My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 398 398: Try Out 2: Telling Serena Off

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~Valerie's POV~

The air felt colder, and the floor beneath my feet became loud and alive.

I knew once that my wolf senses synced instantly with my powers. Our opposing team soon walked towards the other side of the court, and leading them was none other than Serena and Astraea.

The moment we locked eyes, it felt like everyone watched and silence ensued. Rather than engaging in a meaningless verbal battle, all I did was smirk and move away.

Everyone took their positions. At the whistle, the ball was served and my feet moved.

My reflexes kicked in as I leapt higher than the rest of the girls, feeling the air brush against my skin as I spiked the ball with perfect force.

Gasps erupted in the stands. Another serve came, and I dove, sliding across the court to save it before launching a counter-hit that sent the opposing side, particularly Serena, scrambling.

Cheers followed immediately, before whispers filled the audience.

Soon, a group of guys began chanting my name in a rhythm that shook the bleachers.

"Nightshade! Valerie! Nightshade! Valerie!"

I felt my face warm but didn't dare look toward the section where my mates were seated. They had recently joined the audience and like the others, had their eyes on me.

Another serve came, and I followed the ball, swatting it down with so much force that I was sure no one would cash.

Astraea rushed forward, trying to hit the ball, but only ended up falling face down.

Another yell erupted and this time, I eventually looked in their direction.

Kai stood unmoving, eyes fixed on me with a look I couldn't decipher. Curse the goddess, he looked… proud, and pained at the same time.

Ash grinned, the proud-big-brother expression he always wore when I surprised him. Ace watched silently, calculating, amused. Axel seemed genuinely happy for me.

But it was Dristan's expression that made my stomach drop. His jaw was clenched, eyes dark, posture straight as if ready to jump down and drag me away from anyone cheering too loudly. Possessive didn't even begin to describe it.

And yet I thought Kai was the rumoured possessive one.

Xade stood beside him, serious-eyed, no teasing smile today, just with an intensity that felt heavier than the rest.

And from the stands above them, I heard Titania's voice dripping venom as she leaned toward Brielle and her minions. "She's showing off for them," Titania eyed me and added loudly. "Like a desperate whore. Serena would put her in her place."

I ignored it. I didn't have the energy to entertain her.

By the end of the session, the coach called for a break, and I slipped out early before anyone could swarm me.

We were told that the results for the finalists would be posted in our group chat and on the school board the next day.

The halls outside the gym were quieter, cooler. I leaned against the wall, letting myself breathe finally.

"Valerie."

I turned and saw Axel approaching. He offered me a bottle of water and a small smile that reached his eyes. "You did great in there," he said gently. "Really great."

I nodded, grateful for him. "Thanks."

Axel hesitated, then brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "If you ever need to talk… I'm right here."

Before I could respond, he stepped back as someone else approached.

Xade.

His eyes were dark, conflicted. He didn't waste time and spoke up, not like I could run today. I was tired.

"Little wolf." I almost chuckled at the nickname, but when I saw the serious look in his eyes, I tossed the thought. "You can't keep avoiding us like this." His voice was quiet but sharp with restraint. "We're not your enemies. We're your mates. Just talk to us."

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to breathe. "I'm trying."

"No. You're running," he corrected softly. "And one of us is going to catch you first."

Another set of footsteps echoed behind him.

Kai's presence enveloped me before his voice did. He moved closer, slower than usual, as if he feared one wrong step would send me sprinting away again. When he reached me, his voice dipped with something raw.

"You should have been mine long ago," Kai whispered. "I regret not… not taking you that day."

My cheeks burned. Kai did not care if Xade was there listening to us, and to be honest, I didn't.

Unfortunately for me, his words cracked through every wall I'd placed around myself. My heart thudded so loudly I almost stepped back. Instead, I leaned forward just enough to breathe the words too quietly for anyone else to hear.

"Then claim me. Make me stay. And this time, maybe I won't run away."

Kai stopped breathing. I felt and saw it. His entire body froze. When I glanced back at his face, all I could see was shock, desire, and disbelief crashing across his expression all at once.

"Don't go back on your words," Xade called out.

And before Kai could recover, I walked past him, leaving him standing there, frozen in the hallway as my footsteps faded.

*********

The library was almost empty at this hour, just the way I needed it. My second-to-last class had ended early, and since I didn't have any class in the last period, I decided to hide here until my last class was over.

I needed silence. Space. Anything that wasn't my mates' voices echoing through my head—or Kai's frozen expression replaying itself over and over.

But who was I kidding? I missed their hugs, kisses and all the times we…

I lowered my gaze to my book.

"All the times we almost made love."

Astra stirred in my mind. I could tell she wanted to talk but I was trying to avoid getting scolded by her.

I felt like I lost all my emotional connection to my mates because I didn't bond with them, mark them, or even consummate the bond.

I honestly didn't know where to start from, especially with my secret and Nightshade Thorn…

I sighed and curled into a seat near the tall window, letting the warm light slide across my notes. I wasn't reading any of them. My mind kept drifting.

"Then claim me." Goddess, why did I say that?

Before I could bury my face in my palms, my phone buzzed.

I took the phone and turned it over to see a message from Erick.

Erick: It's been a while, Nightshade. Are you up for an adventure to keep you alive again?

I couldn't help it, I smiled. Though a nerd, Erick still knew when I needed a distraction, even if he never said it directly. My fingers hovered for a second before I typed:

Yes.

Almost instantly, he replied.

"Meet me after the last period. At the Physics lab."

I tucked my phone back into my pocket, gathered my books, and stood up. My stomach growled, and I recalled I hadn't eaten all day.

Leaving the quiet sanctuary of the library, I stepped into the hallway.

And nearly collided with Serena.

Before I could side-step, she blocked my path with one step, eyes cold and smug. Her minions lingered a little farther back, pretending to scroll their phones but very clearly listening.

Of course.

Serena tilted her head, her lips curling in a slow, poisonous smile. "Valerie Nightshade. You're playing a game you can't win," she articulated. "When will you leave them. You were never meant for them."

I didn't flinch or blink. I was too tired to indulge her delusion today.

"Then stop circling me," I replied, voice flat, "like you're scared I'll take something you already lost."

Her nostrils flared. Serena's fingers balled into tight fists, knuckles whitening. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a sharp whisper inches from my face.

"One of your mates, one of the six, is about to be forced back into his betrothal."

For a heartbeat, everything inside me stilled, but Serena wasn't done. "You should…"

"Aren't you tired of failing?" I asked, raising a perfectly arched brow. "I beat you before, and I'll beat you again. Besides," my smile sharpened cruelly, "I seem to recall the Moon Goddess' mark being final… and absolving any other bond."

"If that was real, then you would have marked them since. And since you haven't, that should tell you, your bond is fake and probably filled with witchcraft. Nothing you and your mates have is real."

The words hit like a strike to the ribs.

My wolf growled deep inside me, not loud enough to be heard, but violent enough to rattle my spine. Heat pricked at the tips of my fingers, the edges of my vision tinting with dangerous gold.

I forced my jaw shut. I would NOT shift in the hallway over Serena's nonsense.

Still, my pulse thundered.

Serena waited for me to break, to react, to crumble, but I inhaled slowly and met her eyes with a calmness I didn't feel.

"You talk too much for someone trying to convince herself she still matters," I voiced and walked away.