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Chapter 39
~Valerie’s POV~
The morning sun slipped lazily through the blinds, casting thin lines of gold across the dorm floor.
I stretched with a yawn, grabbed my coffee cup from the kitchen counter, and took one last sip before placing it in the dishwasher. The caffeine had barely kicked in, but I was already on edge.
Just as I turned on the tap to rinse it, I heard the creak of the room doors and footsteps.
"Val!" Isla’s voice floated in.
Erald followed close behind, calling out, "Astraea, you ready?" She knocked once on Astraea’s door, but silence answered.
"Huh. Maybe she left early," Erald said with a shrug.
Isla smiled my way. "Hope you enjoyed your jog?"
I gave a lazy nod, trying not to look suspicious and knowing yesterday was not about any jog. "Yeah."
"I was surprised you ca back a bit early," Isla added.
"Yeah, felt a bit lightheaded, so I decided to call it a night," I lied.
"Oh, I’m sorry. You have to be careful next ti."
I nodded but then I shoved my hand into the pocket of my uniform and froze. My fingers brushed against paper. Crisp. Folded. My stomach dropped.
The letter.
I had completely forgotten about what my cousin did yesterday—the anonymous note with my full na that I didn’t ask for.
"Val?" Isla’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.
"Uh... I forgot sothing," I said quickly. "In my room. You girls can go. I’ll catch up with you."
Erald and Isla exchanged confused glances. I could tell they were curious but didn’t push it.
"You better hurry," Erald chid in. "There was a notice on the group chat. Principal wants to address us before the first training begins with our Guild Leaders."
"Aye, remind about that," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Dristan again.
"Co on, we know Dristan isn’t that bad," Isla teased. "My cousin is just fun with extra snark."
"Yeah, yeah. Sadly for him, I refuse to avail myself for his entertainnt anymore," I said, waving them off as they headed out.
"Good call." Once the door clicked shut behind them, I pulled the paper from my pocket and unfolded it.
My na stared back at .
Sa sleek handwriting. Sa eerie calm in the way it was phrased.
I didn’t read it again. I sure as hell didn’t need to. The mont I saw my na—Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow—I rembered every word. Every warning. Every gut-punch of uncertainty.
I crumpled the paper in my palm and walked straight to the kitchen.
Quickly, I flicked on the gas burner and lit a small fla. There was no hesitation in my handling. If anyone had seen , it’ll be like I had done this quite a lot in the past. No hesitation.
I held the paper over it, watching the edges curl, blacken, and turn to ash. Just before it reached my fingers, I blew it out, letting the last corner smolder.
With a flick of my foot, I opened the dustbin and dumped the charred remains inside. I dusted my hands together, like brushing away a mory I refused to carry.
"That’s done. For now"
I left the dorm in a rush, zipping up my hoodie, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
When I reached the main school building, I spotted Isla and Erald just entering through the tall front doors.
"Shit," I muttered and broke into a jog. "Gotta catch up."
I didn’t want to be late—especially not today. Whatever announcent the Principal had cooked up probably mattered. And if training with Dristan was next, I needed my head clear.
I cut through the east wing—a shortcut I rarely took. But I needed to catch up with the girls. Drop my back and prepare. I wouldn’t let Dristan make an example of .
My number one strategy was to try and keep quiet and let my actions lead if it ca down to anything.
Other than that, I was focused on the task at hand.
Trainings were ridiculously dangerous, and passing PSA was a must, aning that this was a done deal.
That’s when I heard their voices. Four familiar voices that seed to make my wolf go crazy.
I stopped cold in my tracks.
My eyes darted in search of my next escape. "No," I whispered. "Not now."
Astra stirred inside , like she’d heard it too. Her pulse laced with mine, quickly.
The Alpha Kings. All of them were heading in my direction.
"Fuck!"
I pivoted instantly, walking the other direction fast.
Don’t look back. Just go.
"Hey... is that not Valerie Nightshade?" Kai’s voice carried, casual but way too loud for my liking. There was no way they wouldn’t spot . My scent was attractive to them—my mates.
Shit. Walk faster.
"Valerie!" Axel’s voice hit next, sharper.
I turned a corner sharply to lose them, only for to crash straight into sothing hard and or soone.
I fell backwards and almost hit the floor as a surprised gasp slipped from my lips, but strong arms caught just in ti, one arm securing my back and the other steadying my waist.
"Ouch!"
My breath caught, and everything stopped.
A strange sweet scent assailed my nostrils, making my head spin. Clean rain, pine, and sothing ancient—like fire in winter. I blinked up, eyes eting his.
Piercing, hazel-green, curiously calm eyes stared into my eyes with so much intrigue and uniqueness. A handso, dark-brown-haired guy looked down at with a stunned expression.
Before I could even think, Astra’s voice exploded in my mind.
"Mate."
I flinched.
No. Not now. Not another one.
I didn’t say it aloud, but he did. The guy stared straight at and muttered the sa word.
"Mate."
But this ti, it wasn’t just him. It wasn’t just one voice I heard and that terrified straight in my bones.
Two voices echoed the word at the sa ti—his and another.
My body stiffened.
I blinked again, my lips slightly parted. He was still holding , like he was just as stunned. And deep inside , Astra accepted it.
Which ant this wasn’t a mistake. This was real.
"Oh God."
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