My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 393 393: Like Your Queen

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~Valerie's POV~

All through the rest of the day, I remained indoors, not really bothering with anything at all but letting my mind wander.

Serena was here. Did that mean the other girls who were betrothed would be coming for my mates?

I couldn't blame them or even Kai, considering I had made a decision and hadn't given them a chance to contest it.

I facepalmed, then drew my hand to my face, stopping when my phone's notification rang.

I drew the phone from my pocket and checked the message. It was a message from our coach in the volleyball group chat.

Announcement: The volleyball selection match is scheduled for tomorrow during lunch break. Lateness will attract a deduction of marks.

"Good. Now this is something that I can occupy my thoughts with. I'd better get practising."

With that, I stood up, changed into something sporty, and headed out with just a water can.

The moment I stepped out of my room, Isla's voice floated in from the lounge.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't the girl who folded Serena Dominic like warm laundry in front of the entire senior class."

I groaned. "Isla... please don't start."

Isla grinned from the couch, a smoothie in her hand, legs crossed like she was the queen of casual gossip. "Oh, I'm absolutely starting. Do you know how hard Titania's jaw dropped? I swear I heard it crack."

Heat crawled up my neck, and before I knew it, I was blushing.

Isla's smirk widened. "You're blushing. Goddess, this is delicious."

"It wasn't that big a deal," I muttered, trying not to smile but failing miserably.

But the smile didn't last long. The heavy tightness in my chest returned. Isla noticed instantly.

Her grin faded. She pushed up from the couch and walked over to me, smoothie dangling from her fingers. "Okay." Her voice softened. "What's wrong?"

I shrugged weakly. "Nothing."

"Valerie." Isla gave me the look. The one that said she'd drag the truth out of me even if she had to shake it loose. "Tell me the truth. Does Kai's betrothal to Serena bother you so much or…?"

I looked away. "It shouldn't," I whispered. "And it should."

Isla paused, frowning thoughtfully before massaging her temples. "I understand. I do. But…" She exhaled and held my chin gently, forcing me to meet her eyes. "You've delayed this enough, Valerie."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, avoiding making eye contact.

"It means," she said with a certainty that made my stomach flip, "I think I speak for all of us when I say it's about time you belong to your mates. Not just one. All of them. They've proven that they want you. That they love you and baby girl, I know you do too."

My breath caught. I tried to breathe evenly as though her words weren't affecting me, but I'd be lying if I said they weren't.

"Valerie," Isla continued softly, forcing our eyes to meet, "the bond demands it… and so does your heart. Mate with them. Mark them. Make them yours and let them claim you."

Her words hit something deep, something I'd been running from. And finally… I couldn't pretend I didn't hear it.

"Isla…" I breathed.

She squeezed my shoulders. "You love them. All six of them. And they love you. You're not cheating fate by letting yourself have what's yours."

I swallowed hard and gave a nod.

The more Isla spoke, the more realistic everything felt for me. Astra purred within me as she gave me that sarcastic look in my mind.

"Told you, sweetheart. Aside from the love, it makes both parties stronger."

I did not reply to Astra but decided to change the topic a bit.

"There's… uh… tryouts tomorrow. For the final inter-school volleyball competition."

"Oh!" Isla brightened. "I hadn't checked the group chat yet. Is that where you're going now?"

"No," I said quickly. "It's tomorrow during lunch. I just wanted to train a bit now. Clear my head, you know."

Then I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "And also… I don't want it to seem like I slept with my mates just because I suddenly have 'competition.' That's pathetic."

Isla rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd detach. Then, with the most dramatic lick of her lips I'd ever seen, she said, "Sweetheart, you haven't had a damn good orgasm with your mate's dick inside you, all of them cumming in sync while they fuck you like only they can."

I choked. "ISLA!"

She winked, completely unbothered. "Baby, I know from experience." Then she smacked my ass, playfully and loudly. "Now shoo. Go tempt your men."

I shook my head, stunned, but a small smile slipped out. "Goodbye, menace."

"Love you too," she sang.

The moment I stepped outside the hostel, heads turned and whispers followed.

"That's her..."

"...the one with six mates..."

"I heard their betrothals are being reinstated..."

"Yeah, and in jealousy, she beat Serena, Alpha Kai's girl."

I ignored them all. I had bigger problems.

The training centre was thankfully empty, quiet, and peaceful. Just what I needed.

I dropped my water can, stretched, and began some light warmups. But halfway through my set, the hairs on my arms lifted.

I suddenly felt a warm, familiar, and unavoidable presence behind me.

"Kai," I breathed without turning.

He stepped into view, hands in his pockets, voice softer than usual. "Hey."

I stood straight. "Training?"

"Maybe." He tilted his head. "You're avoiding me."

"I'm busy," I said flatly.

"Mm." He didn't believe me for a second. "Do you remember our first sparring session?"

I blinked. "Why?"

He walked around me slowly, circling, just like before. "When you challenged me. The loser loses an article of clothing."

I snorted. "You mean when you ended up shirtless in under five minutes?"

His lips twitched. "You cheated."

"No," I corrected, matching his steps, "you underestimated me."

Kai exhaled, a soft laugh under his breath. "Right."

We fell naturally into a routine of small jabs, light dodging, and footwork. Our bodies remembered the rhythm like it had been yesterday.

For a moment, it felt normal. Then he broke the silence.

"Val… about training with Serena."

I froze mid-step. Here we go.

Kai held his ground. "I wasn't comfortable seeing you fight her like that. I just—"

My temper flared. "What? You came here to scold me? Or to warn me to treat your betrothed like a queen?"

Kai's eyes widened, shock flashing through them.

"Valerie..."

"No," I snapped, stepping back. "Say it, Kai. You're here for Serena, right? To warn me and make sure I don't ruin Daddy's precious political arrangement? To treat your betrothed like your queen, right?" I repeated, letting my own frustration, jealousy, and pain bleed through.

Hurt flickered in his expression. But rather than leaving me, Kai moved closer.

"Val," Kai whispered, his voice broken, "All of what you said isn't true. I love you, Valerie. And I'm here for you."