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Chapter 10
~Axel's POV~
I had planned to ignore Valerie's detention.
After all, it wasn't my problem. She was the one who snapped in class, not . But Acer, my wolf, had been nagging nonstop the entire damn ti.
"You got our mate in trouble."
"You embarrassed her."
"Fix this, idiot."
I groaned, rubbing my temples. Since when did my wolf care so much? I knew why I had ssed with Valerie earlier. I was frustrated.
Ever since we found out she was our mate, none of us had really talked about it. We just... avoided the subject altogether.
But that morning, when she almost beat in combat class?
It got under my skin.
No one—noone—had ever bested except the other three Alpha Princes. Even then, it was always a close fight, which I won most of the ti.
But her?
She ca out of nowhere, a complete mystery, and sohow, she fought like she'd been training her entire life. I knew I went easy on her, not using my powers and all but still.
And maybe... she had.
A part of wondered if she was using so kind of magic—witchery, or maybe a trick—but another part? Another part of was just plain intrigued by her wits and strength.
I wanted to figure her out. To understand what made her tick. Which was why I had acted like a complete dumbass in class.
At first, I had just wanted to get her attention. She wasn't even looking at . So I nudged her chair lightly.
Nothing.
Waved a pen at her. Still nothing. Valerie Nightshade ignored completely.
It annoyed more than it should have. So I tried poking her with the water bottle. Unfortunately, the damn thing wasn't fully closed.
And boom—water all over her skirt.
She had glared at like she was deciding whether to stab or set on fire. I had tried to play it off as a mistake.
But I wasn't convincing enough—probably because of the smirk I failed to hide. And now?
Now she waspissed and in detention, and Acer wouldn't shut up about it.
So here I was, heading into the classroom because, apparently, I was a sucker for punishnt.
***************~Detention – Valerie's POV~
I had exactly one goal in detention.
Ignore everyone. Get through the next hour. Move on with my life, especially if it ant finding that bastard.
But then—he walked in.
Axel fucking Zeno.
He strolled into the classroom, hands in his pockets, his red hair perfectly ssy, and that damn cocky smirk on his face.
I glared imdiately.
"Sit sowhere else," I mouthed, knowing he ca for .
He ignored completely and slid into the seat beside like he belonged there.
"Good evening, sweetheart."
I exhaled sharply, turning my focus back to my phone, pretending he didn't exist.
"I'll fix it," I hear him mutter. I could bet he was probably talking to his wolf.
"Hmm. He's in support of you. I can feel it." I shut Astra up, not wanting the disturbance.
Axel sighed, slumping into his seat, but I wasn't even acknowledging him. And that bothered him more than it should have.
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~Axel's POV~
Acer wasn't letting this go.
"Apologize," he chided .
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered internally before sneaking a glance at her.
She was typing away on her phone, her fingers moving fast while a textbook was opened in front of her desk. Valerie wasn't reading. Well, I couldn't bla her either.
Sothing about the way she completely shut out irritated .
I wasn't used to being ignored.
And I sure as hell wasn't used to my mate ignoring .
"Working on sothing important?" I asked, tilting my head to peek at her screen.
She angled the phone away instantly.
I grinned. "Is that a secret, sweetheart?"
She growled lowly. However, before she could snap, the lecturer cleared her throat. "Silence, Miss Nightshade."
Valerie rolled her eyes but obeyed. I, on the other hand, unleashed a fraction of my Alpha aura. Not enough to cause panic—just enough to remind the lecturer exactly who I was.
Her gaze flickered to mine, and she swallowed.
My eyes flashed red, and the lecturer looked away imdiately. But from her shocked reaction just now, I was sure they had shown blue. She focused on her book rather than on us.
Valerie was shocked.
Her eyebrows furrowed like she couldn't understand why I just did that.
I leaned closer, my voice dropping. "Are you going to hear out now, or should I keep pulling favours for you?"
Her jaw tightened. But finally, finally, she nodded.
I exhaled. Step one—complete.
Apologising wasn't exactly my thing.
But looking at Valerie now—actually looking at her—I realized I might have taken things too far.
Acer was right. I exhaled.
"Look... about earlier."
Valerie crossed her arms. "I'm listening."
Damn. She was really going to make say it, huh? "I might have gone too far."
Valerie blinked. "Is that an apology?"
I groaned. "Yes, okay? I... I'm sorry."
Valerie raised an eyebrow. "That sounded painful for you."
"It was," I muttered.
She stared at for a mont before she sighed, shaking her head.
"Well, at least you're self-aware."
A beat of silence stretched between us. I suddenly felt lighter, like a strange weight had been lifted from my chest. And before I could second guess myself, I stood up and reached for her hand.
"Co on," I said.
Valerie frowned. "What?"
I tugged gently. "Let's go. I'll make this right."
She pulled back imdiately. "And where do you think we're going?"
Before I could answer, the lecturer's voice cut through the air.
"And where do you two think you're going?"
Valerie tensed, but I smirked. I turned to the lecturer, flashing a charming smile.
"Miss Rose," I drawled, "you look stunning today. Really, there's sothing different about you. A glow, maybe?"
Her eyes widened slightly, and I knew I had her.
Valerie looked between us, completely stunned.
"You wouldn't mind letting take Valerie, would you? She's had a long day. Surely you can show so rcy? And her detention was all my fault. Surely you don't see how she should get punished, right?"
Miss Rose's face softened slightly. And then she nodded. "Yes. You are right."
"Good. Nor do you want to punish an Alpha Kings' heir." Miss Rose nodded while Valerie stared at like I had just perford actual magic.
"How—" she started, but I just winked.
She muttered sothing under her breath about 'spoiled brats getting everything their way', but I didn't care.
I just chuckled as we stepped outside.
Then my phone vibrated. I checked it to see a ssage from Dristan.
"eting room. Five minutes. Topic: Our mate."
I let out a slow exhale.
Ah. So the boys finally wanted to talk about it.
I turned back to Valerie, my grin sharpening. "Guess I'll see you later, sweetheart." Before she could respond, I leaned in close, dropping my voice to a lazy murmur. "I would say don't miss ... but we both know you will."
Her heart skipped a beat. I heard it. Her cheeks darkened slightly, but she recovered quickly.
Valerie smirked, lifting her chin. "You? Please. I'd miss a mosquito more."
Then, before I could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving grinning to myself.
"Oh, this was going to be fun."
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