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Chapter 79
~Valerie’s POV~
The morning sun filtered weakly through the sheer curtains, casting long slivers of light across my bed.
I blinked awake slowly, my body protesting every movent with dull aches.
Every bruise from the forest fight, every scrape from the escape, every emotional scar from the past twenty-four hours—they all pulsed just beneath my skin.
I sat up, rubbing my temples, feeling the weight of everything settle back onto my shoulders.
Xade’s kiss.
Dristan’s kiss.
I heaved a deep sigh as the mories ca rushing back—his hands on my face, the desperate heat of Dristan’s mouth against mine, and then Xade’s grip on my wrist, his mouth crashing onto mine like he couldn’t help himself.
My chest squeezed painfully at the mory. I shook my head, forcing myself out of bed.
Focus, Valerie. Focus.
I was at PSA for a reason.
I had bigger problems than a few unexpected kisses... and feelings I had no idea how to deal with.
I went through my morning routine on autopilot, pulling on a fitted black turtleneck and dark leather trousers before quickly braiding my hair back.
I glanced at the mirror, loving my look. Sothing practical. Simple. Easy to move in. Easy to breathe in.
I slung my bag over one shoulder and headed out, my boots clicking softly against the floor of the dorm hallway.
By the ti I reached the main building, the courtyard was already busy. Students moved in clusters, the usual morning chatter filling the air.
It almost felt normal—almost.
I made my way toward my locker, weaving through the crowd, nodding at a few familiar faces as I passed. My mind was already drifting toward Combat & Strategy class.
I needed to stay sharp. I needed to remain invisible. But the second I opened my locker, sothing slipped out.
A small, pristine white envelope landed softly at my feet.
I froze for a mont.
The noise around dulled, like cotton had been stuffed into my ears. For a second, I just stared at it, heart thudding painfully in my chest.
Slowly, I bent down and picked it up.
No na on the front. No markings. Just... an envelope.
My fingers shook slightly as I tore it open. Inside was a single piece of paper. And on it, in sharp, deliberate handwriting:
"I know who you really are, Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow—Southern Alpha King’s Heir."
The world tilted around , and my blood ran cold. I gripped the paper so tightly it crinkled under my fingers.
No. No. No.
Panic clawed at my chest, but I forced myself to stand up straighter. I scanned the hallway casually, like I was just another student looking for a friend.
But everyone around looked normal—laughing, walking, chatting, checking their phones.
No one looked like they had just delivered a death sentence into my hands. I swallowed hard, slipping the note into the front pocket of my jeans.
Think, Valerie. Think.
Was it a prank? I wondered.
The first thought that jumped into my mind was Storm, my cousin. He was reckless at tis, and he enjoyed teasing. Maybe he got wind of sothing and thought it would be funny to ss with .
I pulled out my phone with shaking hands and fired off a quick text.
Storm: If this is you ssing with , I swear I’ll kick your ass. Did you leave a note in my locker???
I stared at the ssage for a second before hitting send.
There was no imdiate response. Of course. He was probably still asleep, or sparring, or getting involved in another secret errand for Uncle sowhere.
I tucked my phone away and inhaled deeply.
I couldn’t afford to let this shake . Not right now. Not when I was already walking a tightrope between survival and exposure.
I pressed the locker shut, making sure the click didn’t sound too loud or too sharp. I adjusted my bag and made myself walk toward class.
One step at a ti. One breath at a ti.
"You’re fine," I chanted in my head as I walked towards class.
"You’re fine."
But even as I repeated it, my instincts scread otherwise. Because whoever left that note...
They didn’t just want to scare .
They wanted to know that I wasn’t invisible anymore. And soon, everyone else would know too.
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The walk to Combat & Strategy felt heavier than usual, like every step dragged invisible chains behind .
I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder, ignoring the way my fingers kept twitching toward my pocket—the letter hidden inside, burning against my skin like it had a heartbeat of its own.
I told myself to focus.
To breathe.
To act normal.
But the closer I got to class, the more the tightness in my chest grew.
Today, we were using the arena for our clas,s especially since the simulation do was affected.
Inside the arena, the walls lood tall, and the scent of sweat, leather, and faint magic hung in the air. Students were already gathering, stretching, and talking quietly in their groups.
I slid into the room as unnoticed as possible, keeping my head low and my expression carefully neutral.
But the second my foot crossed the sparring line, I felt it.
A gaze. Heavy. Hot. Tracking every step I made. I glanced up instinctively and locked eyes with Kai.
He stood at the edge of the arena, arms crossed over his broad chest, black training gear hugging his fra like a second skin.
I noticed that the other Alpha King’s heirs weren’t really here. Only Axel had attended the class today.
His jet-black hair was ssily tied back, and his erald green-gold eyes pinned in place with a single look.
I stopped breathing for half a second. Of all people, it had to be Kai.
"Partners today," our instructor, Professor Grayson, announced briskly, barely giving us ti to argue. "Kai and Valerie. Sparring ring three. Now."
My stomach twisted.
Of course. Because the universe clearly hated today.
I tightened the strap on my wrist guards and forced my feet forward. Kai waited without moving, his stance casual but deceptively relaxed.
I could feel his eyes scanning , assessing, reading.
And damn it, I hated how my pulse reacted, beating harder not from fear, but sothing far more inconvenient.
I stopped in front of him, keeping my face blank.
"You’re late," Kai said quietly.
"Got held up," I muttered, not eting his eyes.
He arched an eyebrow but said nothing more. Instead, he dropped into a defensive stance, nodding once for to do the sa.
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