My Alphas' Dark Desires - Chapter 354

Chapter 354: Terrible at Apologies
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CHAPTER 354

~Valerie’s POV~

Ace chuckled softly as he moved closer, cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

The hall hummed around us, students glancing, whispering, but his mouth was warm and familiar.

From what I realised, he was a PDA person, but even if he wasn’t, the way my other mates claimed me only fuelled the jealousy to do the same.

I kissed him back, realising how much I must have missed him in the past few days.

When we pulled back, Ace winked and smirked. “If I knew you missed me so much, I would have stolen you with me on my trip.”

I swatted his arm, unable to hide the smile. “You would’ve gotten us both expelled.” My voice was breathy.

He shrugged, but his soft eyes did a number on me. “Worth it.” He tucked a stray curl behind my ear as if he could smooth out the worry I hadn’t let show.

A sharp prickle threaded my spine. “Ace—” I started, then stopped.

Deep within, I wasn’t wishing I had followed him. I knew it would be hard coming face-to-face with the Lycan King, even though I had met his Queen.

People who knew my mother better, I tried to avoid meeting them as much as possible.

Besides, would I have been better monitored by Nightshade?

I shuddered at the thought, and feeling of being monitored. But just then it struck in my mind.

Had they seen me using my powers? Was that why I got it? Were they the ones I sensed watching me?

Ace must have noticed how tense I was. He leaned closer, inspecting my face. “Are you okay?”

I pulled back and nodded. Then inhaled. “Yeah.”

He watched me, brow dipping. “Talk to me. What’s wrong, Val? You’re tense.”

I swallowed. “It’s… nothing.” I forced a laugh that tasted thin. “Just been a busy few days. Come, let’s go to class.”

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Classes went on smoothly.

As Ace had warned me, the senior year resumed with drills and training, sharpening everyone in preparation for the Alpha Games.

My body still buzzed with the ache of exercise, but at least the lessons afterwards gave me time to breathe.

When the final bell rang, the hallways flooded with chatter and the slam of lockers. I spotted Xade leaning against the wall outside my classroom, his broad frame impossible to miss.

His eyes tracked me the moment I stepped out.

So, he wasn’t avoiding me anymore. Not like he seemed to want to.

I approached, and he straightened. “Hey,” he greeted, rubbing the back of his neck, revealing part of his tattoo from his rolled-up sleeve.

Even that small gesture somehow managed to look unfairly attractive.

“Hi,” I replied cautiously.

“Walk with me?” He motioned toward a quieter corner by the lockers.

I followed, the air between us taut. When we stopped, he exhaled heavily. “Valerie, I need to say this. I’m sorry. For what I did by eating you out those nights.”

Heat climbed my cheeks instantly. “Xade…”

He held up a hand. “Let me finish. “I’m not sorry it happened,” he said bluntly, scratching the back of his neck like he wanted to disappear but couldn’t. “I mean, I enjoyed every damn second of my morning protein. Best way to start my day. It was totally worth it watching you writhe while burying my face between your legs.”

I was speechless. I saw a different side to Xade. He was naughty to the core and very proud of it, more like proud of making me cum.

“And I made my mate cum, so no regrets there. But…” His voice dropped. “I’m sorry for how I went about it.”

I blinked at him, half horrified, half-flustered. “You…”

He pushed on, words tumbling out. “I never planned it that way. When I saw you didn’t recall what happened, I thought I’d tease you a little. But then you couldn’t distinguish your dreams. And I—” he groaned, dragging a hand through his hair, “I couldn’t stop myself. No excuse, I know. I just… wanted you.”

The way he said it made my stomach twist, and not just in embarrassment.

He glanced at me, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I knew I wouldn’t get a proper chance until our turn to date. So I came anyway, reckless as hell for one more round, and got caught.”

I facepalmed, then pinched the bridge of my nose, mortified. “You’re terrible at apologies.”

His lips curved in a sheepish smile. “I’m making it worse, huh?”

“Much worse,” I muttered.

“I know.” He winced. “I don’t want to justify it, but I also don’t want to downplay it. Being with you like that… it was one of the best things I’ve ever had. And I ruined it by making it seem reckless.”

His words tumbled out fast, messy, and heartfelt.

I finally reached up and pressed a finger to his lips. “Stop before you dig a deeper hole. I forgive you.”

His eyes softened, relief flashing across his face and shoulders instantly, like he’d been holding his breath for days.

But I wasn’t finished. I dropped my hand and fixed him with a look. “Now,” I continued, “I heard your talk with your brother yesterday. Care to explain?”

The shift was immediate. His jaw tightened. His eyes darted away, gaze fixed on the floor tiles, refusing to meet mine. Silence thickened between us, every second stretching heavier than the last.

I folded my arms, waiting. “Well?”

Before he could answer, a group of girls passed nearby, their voices sharp with gossip.

“Oh no,” one of them exclaimed.

“What is the matter?”

“The school’s gossip site. Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“Marianne. From Class 2. She got hospitalised.”

My head snapped up. Marianne?

“Why?” another asked, breathless.

“They said she was hypnotised or something. Someone messed with her mind. Now she’s in a coma—her brain fried.”

“Oh my Goddess. I hope they catch whoever did it.”

“Yeah. Word is, two white witches are flying in today to heal her and track the culprit.”

Their voices faded as they disappeared down the hall, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.

I turned sharply to Xade. This time, he wasn’t avoiding me. Our eyes locked, both of us reading the same answer in the other’s expression.

“Dristan,” we said in unison.

My pulse thundered in my ears. If he had done this… then things were about to spiral faster than any of us could control.

Xade swore under his breath, dragging a hand through his hair. “Oh shit.”