My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 83: Her Name

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Chapter 83

~Ash’s POV~

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Valerie’s name being mentioned there. I swallowed and took a step back.

Something in me locked up. A single name burned in my chest.

Valerie.

I turned quietly, slipping back down the hallway before they noticed. I found Ace leaning against the wall near the stairwell, tossing a small red fruit in his hand like he’d never moved.

"Well?" he asked.

I swallowed. "Where’s Luna Star?"

Rather than answer me, Ace questioned. "I knew you were eavesdropping. What did you hear that left you shaken?"

Just as I was about to answer, he beat me to it, his eyes darkening a bit. "And don’t you dare lie to your twin. I know you. What is wrong?"

My voice was low, tight. "It’s not nothing, just a visit."

Ace raised a brow. "Spill?"

"It’s not in my place to say or hear. You are free to ask Mum later, but for now, I just need to confirm something."

His expression shifted into something more serious and sharp. "What about it? You tell me, Ash. Remember, we made a promise to each other. We do not keep secrets from each other. So spill."

I sighed and met his gaze and said the only thing that made sense.

"They spoke about the late southern heiress and a prophecy."

"So?"

"Mum claimed to be having dreams of a prophecy that is linked to her, and she believes the Southern Heiress may be alive."

Ace studied me briefly. "That isn’t why you look pale, is it? There’s more."

I nodded and tucked my hands in my pockets. "Her name, though. Her name is Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow."

Before I could say anything, Ace’s eyes widened. "Valerie?"

"I don’t know. I do not have any proof, and besides, a name can be used by several people, even those who know each other, but... I do not know why something struck a chord, but I think it’s her."

Ace shook his head. "No. I doubt it."

"Is it though? No one has a picture of the Southern Heiress, but we do have one of Luna Zara. Don’t you see a slight resemblance?"

"But she died," Ace countered, trying to be the voice of reason. "And their hair colours don’t match."

"Yes, and they believe reincarnation is possible."

Ace shook his head and began moving back and forth with his hands locked behind him like some old teacher. "Are you sure?" he asked once he stopped pacing.

"I do not know, and neither does Mum. That is all she has, her speculation."

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Later that evening, we found ourselves sitting at the royal guest house at the side of the mansion.

It was a quiet, private dining room and house reserved only for bloodline royalty anytime they visited, Luna Star had explained.

Our mother had joined us for dinner.

And by joined, I meant interrogated us with a silver spoon in hand and an arched brow like she was already suspicious.

She sipped her wine first, quietly. Too quiet.

"So," she said suddenly, and I looked up from my half-cut steak. "Anything... interesting happen while I was gone?"

Ace didn’t answer. He was chewing. For me, I kept my head down.

"Anything at all?" Mum pressed, casually twirling her fork like it was nothing. "Like, say... meeting your mate?"

We both choked. I reached for my water and nearly spilt it. Ace pounded his chest, muttering curses under his breath.

Mum’s lips curled. Her eyes narrowed like a wolf scenting prey. "Start spilling."

We said nothing. Then the mind link snapped open like a whip.

"Spill, boys. I am your mother."

I winced. Ace groaned. We hated it when she did that. That was the one state or place we couldn’t lie because she could feel or see into our minds to know.

It was something she had learnt, a trick spell a witch taught her.

"Fine, Mum," I grumbled through the link. "We found our mate."

There was a beat of silence.

"Already?!" she squealed—out loud this time—and clapped her hands once, nearly knocking over her glass. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

We both stared at her like we were watching a child, particularly speaking, our younger sister acting spoiled.

Ace muttered, "You asked us, remember?"

Mum beamed. "Tell me all about them! Who are they? What pack is she from? Is she noble born? Oh, do I know her family?"

"Who?" Ace corrected, stabbing at his food like it offended him.

She paused. Her eyes widened. "You’re mated to the same girl?" We both nodded, and she clasped her chest. "Moon Goddess be praised."

I groaned. "Really, Mum?"

"What? It’s no surprise! You two always shared everything growing up—your toys, your swords, your punishments. And don’t think I forgot how you both used to pray for the same mate when you were little."

I facepalmed. Ace slouched back in his chair like he was rethinking life. We were the ones who asked for this!

Well, although we asked for the same mate, we never asked the Moon Goddess to share her with other guys as well.

"Yeah," Ace muttered. "Seems like we weren’t the only ones with that wish."

My mother’s eyes narrowed. "Wait. What does that mean?"

Ace glanced at me. I shrugged. Screw it. "Well, we’ve already spilled... might as well say the rest."

She leaned in, eyes practically glittering.

"She’s... mated to..." I began but Mum cut in.

"Someone else?" Her voice pitched up like it might shatter the windows as she blinked in surprise.

"Yup," Ace lied smoothly, pushing his mashed potatoes around. "Just one more."

Liar.

"Oh boy," she exhaled. "And how are things among you three?"

We both shrugged at the same time.

"She’s still trying to process things, I guess," I said.

"Well, she should," Mum nodded, suddenly grinning again. "Looks like I’ll have my daughter-in-law soon!"

Ace and I exchanged a look. Neither of us said a word. We did not want to spill the truth about Valerie’s other four mates.

Then she asked it. "So. What’s her name?"

I froze.

Ace did too—mid-bite, fork halfway to his mouth. We didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

"Answer me," she said softly. "I promise I won’t run a background check. Or... a magical trace. Or summon her wolf spirit." she began to list off the things her crazy mind would have done.

"You promise?" Ace asked suspiciously.

She reached over and patted his arm gently, eyes twinkling. "I promise, darling."

I rolled my eyes. He fell prey easily to Mum’s whim every time. It was getting old.

In the past, whenever we wanted to hide something from her, be it a wrong we had committed or anything, Mum usually found out from her prized, pumpkin goody two-shoes son, my twin.

I loved Mum, but Ace... he really was the son of her bosom, always acting like the last born when he wasn’t.

I sighed. "Her name is Valerie. Valerie Nightshade."

The smile dropped off her face.

Gone. Just like that.

Her eyes widened—pure shock—and she sat there frozen, her lips parted, her glass halfway to her mouth.

"Mum?" I asked, uncertain.

She didn’t answer right away because my mother—Queen of Lycans—was staring straight through us like she’d just seen a ghost.