My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 369 369: According to Plan

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~Kai's POV~

My mind blanked for a full second.

"Me?" I repeated, almost laughing because it sounded absurd. "You think I hurt Marianne?"

Principal Whitmore's stare didn't waver. "I said you're a suspect, Ms. Nightshade. There's a difference. And unless you can prove otherwise, you'll stay on that list."

The words sank in slowly, almost to a suffocating state. My pulse stuttered. A dull ringing filled my ears. I'd come here to help, to clear things up—to defend Dristan and Xander—and somehow, I'd become part of the mess.

Well, guess I was always part of… no at the centre of this mess.

Xade immediately stepped forward. "That's ridiculous, Principal. Valerie was with us… most of that day."

"Most," Principal Whitmore echoed, arching a brow. "Not all."

Xade swallowed. "Well…"

"Principal, Xade would not know because he was busy annoying her that period. Also, he wasn't in school until later that day. So no, Xade cannot vouch for her."

My throat went dry. Principal Whitmore's gaze was sharp, like she could read my heartbeat. I did not know how to get angrier at Dristan than this.

He wasn't helping matters either.

"However, I believe my cousin, Isla, Astraea, and Solstice can vouch for her."

I did not know what to say at this point.

One time he was siding with me, and at another, he was tossing me to the flames.

"Valerie has nothing to do with anything. If there's anything wrong, Marianne stole the necklace from her. I collected it back and returned it but that was several days back," Ash defended me.

Principal Whitmore massaged her temples.

The fact that the heirs from the Lycan and Dragon kingdoms were tangled in this mess made it all the more stressful for her.

"Valerie?"

"What?" I blurted, stunned. "I didn't even—"

Dristan cut in, chuckling. His arms were folded across his chest, but his eyes didn't quite meet mine. "You always seem to be in the midst of trouble when things blow up."

His words sliced deeper than I wanted to admit.

"Dristan, stop," Kai warned, but Dristan only scoffed, shaking his head.

Principal Whitmore's eyes flicked between us, unimpressed. "Enough. No one is accusing anyone yet. But from now on, all seven of you are under close watch until this case is resolved."

"Wait, what?" Ace's brows furrowed. "We're being treated like suspects now?"

"You're heirs," she replied flatly. "Which means you hold more influence—and responsibility—than any other student here. If any of you were involved, even indirectly, it threatens the balance between packs, clans, and courts. You'll cooperate."

Silence settled again. "In that case, the Fae court should be held accountable seeing as Titania aided Marianne in Valerie's necklace theft," Ash explained.

"Why does this keep getting worse?" Principal Whitmore exclaimed.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. "Principal Whitmore, I didn't take that necklace from her. It was mine."

"Perhaps," she said simply, then leaned back in her chair. "Or perhaps you're the one hiding something."

My lips parted, but no words came out. I could feel everyone's eyes on me—Xander's guilt-ridden, Kai's worried, and Dristan's… unreadable.

The sting in my chest spread until it burned. "I came here to help," I said quietly. "Not to be treated like a criminal."

"Then prove it," Whitmore replied. "Until you do, no one is above suspicion." The finality in her tone sealed the room like a lock clicking into place. "Dismissed."

For the first time since I walked into that office, I wished I'd never come.

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~Author's POV~

Meanwhile, chaos brewed through the academy halls like wildfire after the first period, spreading faster than whispers could catch up.

Students huddled in corners, exchanging theories in hushed voices. Many of which were baseless lies.

Some claimed Valerie had been dragged into the mess. But no one knew the truth hid in the shadows, where no sunlight ever reached.

In one of the offices in the laboratory, Neil's lips brushed against Isla's jawline in a slow, calculated trail that made her shiver.

He murmured something low—too low to catch—as his mouth descended to her throat.

His teeth grazed her skin before he sucked gently, leaving a fresh mark just above her collarbone.

Isla's breath hitched. A small, involuntary moan escaped her lips as her fingers curled into his shirt.

"Neil…" she whispered, her voice trembling between pleasure and restraint.

He smirked against her skin. "You should be careful saying my name like that," he teased her.

Their mouths met again, harder this time—desperate, messy, filled with everything they shouldn't be doing in a school office.

The desk behind her trembled slightly as she pushed him back, catching her breath.

Then, just as suddenly, Isla pulled away.

Her lips were swollen, her eyes hazy. "We shouldn't," she said, voice barely steady.

Neil only tilted his head, studying her, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "And yet, you always come back."

She didn't answer. She just adjusted her blouse, glared at him for a heartbeat longer than necessary, and left.

"I have class. I only came to check on you since you didn't reply to my chats this morning."

"Sorry, got busy with schoolwork," Neil explained.

Isla rolled her eyes. "Well, if you want more of me, do better than get busy." With that, she turned on her heels and walked off, slamming the door shut behind her.

Silence settled.

Neil stood there, chest rising and falling with each slow breath. For a moment, he looked almost bothered—torn, uncertain. Then, something changed. His expression hardened, the warmth draining from his eyes.

The lights in the room flickered once, then dimmed entirely. Shadows crawled along the walls, twisting like living smoke.

Neil didn't move as the entire room turned dark. And when the voice came, it was smooth and cold.

"Flame." Neil bowed his head. "My lord."

A tall figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked in faint red light. His eyes glowed like burning coals beneath his hood. The air itself seemed to tighten around him.

"I see you've put her on a tight leash," Flame said in a mocking yet approving tone.

Neil's jaw tightened. "I'm doing what needs to be done."

"Good." Flame's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "The school's buzzing with rumours just as planned. The bait I set is working. Dristan's credibility is fading by the hour, and soon, the Alpha bond will fracture completely amongst the heirs."

Neil's head lifted slightly. "Yes. Everything is unfolding as expected."

"Excellent." Flame stepped closer, his presence suffocating, the faint scent of ash lingering in his wake. "As long as the heirs remain divided, the council will stay blind. When chaos consumes them, we'll take what's ours."

Neil's eyes flickered. For a brief second, hesitation flashed there—then vanished. "Understood."

Flame paused, studying him. "You've done well, Neil. For now, I'll overlook your… needless sexual indulgence. What you do with your little mate is none of my concern—so long as she doesn't become a problem."

Neil swallowed hard, lowering his gaze again. "She won't. I've made sure of it. She's addicted to my dick and doesn;t question anything."

"Good." Flame's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Because I'd hate to see your loyalty… divided."

And then, just as he had appeared, he was gone. The shadows retreated, light flickered back on, and the room looked normal again.

Neil exhaled slowly, the mask of calm returning to his face. But his hands trembled.

He turned to the window, looking out at the academy grounds below. Students laughed in the courtyard, unaware of the darkness that slithered beneath their feet. His reflection stared back at him from the glass, his expression cold, unreadable.

But his eyes burned faintly red.

And somewhere deep inside him, his wolf growled a single word, "Liar."

Neil's lips twitched, the slightest crack in his composure showing. "Not for long," he whispered to his reflection.

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~Dristan's POV~

The moment we stepped out of Principal Whitmore's office, the air shifted with questions no one wanted to ask.

Valerie walked beside Xade, and even though her expression was calm, her scent gave her away. Conflicted.

Before anyone could speak, I reached out and grabbed her wrist. "You. With me."

Her eyes widened as I pulled her along, ignoring the startled looks from the others.

Ace took a step forward, jaw tight, but Ash's hand shot out to stop him.

"Let her be," Ash muttered. "Those two need to work through it. We can't afford division right now. The real enemy is still out there."

I didn't slow down. If anything, I moved faster after hearing that. Valerie stumbled once, tugging against my grip. "Dristan, let go," she hissed, but I didn't. Not yet.

We turned down the empty corridor, the sound of our footsteps echoing sharply off the walls.

At the end of the hall, I stopped in front of the Alphas' private training room. Without a word, I keyed the lock and shoved the door open. The scent of leather and steel filled the air.

"Behave," I said quietly, meeting her glare.

Valerie crossed her arms, a scoff leaving her lips. "Make me."

Soren groaned within me, rising to meet her challenge.

I stepped forward, kicked the door shut, and in one swift motion pinned her against the wall.

Her breath hitched, eyes flashing up at me. The space between us vanished, heat and anger tangled in the same breath.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."