My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 386 386: Intruder

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

~Valerie's POV~

"Rain?" Isla repeated, her grin spreading. "Oh, now it all makes sense. That little smirk you've been wearing wasn't from victory; it was from after practice."

"Isla!" Emerald gasped, covering her face again. "Can we not announce it to the entire academy?"

"Oh, come on," I teased, leaning closer. "If you're blushing that hard, it's not exactly a secret. You're glowing like a freshly charged runestone."

"More like a lovesick pixie," Solstice added with a giggle.

Emerald groaned dramatically. "Remind me why I hang out with you three again?"

"Because you love us," I said sweetly, looping my arm through hers.

"Barely," she muttered, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.

Before any of us could tease her further, I caught movement across the training hall, and my laughter died in my throat.

Dristan stood near the edge of the field with his arms crossed, his usual unreadable expression on his face. Next to him were Xade, Axel, Ace, Ash, and Kai, each showing different levels of intensity.

They were talking quietly, but when my gaze met Dristan's, his eyes flicked to me, and the conversation halted.

Then, one by one, they all turned to look my way.

My pulse skipped. The air felt heavier suddenly, my earlier amusement fading under the weight of their attention. It didn't take a genius to guess who they were talking about.

I tore my gaze away and forced myself to focus on training.

The next hour blurred by in a haze of movement, while I forced myself to concentrate. I dodged, sparred, and threw myself into drills just to drown out the gnawing feeling under my skin.

When the instructor finally dismissed us, I didn't wait for anyone to approach. I quickly unstrapped my gauntlets and spun toward Solstice.

"Come with me," I whispered, grabbing her hand.

She blinked, startled. "Val, what… wait! I was going to talk to my mate…"

"Please, Sol," I interrupted, lowering my voice to sound more serious. "I really need to tell you something. It's important."

Her brows drew together, but she caught the look in my eyes and nodded slowly. "Alright… but this better not be another Emerald-and-Rain-level secret."

I managed a faint smile and tugged her along before any of my mates, or anyone else, could reach me.

—

I grabbed Solstice by the sleeve and led her into a narrow hallway behind the guild rooms, the one with faded tapestries on the walls and a crooked bench that looked like it had seen better days.

The air smelled faintly of dust and old oils, and it was much quieter than the training floor, almost like everyone was holding their breath.

"You sure this is about telling me something, or are you just ditching your mates?" Solstice asked the instant we stopped. She raised her eyebrows, looking both curious and a bit amused at the same time.

"I'm doing both," I admitted. She blinked, then folded her arms.

Solstice narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Spill."

I leaned close enough that my words fell against her ear. "Promise you'll giggle no matter what I say."

She huffed, confused, but obedient. "Okay, giggle promise. Now say it."

"I've been in contact with Nightshade again." The words were out before I could choke on them. "I passed two of their tests. The last one… it's bad."

Solstice obliged, letting out a nervous giggle, though it died halfway. "I figured their final thing would be something dark. What is it? What happened?"

"It's not what happened." I exhaled, tasting iron. "It's what they want me to do. They want me to kill a man. Then one of theirs will collect and dispose of the body as proof."

No laugh this time. Solstice's face softened into something tight and steady. "Valerie…"

"I called Storm," I whispered. "He says he can stage it. He'll go in disguise, get a lock of the man's hair, run the illusion, and make it look real, without me actually ending a life. He's handling the dangerous parts."

Solstice's fingers twined with mine, hard. "Storm's… Storm can do illusion work, yeah. He's clever. But he's not invincible. Are you sure you want to drag him into this?"

"I don't want to put him at risk," I said quickly. "But I can't refuse. This might be how my parents were done. If Nightshade used this method on them, I have to get inside. I need answers."

She swallowed. "Who's the target?"

I told her. "Dominic J. Harvey."

Her mouth flattened. "That Dominic Harvey? The one who openly rails against the Alpha Kings?"

"Yeah." My shoulders tightened. "Storm's arranging everything. I asked Uncle; he doesn't seem bothered."

"Dad…?"

"Well, I don't think he understands yet."

Solstice made a small noise between a laugh and a sob. "You're going to make the royals explode when they find out."

"I know." I hugged her arm. "That's why I need you. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I need someone I trust for... support."

She blinked at me, then scoffed. "You mean emotional support, not a hit squad."

I smiled, despite myself. "Mostly emotional."

We heard footsteps and both looked up. Riven was there, arms in his pockets, that easy grin on his face like the sun rose just to flirt.

Solstice quickly mentioned, "Break up."

"Break up?" Riven asked before I could speak. "Valerie is considering breaking up with her mates? Drama!"

Solstice laughed before I could stop her. "She's not breaking up, Riven. She's just…" Solstice made a face and went silent.

Riven cocked an eyebrow. "Just what?"

I could see the mischief brewing. Solstice seized it. "Valerie's calling off the two-week deal. She won't date any more of them."

"Is that so?" Riven stepped closer, casual, dangerous. "If you need saving from six jealous wolves..."

"Save yourself for your mate," I snapped, slapping my palm playfully against his chest. He flinched, then doubled over laughing.

"Sorry, no. Stick to your own," I added, shaking my head.

Riven straightened, mock-offended. "What, and deny you the full Riven rescue package? Tragic."

He leaned in to Solstice, smirking. "You want another man's mate, love?"

Solstice scowled, elbowing him. "I will reject you spectacularly."

Riven laughed, the sound bright and easy, and I felt my shoulders loosen. For a heartbeat, the corridor felt normal again: gossip and teasing and the ridiculous, tender noise of friends.

"See you later," I called, tugging Solstice as I started away. She stuck close, and for the first time all day, my chest didn't ache so much.

As we walked back toward the training hall, I kept my voice low. "Thanks for this. For listening."

"Always," she said. "But say this much: if Nightshade asks something worse, you tell me and we burn it down before you do."

I nodded. "Deal."

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

~Author's POV~

Dominic J. Harvey's car rolled to a stop in front of his mansion, a grand, sprawling estate surrounded by perfectly trimmed hedges and marble fountains that caught the dying light of the evening.

The security gates shut behind him with a soft mechanical hum. He stepped out, straightening his suit jacket, his expression unreadable beneath the faint exhaustion of a long day.

His phone was pressed against his ear as he walked up the steps, the echo of his polished shoes filling the vast entryway.

"Yes, Damien, I just got home," he said coolly. "I need you to look into that girl I saw with Dristan Alexander the other day, the one at the restaurant."

The double doors opened before him, two maids bowing slightly.

He handed her one of his suitcases without sparing her a glance. "Take that to my study," he said, then continued into the foyer.

On the line, Damien's tone sharpened with irritation. "You're only telling me this now, Dominic? That was almost a week ago."

A faint smirk curved his lips as he handed his coat to another maid. "I got busy," he drawled, moving toward the main staircase. "But she's been on my mind. There was something off about her. The way she looked at him… it didn't feel random."

"Or maybe you're just imagining it because she's pretty," Damien retorted.

Dominic chuckled, pressing the elevator button. "Damien, I don't pay you to get angry at me. I pay you to follow instructions. Just do it."

A resigned sigh came through the phone. "Fine. It seems you want this girl more than you want to find out what's fishy about her. I'll indulge your fantasies, Dom."

He smirked wider. "Get out." The line went dead.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Dominic stepped inside, loosening his tie as the lift hummed upward.

The air grew cooler as he reached his private wing on the third floor. When the doors parted, he exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose before stepping out into the dimly lit corridor.

The hush of the hallway pressed around him. His butler appeared briefly from a side door. "Sir, shall I bring your drink to your room?"

"Yes. Something cold," Dominic replied without glancing back. The butler nodded and left silently.

Dominic's steps slowed as he reached the end of the corridor. A strange scent brushed his senses; it was faint but distinct, like rain-soaked jasmine and iron. His brow furrowed. He took another deep inhale, his instincts prickling.

Loosening his tie a little more, he reached into his pocket for his keycard and slid it into the reader beside his door. The small light blinked green.

The door opened with a muted click.

He paused in the doorway, his gaze sweeping the room, and the pristine order of his space suddenly felt too still. Nothing seemed out of place, yet something in the air buzzed, faintly charged, almost alive.

He stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind him.

And then… the lights flickered once, twice, before flaring on in a sharp, sterile glow.

Dominic froze, his pulse kicking against his ribs, eyes narrowing as he scanned the corners of the room.

"Hello, Dominic."