My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 411 411: The Games

Kindly Hold On, Guys

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~Valerie's POV~

"A little," I admitted. "It's a big deal. The whole academy will be watching."

"You'll crush it," Axel said confidently. "You always do."

"He's right," Dristan added. "I've seen you play. You're incredible out there."

My cheeks warmed at their compliments. "Thanks, guys. That means a lot."

"We'll all be there cheering you on," Xade said with a small smile. "Front row."

"Front row?" I raised an eyebrow. "You guys are going to sit front row at a volleyball game?"

"Absolutely," Ace grinned. "We need to make sure everyone knows whose mate is out there dominating. I can also arrange for banners." Ace wriggled his brows playfully at me.

"Ace," I groaned, but I was smiling.

"What? I'm proud of you," he said unapologetically.

"We all are," Kai added.

Somehow, I felt spoiled to the fullest and could barely wait for the big game.

But at the same time, I was rethinking that joy. I was good, no doubt, but ti was an interschool competition.

Other aces from other top schools would be competing. I needed to bring my A game with absolutely no distractions.

My mind was beginning to do her little trick, wanting to push me into depressing thoughts or just simply overthinking.

I tossed the thoughts away and focused on them. They were already sharing light jokes, which made the tightness in my stomach ease off a bit.

The food arrived, and for a while, we just ate and enjoyed each other's company. The carbonara was amazing, creamy and perfectly seasoned. Ace had indeed ordered half the menu, and we all ended up sharing bites of different dishes.

"This is really good," I said, stealing a piece of bruschetta from Kai's plate.

"Hey!" he protested, but he was grinning. "Get your own."

"Sharing is caring," I shot back, popping it into my mouth.

"Is that so…?" Dristan asked with that unreadable sexy smirk. "Ot's okay to share you in…"

He did not get to finish his words when Ace shot him a glare. And I couldn't hold back my laugh and chuckled.

"So what are everyone's plans for the break?" Ash asked, twirling pasta around his fork.

"Training, probably," Dristan said. "My father wants me to spend more time learning pack politics and training more as punishment for this scandal."

Kai nodded. "Same here. Alpha duties don't take a break. And I'm sorry about that, Dristan." Dristan shrugged, as if it did not affect him, but I knew better.

"What about you, Val?" Xade asked. "Are you going home?"

I paused, thinking about it. I hadn't given it much thought.

The normal thing would be to go back to Uncle Zade's, but now that I had joined Nightshade's Group, I wasn't sure of their plans.

"I'm not sure yet. I might stay here for a bit."

"Why?" Axel inquired softly as he leaned forward, genuinely concerned.

"Nothing. Just to train more before the main games."

"No wonder you're as good as any of us and better than any female student," Xade complimented.

"Thank you," I replied shyly and took a slice of pizza to eat, more like hiding the blush creeping up my cheeks.

"You should come visit the Lycan Kingdom," Ace suggested. "We have this huge lake. Perfect for swimming. Also, it's a break from werewolf territory air. You need something strong and more relaxing."

"Yeah. We also have mountains," Ashton added. "Great hiking trails and other winter activities in the snow."

"Are you guys trying to recruit me for winter vacation?" I laughed.

"Maybe," Axel said with a smirk. "Is it working? Cause I'd love it if you could visit the Western Regions."

"Same," Dristan cut in, keeping his cool, but from the look in his eyes, I could tell he was equally eager or excited for this visit. "It would make training fun. We could train, go on several dates, do some naughty training activities…"

Dristan stuck out his tongue and gave a licking motion.

A soft gasp escaped my lips at what he was insinuating.

"Mine too. Though you are in my territory, you still have exploring to do, special dinner parties, I want to brag and show everyone my mate, while taking you on lovely dates, Vee," Xade voiced enthusiastically.

"If you're going to visit them, then yes, I'd love that too. I was silently thinking about this before today. It would be great. I can let my parents start getting used to the idea that you are mine and nothing changes," Kai chipped in.

"I'll think about it," I said, still smiling.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics: funny stories from classes, gossip about other students, plans for the upcoming Alpha Games. It felt so normal, so right. Like we'd never had that distance between us at all.

"Remember when Ace fell asleep in my uncle, Professor Draven's class?" Kai brought up, laughing.

"Hey, that was one time!" Ace defended himself.

"One time too many," Dristan said dryly. "Draven almost failed you."

"But he didn't," Ace pointed out. "Because I'm charming."

"Because you begged," Axel corrected.

We all burst out laughing, and I felt my chest swell with happiness. This—this was what I'd been missing. Just being with them, no pressure, no secrets hanging over us. Just... us.

After we finished eating, Ace stretched and looked around the table. "So, what now? The night's still young."

"There's that new arcade that opened up near the plaza," Ash suggested. "We could check it out."

"Arcade?" I perked up. "Sure, I'd love to go."

"Then it's settled," Dristan said, standing up and offering his hand again. "Arcade it is."

We paid the bill—after a brief argument about who would pay, which Dristan won by simply handing his card to the waitress before anyone else could protest—and headed out into the cool evening air.

The walk to the arcade was short, filled with more laughter and easy conversation. String lights illuminated the streets, and the sound of music drifted from nearby cafes. It felt almost magical.

The arcade was bright and loud, filled with the sounds of games and laughter. Neon lights flashed everywhere, and the smell of popcorn filled the air.

"Okay, I'm definitely challenging someone to air hockey," Ace declared immediately.

"I'll take you on," Kai said, cracking his knuckles.

"Loser buys ice cream," Ace added with a grin.

They rushed off to the air hockey table, already trash-talking each other. I shook my head, smiling at their antics.

"Want to try the racing game?" Axel asked, nodding toward a row of racing simulators.

"You're on," I said.

"Let's do a basketball game, Ash," Dristan offered, and Ash nodded.

"Be happy to beat you."

We played for what felt like hours. I beat Axel at racing, barely, and he insisted on a rematch. Dristan absolutely destroyed everyone at the basketball shooting game.

Ash won at the claw machine on his first try and gave me the stuffed bear he'd won. Xade and I teamed up for a zombie shooter game and made it to the final level before getting overwhelmed.

"This is fun," I said breathlessly, clutching my prize bear as we took a break near the prize counter.

"It is," Dristan agreed, looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in weeks. "We should do this more often."

"Definitely," I agreed.

Kai and Ace finally finished their air hockey tournament—Kai won, much to Ace's dismay—and we all headed to the ice cream shop next door as promised.

"I can't believe you beat me," Ace grumbled as we stood in line.

"You're just a sore loser," Kai teased.

"I am not!"

"You kind of are," I said, trying to hide my smile.

"Val!" Ace turned to me, mock-offended. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I'm on the side of truth," I said innocently.

Everyone laughed, and Ace eventually joined in, unable to stay grumpy for long.

We got our ice cream and sat outside on the shop's patio, enjoying the cool night air. I got cookies and cream, my favourite, and savoured every bite.

"This was a really good night," I said softly, looking around at all of them.

"Yeah, it was," Axel agreed, his arm draped casually over the back of my chair.

"We should make it a regular thing," Ash suggested. "You know, dates like this with all of us together."

"I'd like that," I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

"Then it's a plan," Dristan said with a smile.

We sat there for a while longer, just talking and laughing under the stars. And for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.

Everything felt perfect.

When we finally headed back to PSA, I was exhausted but happy. Genuinely, completely happy.

"Thank you," I said as we reached the entrance to my dorm building. "For tonight, and for everything."

"Anytime, Val," Kai said, giving me a gentle hug.

One by one, they each hugged me goodbye, and I felt the mate bond purr contentedly at the contact.

As I walked into my dorm, clutching my stuffed bear and replaying the night in my head, I couldn't stop smiling.

Tonight had been exactly what I needed: fun, peaceful, lovely, and just being simple.

I sighed as I muttered, "I love you, guys."

Then Astra's soft voice purred. "I know."