My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 392

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~Valerie's POV~

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting like he already knew the answer. Then, with the same quiet confidence that always drove me insane, he hooked a finger under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze fully.

"You think I didn't notice the look on your face?" he murmured. "The way you froze when she kissed him?"

"I didn't—" I paused. How did he see it? Dristan wasn't even in the classroom when it happened.

He must have read my mind as his next response gave me all I needed. "I saw you from the window outside."

"I…"

"And don't think of lying to me, Valerie. You did." His voice softened, not accusing, just certain. "You don't have to lie to me, Val."

Astra snorted in my head. "He's enjoying this way too much."

I swallowed hard. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." His thumb brushed against my jaw, the gesture too gentle for someone like him. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like the girl who claims she doesn't care is bleeding jealousy all over the hallway."

My pulse spiked. "You done psychoanalyzing me?"

"Not even close."

"Dristan—"

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear. "Let him see what he's missing," he whispered.

I stiffened. "What?"

He smirked. "You're wasting all that fire glaring at walls, princess. Aim it where it hurts."

I glared up at him, but my voice came out quieter than I meant. "You're infuriating."

"Maybe," he said with a faint smile. "But I'm right and you know it."

For a long second, neither of us moved. His hand was still at my waist, my pulse still racing against his touch. Then he slowly let go, stepping back, though his eyes never left mine.

"Don't let Serena think she's got the upper hand," he said finally. "You're Valerie Nightshade. Act like it."

And with that, Dristan walked past me, his shoulder brushing mine as he went.

I stood there, breath uneven, trying to steady the storm in my chest.

Astra purred faintly in my head. "You're blushing."

"I am not," I muttered.

"Sure. Keep lying to yourself, princess."

*****

For the better part of the day, I tried to avoid Kai as much as possible. Ace and the others weren't exempted either.

People whispered that I was jealous, but I just didn't care, and soon Serena found her little fan club: the fae princess Titania and her minions, Astraea and Brielle.

Somehow, it was funny how Lucy wasn't hovering around their hive anymore. But to say I was angry about it was an understatement. It meant one less trouble.

And thanks to the Dragon King, Principal Whitmore did not push or bother all seven of us for now, but I knew she would soon make her move.

Before I knew it, it was time for training after classes. The training grounds buzzed with energy.

Afternoon sunlight poured through the glass dome above, painting streaks of gold across the sand pit and sparring rings.

The faint scent of sweat, and iron hung in the air.

I tightened the straps on my gloves, ignoring the chatter around me. Serena's laughter rang out from the other side, light and melodic in that annoyingly perfect way.

Of course, she'd made herself comfortable already — standing beside Kai, tossing her auburn hair as if she owned the place.

Astra grumbled in my head. "If she flips that hair one more time, I'm ripping it off myself."

"Focus," I muttered under my breath.

"Talking to yourself now?" Isla's voice came from behind me, teasing but concerned. She tossed me a water bottle. "You sure you're okay, bestie?"

"Peachy."

"Uh-huh. And I'm the Goddess of Luck."

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