My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 75: Spill the Deets

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Chapter 77

~Valerie’s POV~

"I don’t know who they were," I said finally, my voice quiet again. "And I don’t know who wants me gone."

The room was hushed, the kind of silence that prickled under the skin. Isla’s brows furrowed immediately.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "Think. Is there anyone in this school who has serious beef with you? Someone you’ve wronged—or pissed off badly?"

I gave a small, dry laugh. "There are plenty. It’s an elite academy—half the students here have egos bigger than the mountain it’s built on. But... I don’t think anyone hates me that much."

That was true. Or... it had been true—until I remembered and my body froze mid-thought, eyes distant, breath catching in my throat.

Isla didn’t miss it. Her gaze sharpened like a blade, focused on me. "What is it?"

Emerald leaned in slightly. "You remembered something, didn’t you?"

I hesitated, then nodded slowly. Of course, I could not tell them this might be because of me or the higher-ups, as Principal Whitmore had suggested.

So instead, I went with the next truth. "A letter. Someone left a note for me a few weeks ago. No name, no signature. Just a message: ’You don’t belong here, stray. Go home."

Emerald’s mouth fell open in shock.

"Are you sure?" Astraea’s voice was gentle, but there was a weight behind her words.

I nodded again. "Yes, I am sure.’

"Do you have proof?" Astraea questioned, making me suspect why she was asking. But at th same time, she could have been concerned. "I threw it away."

Astraea exhaled sharply and ran a hand through her hair. "So there’s no proof."

I frowned at her tone, something defensive rising in my chest. "I didn’t think much of it then. I get comments all the time—whispers behind my back. I thought it was just more of the same."

Astraea’s eyes narrowed slightly, her arms folded. "But you knew this was different, didn’t you?"

That made me blink. Astraea rarely doubted me like this. It was usually Emerald who pressed for facts and logic and evidence. So why was Astraea suddenly playing the skeptic?

I gave her a long, questioning look. "Why are you the one doubting me?"

Astraea blinked at the accusation, but didn’t answer right away. "Am I?"

Before I could answer someone else interrupted. "Okay, okay, let’s just pause here," Isla clapped once, cutting through the tension. "Anonymous letter’s a dead lead unless it turns up again. So—who else?"

I shrugged helplessly. "I’m thinking. I don’t know. Nothing’s clear right now."

Isla gave me a firm look, then sighed. "That’s enough for tonight. You’ve been through a lot already."

Emerald stood and stretched. "Come on. You should shower. You look like you’ve been dragged through a war zone. Let us cook something decent for once."

I nodded, grateful the food most especially. I was.

"Thanks. I’ll be quick."

"Nonsense. No one is chasing you in there," Emerald reminded me.

"Sure thing," I refuted with a nod.

I turned away with a small smile, leaving them murmuring behind me.

Inside my room, the moment the door clicked shut, my heart thundered in my chest. I sat down heavily on the bed, holding my breath.

Astra’s voice suddenly echoed softly in my head. Her voice was calm but insistent.

"Why did you lie? You told them you threw the letter away. It’s in your drawer, second from the bottom."

I closed my eyes. "Because I don’t trust anyone right now."

"Not even them?" Astra asked, quieter now.

"No," I replied, jaw clenched. "Not completely. Not yet. Not until I know who’s on my side and who’s just pretending."

She didn’t respond immediately. I felt the weight of her disapproval, but I stood by my words.

"Keep your enemies closer," I continued silently, "but your friends close too—until you know the difference. People betray people every day, Astra. Just because they hugged me doesn’t mean they wouldn’t stab me in the back later."

Astra sighed. "Fine. But ignoring your mates won’t protect you from the obvious."

I groaned, already knowing where this was going. "What obvious?"

"You were kissed by two of your bonded mates. You do remember you have six, yes? So, who’s next?"

I nearly screamed, smacking a pillow against my face.

I knew she was holding back her excitement, but Astra had forgotten that she and I were one. I could tell she was majorly excited by what happened with my mates today, even though she tried to be stoic.

Astra snorted. "You can reject them, sure. But remember, if you’re stuck with them for eternity, why not get to know each one? See if maybe—just maybe—you like them before your world falls apart again."

Before I could answer, a knock sounded on the door. I looked up and answered. "Come in."

Isla peeked her head in, already smiling. There was something mischievous in her eyes as she walked over, her gaze never leaving mine.

"Isla... am I safe?"

Her smile spilled further into her eyes. "Duh, you are."

I pretended to sigh but my curious gaze remained trained on her. Right now my antennae was open.

"You know," she said casually, "Dristan doesn’t take just anyone to the family house."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"

Her smirk widened. "Just wondering what really happened between you two. Also, while we’re at it... why can I smell Xade and my cousin all over you?"

I stared at her. "What?"

Isla stepped closer, lifted a hand. "When we hugged earlier—I know their scent. Don’t even try lying. I smelled both of them on you."

Heat rushed to my face.

I stood up, grabbed my towel, and started backing toward the bathroom. "He kissed me," I muttered quickly.

Isla’s jaw dropped slightly, then lit with triumph.

And with that, I fled into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me and pressing my back to it like it could block out the world.

"Valerie Nightshade," Isla’s half-squealing voice called from outside my door, her excitement building up. "Come out and spill the details."