My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 344

Chapter 344: 1st Official Date

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Chapter 345

~Valerie’s POV~

When classes finally ended, I was mentally exhausted with beating myself up.

My friends noticed, but none of them approached me. Isla shot me a worried glance, but I shook my head minutely, silently asking for space.

Solstice, on the other hand, didn’t even try—which was exactly what I needed. She knew me too well. She always had.

Times like this called for Valerie Sapphire Violet Snow to revisit the drawing board and get my shit together.

Still, guilt pricked at me for neglecting her since her return.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and mouthed a soft "thank you" her way as I packed my bag. I needed to regroup. To think.

I exited the classroom quickly, hoping to avoid my mates—or anyone else, really—until I could breathe again.

But of course, fate wasn’t done mocking me.

I had barely taken three steps into the hallway when a hand grabbed my wrist and yanked me backward.

My body collided with a wall of warmth and strength, knocking the breath from my lungs.

The familiar, intoxicating scent assaulted my nostrils instantly—his lovely scent and something sharper that always made my stomach flip.

"Ace," I whispered without meaning to, my heart lurching painfully against my ribs.

Astra purred in contentment in my mind. I did not let her chant her usual mate cheer and shut her out.

Ace turned me around to face him gently, holding me firmly but carefully, as though I might shatter. My mind screamed to pull away, to demand space—but my body betrayed me, melting against his touch.

And before I could think, before I could speak, before I could even breathe properly... Ace pressed his soft lips against mine.

And for the second time that day, I let it happen.

My classmates awwed and cheered while Ace kissed me right in front of everyone. I didn’t push him away—I didn’t even try. Maybe I should have, but after the draining day I’d had, the warmth of his lips was... grounding.

By the time he broke the kiss, his perfect blue eyes were shimmering as they locked on mine, unblinking, filled with something I couldn’t name.

"You’ve been ignoring me all day, babe," he murmured, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Is this how you want to start our first date?"

I sighed softly, lowering my gaze. "I’m sorry... today just hasn’t been the best."

"I know."

His voice was quiet but certain, like he’d already read everything I was feeling. I hated how easily he could do that.

"Technically, everyone in class knows," Astra pointed out as I rolled my eeys at her.

"So..." I began, but Ace cut me off smoothly.

"So, you let your first official boyfriend take care of you," he said with that infuriating, confident smirk. "Let me handle the mood swings and sulking. You just... breathe."

"Ace, I can’t," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I need to focus. My grades tanked and..."

"Valerie." His voice softened. "You beat yourself up too much. You’re allowed to relax."

His words landed heavier than I expected. Something about the way he said "relax" made my chest tighten.

Maybe it was the exhaustion talking, maybe it was him, but I found myself nodding slowly.

"Fine," I whispered.

His grin widened in a wicked and victorious way. "That’s my girl."

Ace’s grin widened, his fingers lacing through mine as he leaned closer. "Come on, babe. Let’s get out of here."

I blinked at him. "Out? As in... cafeteria out or leaving school?"

"What do you think?"

"Leaving school?" My brows were lifted, not really knowing what he was planning.

"Exactly, Princess." He winked. "Just for a bit. I’ll have you back before curfew, promise."

I hesitated. "Ace, I—"

"No excuses," he interrupted smoothly, tugging me gently toward the hallway. "You need a break, and I’m not taking no for an answer."

I sighed but couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at my lips. "...Fine. Just this once."

"That’s all I need," he said, triumphant. And with that, we slipped out together.

Within thirty minutes, I was seated in Ace’s car, now dressed in a sleek, thigh-high black leather skirt paired with a sleeveless, low-cut blouse that teased just enough cleavage. Completing the look were my six-inch heeled boots, their polished shine catching the faint sunlight.

I didn’t want to dress in my usual trousers, hoodie, or tanktop outfit.

I wanted to just be a bit free and wild.

My last joyful ride before full focus.

The sound of the engine vibrated softly beneath us as we drove out of the academy’s gates. The late afternoon sun was low, spilling orange streaks across the windshield, and the cool breeze from the half-open windows tangled through my hair.

"Where are we going?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

"You’ll see," he replied, flashing me one of his side-smiles that always made me suspicious.

Turns out, we ended up at a small ice cream café tucked into the middle of town. It wasn’t fancy, but it was cozy—the kind of place with tiny booths and soft, warm lighting.

Ace got a large parfait loaded with strawberries, grapes, cashew nuts, dates, chopped apples and pears, and yogurt. I, of course, settled for a simple chocolate ice cream cone.

"You’re boring," he teased, spooning up an exaggeratedly big bite of his parfait. "Chocolate ice cream and just that?"

"Classic," I replied with a shrug, licking my ice cream slowly.

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