. "Do you?"

"Look, Valerie, I…"

"Any problem?"

We both froze when we heard Dristan's voice. I swallowed but Kai muttered something to himself before turning to look at Dristan.

I took hold of this opportunity to walk past Kai with my yoghut. "No trouble," was my reply as I stepped past Driostan and headed staright for the door.

"Just great," I heard Kai grunt.

"What happened? Where's Valerie goi…"

"To school. I was trying to make a conversation before you butted in." From where I was close to the door, I could hear them all loud and clear.

My senses had improved better with the heat issue.

"It didn't look like that to me. You look like you were trying to harass her or something."

I did not wait to think or imagine the look on Kai's face or in his eyes. I opened the door and stepped out, wishing for normalcy.

By the time I arrived at school, everwhere was still quiet. I headed for the cafeteria to get something light to eat.

I was just stuffing my mouth with my sandwich and scrambled eggs when I felt heated gaze near me.

By the time I looked up, I could not see anyone staring at me. I was sure of the heated glare I felt on me.

Maybe it was just paranoia whispering in the back of my head, but there was no way Kai or Dristan would follow me here.

This was my corner of the campus—quiet, tucked away in the far end of the cafeteria, where the sunlight filtered weakly through the high glass panes on days when I was alone.

I was halfway through my sandwich when a shadow fell across my table, cutting the light.

The change in air pressure, the faint perfume that was too sweet to be pleasant, and that low, smug tone… I knew exactly who it was before I even looked up.

Astraea.

"Hmm," she drawled, tilting her head like she was examining something beneath her shoe. "How do you feel now that you've gone to live with the heirs? Important? Or more of a whore?"

Her voice dripped venom, thick enough to poison the air between us.

I didn't bother looking at her. I just took another bite of my sandwich, focusing on the crunch of lettuce, the dull scrape of bread against my teeth.

She scoffed, folding her arms, nails tapping against her sleeves like impatient claws.

"Do you know how infuriating it is? Watching you just waltz into the school, acting all high and mighty, and still having the heirs chasing after you? I've been trying for years to get their attention. Years. I even befriended Isla for it."

I finished the sandwich without a word, took my time twisting open my yogurt drink. The strawberry scent rose between us. I took a sip, savoring it just to irritate her.

"You may be able to deceive the others," she said, leaning in slightly, her voice sharpening, "and even hide your identity, but not me. I know you for who you are. I saw you that night."

The last sentence hung in the air like smoke.

Before I could respond, another voice cut in. "Still on with this, I see."

I turned to see Isla standing behind me, her glare locked on Astraea like a blade pressed to a throat.

"And look at you and your fake friendship now," Isla said, stepping forward. "Who lost?"

Astraea's eyes narrowed. "And who called you into this?"

"I don't need an invitation to trash talk trash," Isla shot back. "Especially when the garbage is reeking near my friend."

"Watch it, Isla. I'm practically royalty."

"And so am I," Isla challenged without missing a beat.

Astraea's lip curled. "So you're just Valerie's guard dog?"

"It's called friendship. Something you never understood." Isla's tone softened just enough to turn mocking. "But, that aside, I was wondering when you'd actually return Valerie's stolen necklace."

My stomach jolted. Stolen necklace? I'd been certain Titania was the main suspect.

"What?" Isla continued, not giving me a second to ask. "Thought we wouldn't figure it out? I'm pretty sure either you or your cousin cloaked it with a spell. Doesn't matter. When the maker of that necklace sends for it, you won't be able to hide it."

I forced my expression into something neutral, locking my eyes on Astraea instead of showing the confusion burning in my chest.

The maker.

Did Isla know anything or she was calling a bluff to draw on Astraea's reaction?

I couodn't say which it was yet.

Astraea was a good bluffer. Too good. She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Desperate guess. Who's desperate now?"

I stood, brushing crumbs from my skirt, feeling my pulse steady as my resolve sharpened. I glanced at Isla and gave her the faintest smile before leaning toward Astraea.

"Tell Titania and her goons I'm coming for my necklace," I ordered in a low menacing voice.

Then I let my lips curl into a cold smile that made her blink, just once. "And as for your traitorous soul…"

I tilted my head, letting the words slip like frost.

"Your days in PSA are numbered."

I straightened, turned, and walked away with Isla. My heart was still pounding, but I didn't let it show. Behind us, I could feel Astraea's stare like a hook in my back.

Then just when I was sure we were out of hearing range, I asked. "What do you mean by the necklace's maker?"

Isla shrugged. "Judging by how it blocked your scent and heat, I am guessing it was made by a witch. And a witch can summon her creation if she mixed her essence into the creation."

"Okay?"

"Meaning, my words would make them act and make mistakes. If that should happen, you can easily watch their movements."

"Thank you."

"Yeah. Also, I'll be on the look out for that girl who I saw staring maliciously at you back after training."

"Thanks. By the way, where's Emerald?"

"She came with me but got side tracked when she saw Rain."

We laughed it off and continued heading to class.

"So, how is it with the heirs? The other day you ran away and…"

I shut my eyes, my brain still trying to figure out how Xade visited my bed everynght and ate me out, yet there was no proof.

Was I beginning to mix or merge my reality with my dreams?

"You still haven't been able to get Xade out of your head, I see," Isla guessed and I looked down, unable to lie to her.

"I don't know how to."

"Easy, be with another of your mate. You wanted to get to know them, right?" I gave a nod. "How's that coming along?"

"A disaster."

"How so?"

"K…" I paused, contemplating whethe ror not to tell he rbut knowing Isla, just mentioning one word was enough to draw out her investigative mindset. "Kai and I made out."

"And…?"

"It was good. But when he came back and we were to continue, he seemed cold, distant and…"

"That's her."

I froze, unable to finish my sentence. "That's who?"

I looked at Isla buts he was looking elsewhere with her hand pointed at someone.

"The girl I told you was spying or checking on you with malicious intent. That's she at your 4'o clock."

Immediately, I followed her line of sight, my eyes finally locking on the girl as she turned fully, giving me a clear view.

At first, she did not look familiar. But when I recalled what Isla said, I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.

That was when it became clear. Her face flashed before my mind in darkness.

"She's…"