My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 391

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~Valerie's POV~

I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until Kai finally stepped back. His expression didn't give anything away—calm, unreadable, annoyingly collected.

Serena's fingers lingered on his arm before she stepped aside, smiling like she'd just won something. "Still the same as ever," she said softly.

That smooth, familiar voice in a way that scraped against my nerves.

Kai cleared his throat. "Serena," he said simply in a relatively flat tone. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same," she replied, half giggling but you school here." Her eyes darted briefly toward me before she turned back to him. "It's been a while."

Sensing the tension thickening like fog, the Professor quickly clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Ms. Dominic will be joining your group for the semester."

My fingers tightened around my notebook. Isla leaned closer, whispering, "She's trouble. I can smell it."

"Smell, I can see it," I muttered, not bothering to lower my voice much.

Serena's gaze flickered my way again. Her lips curved in a polite little smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You must be Valerie."

Every student turned to look at me. Great.

"Yeah," I said shortly. "And you are?"

Her smile widened just a bit. "Serena. But you already know that."

I blinked. "Do I?"

"Not yet," she said, voice lilting. "But you will."

Astra growled low in my mind, pacing restlessly. "She's baiting you, Val. Don't bite."

I kept my tone even. "Cute. You rehearse that, or does it come naturally?"

The class laughed quietly. Serena didn't flinch, just tilted her head like she was studying me under glass.

"Introduce yourself."

"Yes, Professor."

Serena moved closer to the centre of the class, pulling Kai with her. More gasps and whispers followed.

"I am Serena Dominic. I am happy to be here with you all at Prestige Supernatural Academy and to get close to my betrothed, Kai Draven."

Everyone went tense in class, especially Kai, but it wasn't like he was tense because of what she said or how she introduced herself.

His gaze was centred on me.

Every eye darted towards me in class, and it felt like several judgmental stares were passed along. Everyone waited to see my reaction.

Some even laughed—particularly Titania, Astraea and Brielle.

"You may be, but I am his mate."

"A mate with five other mates?" she half-scoffed. "Please, when the other heirs finalise their betrothal, all that would be left for you would be the Lycans. You can have them for all anyone cares," she said with a shrug.

At the same time, the other heirs walked into the class together to see the spectacle. Kai immediately moved away from the front of class and headed for his seat.

I caught Dristan and Xade's curious gazes locked on me as I looked away and focused on Serena.

"I can't wait for reality to dawn on you. Welcome, Serena."

Dristan's eyes went wide, and so did Xade's. Before any of them could speak, our Professor cleared her throat, and everyone went to their seat, composing themselves.

Kai sat at the seat behind me or adjacent, while Serena turned, took a seat right behind Kai, and crossed her legs. The movement was effortless and deliberate, like she'd done it for an audience.

Isla exhaled. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

"Yeah. Like a migraine."

The rest of class blurred past me. My notes were a mess—half words, half scribbles. Every time Kai spoke, Serena's eyes followed him. Every time he leaned forward, she leaned, too.

When the bell rang, I was the first to pack up. I just needed air.

But of course, the universe hated me.

"Val," Kai called as I reached the door.

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