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Chapter 174
~Titania’s POV~
"Dig deep into Valerie Nightshade’s past, all about her, everything. The one she so desperately wants to keep buried. I doubt she’s a re oga like people claim. And... she’s just too good in training. There must be sothing."
A slow, delighted grin began to spread across Marianne’s lips as she caught the aning.
"And find everything," I said, stepping toward her again. "The dirt. The darkness. The secrets. The lies. I want every skeleton her family tried to burn and bury."
"She’ll be ruined," Marianne promised.
"I don’t want her ruined," I corrected smoothly. "I want her shattered. I want people to look at her na and spit. I want her mates to be so disgusted that they reject her themselves. I want Principal Whitmore to regret ever enrolling her."
"As you wish... Princess."
I turned my back to her, arms crossed behind as I stared at the glowing city beyond the glass.
"Good," I whispered. "Now leave ."
And Marianne did—silently, quickly, like a shadow scurrying back into the night.
Valerie had no idea what was coming next.
Let her wear her smile for now. I would be the one to wipe it from her face forever.
Just then, I got a ping from my phone. I glanced at it in my hand... It was a ssage from my dearest cousin.
Just who I need right now.
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~Lucy’s POV~
The cafeteria was lively—too lively for my taste. Forks clinked against trays, laughter rose in pockets, and the stench of over-sweetened iced tea mixed with atloaf nearly made gag.
Kieran, however, sat across from with his usual regal boredom, half-stirring the untouched food on his plate. He hadn’t spoken a word since we walked in, but I knew better than to assu he was distracted.
He was calculating.
Always.
I followed his gaze, knowing it would lead to her before my eyes even landed.
Valerie Nightshade.
Of course.
She had just walked in, hair tied in that annoyingly effortless way, cheeks flushed from whatever ridiculous errand she had been running. And—because the universe enjoyed mocking —she was laughing.
Laughing.
With Silver Aura, of all people—her fellow newbie.
I saw the tension flicker across Kieran’s jaw first, then his fingers slowly curled around the edge of the table before he leaned back, exuding lazy power, and tilted his head toward .
"Have so roses sent to Valerie," he instructed
I blinked. "Pardon?"
He didn’t look at . Just continued watching her. "Red ones. Not cheap. The best kind. I want to court her."
For a second, I didn’t move.
Then my voice slipped out before I could catch it. "Kieran... why her? You know what she’s entangled in. Why would you go to such lengths when her mates—"
He turned his head slowly. His stare was ice over fire.
One word... Deadly.
I shut up imdiately.
My throat tightened as I lowered my gaze and forced a nod. "Understood, Master."
With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone and tapped the order in. Lovely, imported roses to be delivered before the end of the school day. Each petal laced just as he preferred.
"It’ll be here by the seventh bell," I whispered.
Kieran stood up then, eyes still locked on his target. "Good," he said simply, then turned and walked away confidently like a man already owning the future.
I stayed seated.
I couldn’t breathe.
Not when I was helping him chase the one girl who never looked his way. The one girl who, even now, had everything I wanted—and didn’t even seem to care.
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The flowers arrived precisely when expected.
A pristine white box, sealed in gold ribbon as I carried it through the hallway. Everyone stared. Of course they did. They always stared when it ca to Kieran Killian or his maid running errands for him.
I found her just outside the study wing. Valerie was pulling a book from her locker, Silver trailing a few steps behind, clearly mid-conversation.
Perfect.
"Valerie," I called.
She turned. The mont her eyes landed on , her posture tensed.
I walked over and offered the box. "From Master Kieran."
She looked down at it, then back at without being courteous enough to accept them.
It irritated . This was a girl Kieran had finally had interest in since the girl who broke his heart. If only she knew how so many would be overjoyed to be in her position.
But then she had the alpha heirs for mates. Still, I had no idea why the thought of letting her go irked Kieran so much.
Wasn’t she nothing more than his new plaything?
Valerie lifted her gaze to et mine and in the flat cold voice one could use when offered roses, she said, "No."
I blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Excuse ?"
"I said no," she repeated, clearly annoyed. "Take them back."
My fingers tightened on the edge of the box.
Ungrateful. Spoiled. Stupid girl.
I shoved the roses into her locker shelf, let them fall beside her books.
"You should learn to appreciate what’s given to you," I hissed, unable to mask the venom anymore. "Kieran’s done more for you than you even realise, even more than your so-called mates. And yet..."
She raised a brow. I scowled. "You’re not worth it."
And I turned on my heel, muttering a curse under my breath, as I stord off, not wanting to be anywhere near her.
I also needed to report to Master Kieran.
Luckily, I saw him leave a classroom and as soon as he spotted , he turned in my direction, his brows creased.
I stopped in front of him, ready to report back, but I clearly didn’t get far when the sound of footsteps behind was fast. Aggressive. Valerie caught up before we walked away.
"Kieran!" she barked, and my stomach dropped.
Oh no.
I turned just in ti to see her shove the flower box into his chest, hard enough that the petals fluttered between them.
"What the hell is this?" she snapped.
Kieran blinked at her, slowly, like he had been waiting for this exact mont. "A gift," he said smoothly.
"From soone I didn’t ask anything from," Valerie snapped back.
He didn’t seem fazed.
"That’s why it’s a gift, genius. Besides, if I only gave what was asked," he murmured, stepping closer, "then where would the fun be in my love pursuit?"
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