My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Race

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Chapter 42

~Valerie’s POV~

I stood still among the sea of bodies, hands folded behind my back like every other senior cadet, but my mind? It wasn’t here. Not at all.

Principal Whitmore’s voice flowed like wind in my ears—loud but meaningless. Words about discipline, tradition, honour, and something training expectations... I didn’t catch half of it. I couldn’t care less.

Because the only thing on my mind right now was survival.

Not just physically—though, considering my mate drama, that was now a daily concern—but mentally, emotionally, and strategically.

Six mates. Six powerful, unpredictable, possessive males from different kingdoms, all tied to me like some cursed string of fate.

And now, four of them were here. One is already in my guild, the others were about to be.

I barely registered the murmuring crowd until Principal Whitmore’s voice shifted into something more... interesting.

"That will be all, students. Now, the four royals shall be split into the four guilds."

My eyes snapped up immediately as my heart thudded.

"As such," she continued, "there shall be a drawing of lots to determine which of these guilds they belong to."

Of course.

I bit the inside of my cheek the exact second I locked eyes with Ash across the field.

That stupid smirk pulled at the edge of his lips, and with the most arrogant expression I’d ever seen, he mouthed,"I’m coming for you."

I immediately looked away. Nope. Not today, Satan.

One of the instructors stepped forward with a small, eerie-looking red bowl in his hand. It shimmered oddly, glowing faintly with guild paper containing numbers inside, no doubt.

Titania stepped up first when Principal Whitmore called for her. She looked regal, calm and almost glowing. She dipped her hand inside, pulled a parchment, and unfolded it slowly.

"Guild Two," she announced with a soft smile.

It wasn’t mine, sadly. I would have hoped the little princess came here and, hopefully, had a crush on Dritsan to derail him from me.

Ashton was next. He walked with the lazy confidence of someone who didn’t need to try to be intimidating—he just was.

He reached in, rolled the parchment between two fingers, then grinned as he read aloud, "Guild One."

My stomach dropped.

I didn’t even need to look to know he was already glancing my way.

Xander, the Dragon Prince, went next. His gait was smooth, calculated. His hand dipped into the bowl with zero emotion on his face.

"Guild Four," he announced simply.

Ace followed last. Unlike his twin, his grin was playful, charming—but I didn’t trust it for a second.

He yanked his lot like he already knew what it would say—well, we all did. But I wondered if it would be Guild 5, just to throw us off and have the others fight for him.

Too bad reality did not play any sick prank and I was the only one it chose to fuck with.

"Guild Three," Ace said, voice light, but his eyes glinted red for a second as he locked onto me.

We all filed forward to the start. Isla cracked her knuckles beside me, Emerald bounced slightly in place to loosen up her legs.

Ash stood on my other side. Of course. He leaned in a little, whispering just low enough for only me to hear. "Try not to get distracted thinking about me while running, Snowball."

I rolled my eyes and shook out my shoulders. "Keep dreaming," I muttered.

"Positions," a voice barked from the side. One of the instructors raised his arm. "No powers. No shifting. Run clean. Any prank or trick shall be accounted for and you shall be dismissed."

"If seen," Marcus stated behind me, and of course, I knew that bastard would be up to no good. "Watch out, Nightshade," he mused and fell silent.

At once, Ash turned around, glaring daggers at him, and I suddenly felt Marcus gulp.

"Good. It looks like having these Lycans as mates is a good thing."

"Who knows just how insufferable they can get. Focus Astra. It’s bonding time," I warned my wolf.

A hush settled across the starting line. Everyone tensed.

"On your mark," one of the instructors called out.

I stepped into place.

"Set..."

A deep breath.

"Go!"

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