****************
Chapter 333
~Valerie’s POV~
Queen Aurora nodded knowingly. "His heart’s too emotional for his own good. He builds walls, wears that cold, stoic mask of his, all so he won’t get hurt. Ace, though..."
She sighed fondly.
"Ace is more balanced emotionally. Still mischievous, still stubborn, but steadier. Between the two of them, I know my fragile babies better than anyone."
I chuckled lightly, trying to ease the sudden heaviness in the air. "They don’t exactly look fragile when they’re out there causing chaos."
She laughed softly this time, shaking her head. "Exactly why I call them naughty."
I hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been pricking the back of my mind. "You’re... not shocked they’re both mated to one girl?"
Queen Aurora smiled knowingly, leaning back comfortably. "Not even a little. Honestly? I kind of expected it."
My brows furrowed. "You... did?"
"They’ve always shared things," she said with a shrug. "Same hobbies, similar toys, even the same friends growing up. Once, they even dated the same girl. I don’t know how that happened though."
Her smile turned wry, and I exhaled, waiting for the bomb. "But she turned out to be a gold-digging bimbo after their royal titles."
"Oh," I murmured, unsure how to respond.
Her expression softened again, and her hand reached over to rest gently on mine.
"But you’re not like that. I see you, Valerie. And so does the Moon Goddess. She blessed you with six royal mates." Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "You, my dear, are very lucky."
My shoulders slouched a little at that. I felt the weight of it pressing down on me.
Aurora noticed instantly and patted my hand warmly. "I know it must feel heavy, love. But matebond or not, my sons adore you."
I bit my lip, hesitating before asking softly, "How sure are you?"
She leaned back again, and when she glanced at my side, I noticed an amused glint in her eyes.
"Because they’ve never, not once, brought a girl into their personal mansion."
I froze at that, heat rushing to my cheeks when I remembered Ace had... and somehow, she knew about that.
Queen Aurora smirked faintly, clearly catching my expression. "I knew," she teased gently. "And if Ash’s estate wasn’t so far, I suspect he’d have done the same."
I struggled to find words after that revelation, so I latched onto a safer question. "Do you... want me to choose one of them?"
Her brows shot up, and then she laughed again. "Oh, no, sweetheart. The heart chooses what it wants."
She squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"I’m just here to make sure no one hurts you while you figure it out. You have six mates, Valerie. Asking you to choose one would be cruel... and besides, your wolf needs them all."
That surprised me more than anything else she’d said so far. I expected her to be intimidating, but instead, she felt... motherly.
Queen Aurora tilted her head, studying me closely. "You’re stressed," she said softly, almost like she was scolding me. "Carrying so much on those tiny shoulders of yours. But you’re not alone anymore, Valerie. Remember that."
Her words made my chest ache in a way I couldn’t explain.
For the first time since stepping into the car, I let out a slow breath, tension easing from my body bit by bit.
Aurora’s smile spilled into her eyes, clearly pleased. "Good. That’s better."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Alphas' Dark Desires