My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 376 376: Eavesdropping

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~Valerie's POV~

My eyes shot to Dristan's, and what I saw there made my blood run cold.

"Dristan?" I whispered.

He stood slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. "Dominic Harvey," he said quietly, "the man against the Alpha Kings… and their rule."

I did not know what to think or say, other than the fact that we... well, Dristan and the other heirs, my mates, would hate this man.

Good... maybe not.

But that did not mean I had any right to kill him, but I did.

Dristan's expression still did not change. I exhaled and headed to the washroom to do my business.

A couple of minutes later, I stepped out, a bit refreshed and a whole lot nervous. Dristan's gaze drifted to meet mine, and he stopped what he was doing.

Literally just twirling his fork in his spaghetti and looking lost.

"Dristan."

"Come sit."

I nodded slowly and took my seat, but right now, my interest was no longer on that meal but on what was happening right next door.

"So, what do you know about Mr. Harvey?"

"Excuse me?"

I knew he did not like the question, but I was asking it anyway. "You do not like him very much."

"Do you?" Dristan shook his head and lifted his chin to look at me.

"Huh… I hardly know the guy. Save for umm… he doesn't like the current rule?"

"Right. He believes the werewolf kingdom should denounce the Alpha Kings, stating they were self-proclaimed rulers and that the kingdom should return to democratic rule to elect one leader. That's bullshit."

"Ohh."

"Just oh?"

One look at the way he clenched the fork so hard, bending it, was enough proof that he was pissed; he didn't need to say it.

"Umm, what do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Maybe my mate wouldn't support someone against me."

"Well, technically, he isn't against you but your dad."

"And if their rule is gone, doesn't that affect mine?"

I wanted to retort, but I knew better than to do that, lest this never end.

"Okay, sorry about that. I am not… You know what? Just forget him."

Seeing me resign like that, Dristan twisted his lips to the side and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry…" Dristan lowered his head a little. "I just got a bit angry, and you aren't to blame."

"Hmm." I shifted in my seat, placing my hands on the table, and tried to focus on the nice array of mouthwatering dishes before me.

Dristan tried to make me smile. He cracked a joke about the spaghetti being an insult to the Moonrealm chefs, attempted to mimic the server's overly formal accent when he'd said "Lunar Spiced," and even exaggerated the way I'd held my fork earlier, like I was about to duel it.

Normally, I might've laughed, maybe even rolled my eyes and called him ridiculous.

But I didn't, not tonight.

My mind wasn't in that room anymore.

I gave a small, polite smile at his effort, but it didn't reach my eyes. "You're terrible at impressions."

"Wow," he said, placing a hand over his chest, pretending to be offended. "That was uncalled for. I'm amazing at impressions."

"Sure," I muttered, poking the pasta that I hadn't touched.

He sighed, leaning back slightly, the playfulness fading from his expression. His gaze softened, but there was a flicker of concern beneath it. "You're quiet," he said simply.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"You're not," he countered, his tone low but firm. "You always say you're fine when you're overthinking."

I didn't answer that. Couldn't, really. Because he was right.

Through the faint sound of the restaurant's music, I caught voices coming from the next suite. My wolf hearing sharpened instantly.

The tone was calm but serious, diplomatic, even. I could make out Dominic Harvey's voice. It was smooth, confident, and… persuasive.

"…not rebellion," he was saying. "It's reformation. The people deserve a say. One Alpha, one throne—it's tyranny. We can build something new, something fair."

My fingers tightened around the edge of my napkin. My target. My order.

Beside me, Dristan said something else—I didn't catch it. My focus was entirely on those muffled voices. Every word Dominic spoke felt like bait to my conscience.

"Valerie?"

I blinked and turned to Dristan, who was observing me.

"Sorry," I said, forcing a small smile. "I just need some air."

"Air?" His brow furrowed. "You're feeling sick?"

"No. Just… air."

He hesitated, then nodded. "I'll come with you."

"No," I said quickly, a bit too sharply. "It's okay. I won't go far."

He frowned at that but didn't push. I could tell he wanted to; Dristan always did, but something in my tone must've told him to let it be.

I rose from my seat, smoothed my skirt, and grabbed my phone. As I headed for the door, I caught my reflection in the mirror on the wall—calm eyes, calm face, calm walk. Only my pulse betrayed me.

Once outside, the air rushed at me like I'd slammed into a brick wall. It was cool and scented faintly with jasmine and smoke. The hallway was dim and quiet, but from here, the next suite was just a few feet away.

I stood still for a second, listening again.

"The Alpha Kings' control is old-world hierarchy," Dominic continued. "They call it strength, but it's fear that keeps the packs loyal. We can unite the werewolf realms without thrones or bloodlines."

Another voice, his companion's, a bit rougher, asked, "And if the royals retaliate?"

"We'll be ready. I have support."

My heartbeat thudded so loud it felt like he could hear it from where he sat.

"Idiot," I muttered to myself.

In all the realms and races, no one had a democratic rule. Their royals and court ruled all.

Just because the main royal line had been destroyed doesn't mean the Alpha Kings' rule should end. Mother and father shared the kingdom for a reason.

My chest rose as I inhaled deeply before releasing my breath. Just then, I heard a ringtone coming from his suite.

Before I could do anything, I heard footsteps heading towards the door.

I cleared my throat and stepped away.

However, I barely took four steps when the door opened and a handsome, tall blond man stepped out.

"Hey, you, stop right there."