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Chapter 351
~Xade’s POV~
Rather than return to the Alphas’ House, I went back ho on account of a summons from my father.
But the truth was that I was trying so hard to avoid my co-heirs after what happened that day and my reveal.
I knew Dristan was angry, but he did not have the right to be after he and Kai hugged Valerie to themselves literally.
I know what I did to Valerie was wrong, making her think of herself that way, but it was never my intention.
The first ti it happened, I never expected her to ask if it happened. I thought she knew it was real.
All I wanted was to help quench her heat. And I guess having mor emates, made it prolong into days.
So, I decided to help relieve her secretly.
But now that I thought about it, I realised it made look like a creep. I couldn’t face Valerie after that and just evaded school for at least two days.
Sadly, I had to put up with my little brother, Xerres. Luckily, dad was away on travel, leaving Mum to rule in his stead and that ant, no reminder of the betrothal topic.
Although I had a few things to report to him seeing as an assassination attempt was carried on on school premises.
I sighed, my shoulders slouching as I dropped my own after writing the last sentence of my report.
My eyelids fluttered shut for a mont but all I could think of was Valerie’s face when she found out what I did.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself sane, seeing as my wolf chose that mont to frustrate my ntal state.
"I warned you, didn’t I?" Xaren voiced like a concerned friend.
"Did you? Or did you enjoy making our mate cum every ti?"
"Both."
I rolled my eyes at him. He wasn’t seriously trying to bla when he encouraged to do so.
Tsk.
Shutting him out, I rose from my seat and picked up my phone.
I hadn’t called Valerie, but I knew fully well that she may not want to speak to , which was why I gave her space.
Until now.
My fingers hovered over the call icon on my phone screen as I internally debated whether to place the call or not.
Just before I could answer, the door to my room burst open, and my brother walked casually inside like he owned the space.
My thumb slipped before I could change my mind, tapping the call icon. I didn’t even notice as the line connected, because my door slamd open right then.
"Bro," Xerres said, strolling in like he owned the place. "You look like hell."
"I’m fine." My voice ca out tighter than I wanted.
But when he stalked a little closer, I snapped, "Do you ever knock, Xerres?" I snapped, sliding my phone face down on the desk, here.
"Knocking is for strangers." He stopped in front of , snickered and headed for my bed. He plopped himself on my bed like it was his own, folding his arms behind his head like he had all the ti in the world. "You’re brooding again. Is it about her?"
I stiffened. "Valerie."
"Of course." He smirked, then tilted his head. "And the betrothal talk. You’ve been avoiding it."
"There is no betrothal," I snapped. My jaw clenched, voice like steel. "Not for . Not for the others. We’ve all said it. We won’t take another mate aside from Valerie."
Xerres sat up at that, a small clap echoing in my room. "Well said, big bro. Strong resolve. I admire it. Spoken like a stubborn Alpha-to-be." His eyes glinted knowingly. "But I think you’ve forgotten sothing. Father never plays only one card. He always has more than one alliance lined up."
I narrowed my eyes. "What are you getting at?"
He leaned forward, voice dropping almost to a whisper. "Alpha Ray’s daughter. Rhina. You rember her, don’t you? She’s already being paraded at court. Father thinks once the mating season hits, the Moon Goddess might ’correct her mistake’ and give you a new mate."
The words slamd into harder than a blade to the chest. Xaren roared inside . Rage lit every nerve.
My blood boiled. Heat surged through and before I could think, my hand ca down against the desk with a crack, the wood splintering beneath the force.
"Neither Valerie nor I are a mistake!" My voice thundered through the room, vibrating the walls. "She is mine, and I am hers. My mate and I are ant for each other. I will never—never—take another."
Xerres flinched at my outburst but didn’t back down. He lifted his hands slowly, palms up. "Forgive , big bro. That wasn’t mockery. I’m only warning you. Be prepared. Because if Father pushes Rhina into your path... and if the Alpha Kings refuse to back down..."
He trailed off, his expression finally serious.
I exhaled sharply, trying to rein in my wolf before I tore the room apart. My phone buzzed faintly on the desk, the screen still glowing. I turned it to face to see the notification.
"What the..."
It was only then I noticed the active call tir.
And the na flashing across it.
Valerie.
—
I ended the call faster than Xerres could inquire what was going on. That evening I left ho and ca back.
When I returned to the Alphs’ House, I t them all in the living room, busy with one thing or another.
The second they lifted their gaze to , sothing dark flickered in their eyes—anger, possessiveness, jealousy...
"He’s back," Dristan blurted.
"Yeah. Who knows what else he is hiding from us?" Kai added.
"Not cool, bro," Axel muttered as he stood from where he sat. He gave one more glance before walking away upstairs.
"Guys," I called out, making Axel stop by the staircase, but he did not turn.
"What now? You want to justify what you did again?" Kai questioned sharply.
I expected that from him, given that he was the most possessive of us heirs. Even Dristan was learning when it ca to Kai’s possessiveness.
He just surprisingly held back when Valerie was involved. Why? Maybe he learnt, but who knew?
"I’m sorry."
The words tasted bitter but freeing. Silence enveloped the room as though a beast just walked in and did the most unimaginable thing possible—dance. I swore I heard the clock ticking in the hall.
Axel turned, his brows shot up. "You? Apologising?"
Kai’s lips parted, then curled into a half-scoff. "Well, hell froze over."
Dristan tilted his head, eyes narrowing, like he was testing if I was serious. "Say it again."
"I’m sorry," I repeated, firr this ti. "For making her doubt herself. For sneaking behind your backs. For everything."
The silence cracked when Dristan let out a sharp breath as he leaned back on the couch. "Damn. Didn’t think you’d admit it."
Kai crossed his arms. "You pissed off, Xade. But..." he shifted uncomfortably, "...we’d be hypocrites to stay mad forever. We’ve all crossed lines with her. All of us."
"Not ," Axel cut in, voice flat as stone. He still stood halfway up the stairs, arms folded. "I’ve never touched her like that. You all forget—she probably thinks I’ve been keeping my distance for a reason."
Dristan arched a brow. "You sure you want to play the saint card, Axel? What about the twins?"
Axel’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t deny it. "That’s different. I never—"
Kai’s smirk turned sly. "And who knows about Ace and Ash, huh? He took her on a date. Who’s to say he didn’t—"
"Don’t," Dristan cut him off sharply. He leaned forward, the edge in his tone enough to shut us all up. "Don’t speak about her that way. She’s not a prize we asure against each other. She’s our mate."
That reminder cut deeper than any insult. Kai clenched his jaw but didn’t argue. Even Axel descended the last two steps and moved closer.
I swallowed hard. "So... do you accept my apology or not?"
For a mont, no one answered. Then Kai rose first, groaned as he stepped across the space, and smacked hard on the back before dragging into a rough, brotherly headlock. "You’re still an ass, but you’re our ass. Don’t screw it up again."
And then he pulled in for a brotherly hug.
Dristan gave a curt nod before gripping my shoulder firmly. "We forgive you. But words aren’t enough. Actions matter."
Axel hesitated longest, then stepped forward and bumped my fist with his. "One chance. Don’t waste it."
For a mont, the tension broke. The three of them pulled into a ss of shoves, curses, and laughter like we used to do.
But the mood didn’t last long. Dristan straightened, and the seriousness returned to his face.
"Now that that’s settled, listen carefully. I spoke with Principal Whitmore earlier. She’s increasing our training. Stricter hours, harder tests and the mock exam for the Alphas’ Ga would begin in the second sester, as you all know. So no excuses."
Axel groaned. "Fantastic. Just what I needed."
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