My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 371

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~Valerie's POV~

"Ace."

He'd been quiet for the past minute, eyes trained on the way our hands were linked between us. The breeze carried the faint scent of pine from the west woods, brushing against my face, and for a brief second, everything almost felt… calm. Almost.

Then his voice broke through. "Valerie."

The sound of my name from his lips sent an involuntary shudder through me. It wasn't fear; more like my body reacting before my mind caught up. His tone had that steady warmth I'd grown too comfortable with.

"What?" I asked, trying to sound normal, though my heart gave me away.

Ace smiled faintly. "You spaced out."

I blinked and looked away, realising I had. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he said softly. His thumb slowly brushed the back of my hand in a reassuring way. "You've had a lot on your mind lately."

That was an understatement. Between Principal Whitmore's accusations, Dristan's storm of emotions, and everything else I was trying to hold together, my head was a mess.

"I didn't mean to make things worse," I muttered, my eyes dropping to our hands again.

Ace's grip tightened, just a little. "Valerie, you don't make things worse. You just… attract chaos." His smile didn't reach his eyes this time.

"Funny," I said weakly. "That's what Dristan said, too."

That name shifted the air instantly. Ace's smile faltered, replaced by quiet tension. "Right. Dristan." He released a breath through his nose, looking away for a moment before turning back to me. "You've been around him a lot lately," he said, too calmly.

"It's complicated," I admitted. "He's just… trying to make things right."

Ace huffed quietly. "Is that what you think he's doing?"

"I know it doesn't look that way, but yes." My tone came out softer than I meant. "He's trying, Ace."

He looked at me for a long moment, his gaze searching mine as if he wanted to believe me but couldn't quite allow himself to. "You keep trying to fix people who are already breaking you," he said at last.

I swallowed hard. "Someone has to."

"Not you," he said firmly. "Not always you."

I didn't know how to respond. The tension between us wasn't anger; it was something heavier, more dangerous.

"I told you about the deal," I said quietly, breaking the silence. "Two weeks with each of you… to understand, to choose."

Ace's jaw flexed. "And how's that working out so far?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "Every time I think I understand one of you, something changes."

He gave a humourless laugh. "You think you can balance six people, Val. But you can't even balance yourself right now."

The words hit harder than I expected. Because deep down, I knew he was right.

He sighed, voice dropping low. "You're going to break if you keep this up. And when you do, you'll take all of us down with you."

My throat tightened. "I'm trying, Ace."

"I know you are," he said, softer now. "That's the problem."

Silence settled again.

Finally, Ace turned to me, his gaze steady, almost pleading. "Pick a side, Valerie. Before the bond makes that choice for you."

His words lingered long after he walked away, burning like a truth I couldn't escape.

And deep within, I felt Astra stir restlessly. Because she already knew what I didn't want to admit… the choice had already started making itself.

*****

By the time I got back to my room, after the day's activities—class, training for the Alpha Forge, then just relaxing in the field alone—Ace's words were still echoing in my head like an unwanted rhythm.

I did not want to head to my room on time to give myself time to think and avoid my roommates guessing what was wrong with me, even though I knew that not being there was enough to draw attention.

Pick a side, Valerie.

I dropped my bag onto the chair and leaned against the door for a second, breathing out slowly. My thoughts were a tangled mess: Ace's disappointment, Dristan's temper, and Principal Whitmore's suspicion.

It all felt like too much, and I hadn't even begun to process half of it.

When I finally pushed myself to move, my gaze caught something on the desk.

A thick envelope… the same deep purple colour I'd come to dread and recognize like the back of my palm.

My stomach tightened. Nightshade.

I crossed the room, my fingers brushing over the seal.

It wasn't addressed to anyone as usual, but I already knew it was meant for me. That specific shade of purple, the faint metallic scent of ink, the heavy parchment; it was impossible to mistake.

I sat down, pulling the letter closer. For a moment, I just stared at it. I hated how familiar it felt, how my hands didn't even tremble anymore before opening one. Then I tore it open.

Inside, I found a folded piece of paper. It was straightforward; no greetings, just a clear message.

"Final instruction. Come to the east courtyard. 9:20 p.m. sharp. Last test."

That was it. No name, no signature. Just those three short sentences.

I glanced at the clock, 8:50 PM.

"Perfect," I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair.

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