My Alphas' Dark Desires

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~Solstice's POV~

I heard her voice before I even caught her scent, that soft, familiar tone threading through the air like a song I'd missed for far too long.

My wolf, Equinox, leapt for joy inside me, her excitement surging so strongly I almost laughed out loud. She was restless, eager, jealous even.

And she had every right to be.

But right now, I wasn't bothered. When she finally met Valerie, she'd understand why she had lived rent-free in my mind since the day I got her.

Something shifted in my chest the moment I knew they were at the door—a tightening, a pull I couldn't name. I tossed the feeling aside, holding my breath as I braced for their reaction.

I'd imagined over twenty possible scenarios, but when the door creaked open, nothing prepared me for the way Valerie's eyes lit up and softened at the same time.

I didn't even notice the tear slip down her cheek until she repeated my name.

"Solstice."

This time, I moved and so did she.

We collided in the middle, arms wrapping around each other in a hug so tight it stole my breath for a moment.

The warmth of her, the way her familiar scent wrapped around me, it was like coming home after being gone too long.

We pulled back just enough to see each other's faces. Valerie's lips curved into a smile.

"Happy birthday, baby girl."

A lump rose in my throat. "I thought you forgot… and forgot me," I admitted, half teasing, half serious, and in a way that did not let the other two understand what we meant to each other.

Sisters, cousins, best friends, twin blades, twin trouble… name it. Valerie and I were one.

Valerie shook her head, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I did… but I would have remembered."

I arched a brow. "Then you've got a lot to tell me about what kept you so busy and who dared occupy your thoughts, cause I am officially jealous."

"Definitely."

Movement caught my eye, and I turned to see Isla standing off to the side, grinning like she'd been watching a secret reunion unfold.

"Hello, Silver," she greeted. "Or should we call you Solstice now, too?"

"Solstice is fine," I replied. "It's my real name, after all."

Emerald had joined her, her sharp green eyes assessing me with amusement. "So does that mean you're visiting under your real name instead of an alias?"

I tilted my head, letting a small smile form. "Well, everyone already knows the truth now, don't they? Besides…" I paused, letting the suspense hang in the air. "…says who I'm visiting?"

That made all three of them exchange puzzled looks.

Valerie's brows knit together. "What does that mean, Sol?"

Instead of answering, I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the thick cream envelope. Without a word, I placed it in her hands.

She glanced at me before sliding the letter free. As her eyes skimmed the page, her breath caught. "It means… I, Solstice Gold, am now a bona fide student of PSA."

"What?" all three girls chorused in perfect unison.

Isla and Emerald rushed forward, crowding around Valerie to peer at the letter. Sure enough, the gold-embossed crest and formal wording made it impossible to deny.

"Birthday gift from Dad," I said, trying to sound casual but unable to keep the pride from my voice.

Another tear escaped down Valerie's cheek. "How? I thought your dad was furious with you."

"He was," I admitted. "But my older brother convinced him. He saw how miserable I was after leaving school, so he reached out to Principal Whitmore himself. Convinced her. And she agreed."

"Wow," Emerald murmured absently, still staring at the letter. "Your dad must have really talked her into it."

I smirked. "So, girls… who missed me? Because I know I missed myself and you girls."

"We all did," Isla blurted, "especially Valerie."

"She went nuts on her mates for you," Emerald added with a knowing grin.

My smile widened as I turned to Valerie. "Looks like you love me way more than you let on, Vi."

The students here didn't know the truth—that Valerie and I were cousins. To them, we were just two friends who had met at school and gotten impossibly close.

"Don't push your luck," Valerie said, but there was a faint smile playing at her lips.

Isla and Emerald both giggled before pulling us into a group hug.

I could feel Valerie's shoulders shake slightly with silent laughter as we all clung to each other for a few seconds before finally pulling back.

"By the way," I asked, glancing around, "where's Astraea? I can't perceive her scent."

The shared smile between the girls dimmed. Isla exchanged a look with Emerald before speaking.

"She's trouble," Isla said flatly. "And she'll soon be leaving the room."

My brow furrowed. "Why? What happened?"

"Let's just say…" Isla began, her tone darkening, "…she's a snake and—"

"I've got the most brilliant idea!" Emerald cut in, practically bouncing where she stood. "What if Solstice becomes our new roommate instead of Astraea?"

Valerie's eyes widened. "Yes!"

"Then you can move back from the Alpha heirs' house and we'll be complete again," Emerald declared.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Valerie's leaving there now?"

"Yes," Isla confirmed, "but it's a long story."

I grinned, the excitement of being here, with them, bubbling up inside me. "Oh, you've got all night to tell me," I teased, giggling as I looped my arm through Valerie's.

This—this feeling of being surrounded by my people, my place—was better than any party or gift. This was home.

"So, since it's my birthday," I giggled at all of them, "I was thinking maybe we could do something fun? Girls' night out."

"Wait, like actually sneaking out to some bar or…?" Emerald looked sceptical, but I knew even she was dying just to let loose.

"Yes, or we throw a mini party here for us four. Except you girls all have somewhere important to be?"

"Not me," Isla immediately resigned. "And probably the same with Em, but Valerie, on the other hand, has hubbies."

Valerie rolled her eyes. "They haven't proposed yet. Besides, I need a break from male energy. It's her birthday. For her, a night away from my mates… that I'd die for."

She burst out laughing, and everyone followed.

"I love you, Val."

"Love you too, Sol."