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Chapter 21
~Valerie’s POV~
The girls’ changing room was buzzing with chatter as students swapped out their sportswear for their regular uniforms. I had barely finished adjusting my shirt when I caught movent from the corner of my eye.
Four girls approached with determined strides and their expressions did them no justice. I tensed slightly, preparing for another round of high school pettiness. The tallest of the group, a girl with fiery auburn hair and striking hazel eyes, smirked. "That was badass what you did to Brielle earlier."
The others grinned, nodding in agreent.
I sighed. To my surprise, the girls didn’t look hostile anymore after they finally approached .
If there was anything, they seed to relax in my presence, and I did so, too. Although, I kept my guard up.
"I swear, the way she slipped and fell on that dispenser? Iconic," another girl, a petite blonde with dimples, added with a laugh.
The third girl, who had sleek black hair and an almost cat-like gaze, leaned against a locker. "Honestly, soone needed to put her in her place, if you ask . The entire school’s been waiting for it."
I blinked, montarily caught off guard. They... approved of what I did?
The auburn-haired girl crossed her arms. "I’m Ava, by the way. And if you really want to put Brielle in her place, you should join the school’s senior volleyball club."
Suddenly, the air shifted and Astra starred within .
The other girls hesitated, and one of them shot Ava a look. "Ava..." she whispered like she was warning her against sothing.
Ava only smirked. "What? It’s a good idea. She was a top-tier player in her last school. I did my research."
I narrowed my eyes. "You did a what?"
Ava shrugged. "A brief check. You stood out in combat class, so I got curious."
"You investigated ?" I was shocked out of my shell. If I expected anyone to do that, it would be the alpha princes and not her.
Although I was thankful, Uncle let attend that school before I ca to PSA, even though it was a covert operation to find out information on the Nightshade Emblem.
Other than that, I had been hoschooled for most of my life, having the best teachers tutor but is Ava had snooped, what did she find out, and how deeply did she go?
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Not in a creepy way," Ava assured quickly. "I just checked records, that’s all."
I stared at her for a mont before scoffing. "And?"
"And you’re damn good at volleyball. Tryouts are in two days. You should sign up."
Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Isla and Erald stepped inside. The other girls imdiately took that as their cue to leave when Isla and Erald walked towards .
Ava gave one last grin. "Think about it," she said before turning on her heel and leading her friends out.
I watched them go, still processing everything, when Erald’s voice snapped out of my thoughts.
"Way to go, Val. Looks like you’re making friends now," she teased.
I huffed, closing my locker. "Don’t jinx it."
Erald smirked. "So... are you signing up?"
I hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. You want to give it a try, too?"
Erald instantly lifted her hands. "I’ve got enough on my plate as it stands. But Isla and Astraea..." She made a gesture by pressing her thumb and index fingers together, then winked at .
I imdiately turned to face Isla.
Isla arched a brow. "? Join volleyball?"
Erald nudged her. "You never join any sports clubs, and yet you’re good at them. You’re a natural," she praised.
Isla rolled her eyes. "Not interested."
"Oh, co on," I nudged her this ti. "It’ll be fun."
Isla sighed, then gave a look. "Fine. But only because you’re new."
"Great! Let’s go sign up together!"
Before we could leave, a sudden burst of cheering echoed from outside the changing room.
The door swung open, and a group of students ran past, their voices high-pitched and overly enthusiastic.
We turned just in ti to see Brielle and her cheer squad storm out onto the field, chanting and hyping up the soccer team.
I winced and clamped my hands over my ears. "Goddess, what a pain in the ass."
"Oh, you should expect that more often," Astraea said as she walked up, swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"aning?"
"It’s a new session, and the football season will approach soon," Erald answered for her.
"This school’s leading sport is soccer. We’ve won every interkingdom cup and international championship for years. And that’s all thanks to..."
"The Alpha Kings’ heirs," I finished dryly.
"Yup," Astraea grinned. Part of knew she had a thing for the heirs like their fan girls, but who could bla her when they all looked devilishly handso, it could ruin a girl’s life by simply loving them and none other.
"Shit! Focus, Valerie, don’t do that," I scolded myself internally. I shook the thought away and smiled.
"Why? Astra’s voice echoed in my head. "They are yours anyway. It would be a waste not thinking of them or admiring them. Better still, let’s chase them."
"Not happening!" I blurted out before I realised it. I smiled. "My wolf." And they nodded.
"Lucky them." I puffed out air and turned towards the door. "Anyway—"
"Relax, Val." Isla suddenly patted my shoulder, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "I know you and my cousin got off on the wrong foot, but if you really got to know him, I bet you’d fall for him."
I choked on air and started slamming my fist against my chest before pivoting to look at Isla. She had that serious, knowing look on her face.
I gestured with my eyes, silently warning ehr not to say anything when Erald scoffed behind . "Doubt it. I think she has more chemistry with Kai."
"Kai?" Isla raised a brow. "Oh, please."
Erald shrugged. "Given that they seem hell-bent on killing each other. I an, if you take combat class into consideration."
"Well, there’s that," Astraea mused, "but I believe Axel or Xade would be more fitting." She flipped her hair dramatically. "How the hell could she evade the cocky seducer, Axel’s flirtatious charm and Xade’s wits? Those two are irresistible."
"No."
The three girls turned to .
I deadpanned. "We’re not doing this."
They ignored completely.
"Well, I still vote for my cousin. He has the best cold charm ever."
"Exactly, not all girls would want that."
"Yeah, but let’s be real—Xade’s wild card personality makes things interesting," Astraea argued.
"No way," Erald said, crossing her arms. "Kai’s dominance matches Valerie’s temper. The tension is already there."
Valerie. That was my na. Yet here I was, listening to them argue over my future love life with my mates like I wasn’t standing right in front of them.
I let out a long, exhausted sigh and tuned them out. I was glad that at least Astraea and Erald didn’t know I was mated to all four of them.
But with their possessive, dominant personalities? There was no way I’d be able to hide being mates with them forever.
"Sooner or later soone’s going to find out," Astra cooed.
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