My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 167: The Question, Why?

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Chapter 168

~Valerie’s POV~

Everyone sat in stillness and suddenly, I didn’t feel so victorious anymore because while the world saw gods with sharp jaws, handsome, brutal, powerful... I saw boys who had bled in silence.

And I couldn’t stop wondering... what did each of them lose? And why did it feel like their grief was drawing them closer to me?

I never knew they experienced their personal suffering like I did but hearing about Axel really changed my perspective.

Astra whimpered internally.

’I was right when I said you should speak to them."

I wanted to argue my reasoning with Astra but I was too weak to do so.

I bid the girls goodbye, not bothering to continue the conversation as I headed for the changing room. I needed to freshen up and go for my final class before detention.

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Detention let out just after six.

The sky had darkened slightly, dusk bleeding into the stone pathways like spilled ink. Students moved in clusters—some heading to dorms, others whispering about the Heirs, Titania, and me.

Always me.

As I stepped out of the west wing, my shoulders slouched. Detention today was surprisingly uneventful.

I had expected the heirs to act in different ways, but surprisingly, I saw them becoming serious for once.

I did not know what to say to that and minded my business. As soon as I stepped out of class, someone called my name.

"Val—"

A hand reached out, fingers brushing mine as I was pulled to the side by the wall.

Kai.

His presence always carried a certain intensity like magical heat that left my body tingly and aching for his touch.

Intense in a way that could seduce even shadows. But right now, his touch felt too direct—too open.

"I’ll walk you back," he said, his voice softer than usual. His emerald green eyes flicked to mine.

I pulled back gently. "Thanks, but I’m good."

I noticed the flash of hurt in his eyes. "Was this because of the match earlier on? That I lost?"

"No."

"Then, Valerie..."

Before he could answer, someone else appeared behind him.

Xade.

He leaned casually against the stone pillar, arms crossed, that ever-present smirk dancing on his lips. "If you’re turning Kai down, then I’m definitely next in line."

"I’m not a shuttle to be fought over," I said flatly, but with a small smile to soften the blow.

"I can carry you, though," Xade grinned. "One hand. Over the shoulder. Princess-style."

"Tempting. But no."

I stepped past both of them with a gentle shake of my head, and that’s when I saw Axel.

Leaning against the far wall, one boot propped against the stone, hands in his pockets. He wasn’t talking, wasn’t watching—he just existed in a quiet sort of storm.

The light from the windows cut across his jaw, outlining the sharp lines of someone who knew pain intimately and wore silence like armour. ƒreewebɳovel.com

My feet moved before my thoughts caught up.

"I’ll have Axel walk me back," I said suddenly.

It wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough. Every head turned.

Ash blinked, his brows lifting. "Wait, what?"

Ace’s eyes narrowed with something intense while Dristan’s entire stance froze, like someone had rewound the tape mid-battle.

"What?" Ash repeated again, slower. "You want Axel to—?"

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. "Yes. Is that a problem?"

Ash chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, no. I just—"

"If Lycan boy doesn’t have a problem, I do," Xade spoke up. "I mean, we are offering and Axel, who is just chill there, gets the golden cup?"

"Is this a competition?" Xade was about speaking when I cut him short. "Well, maybe you should learn to be chill, too."

Kai chuckled lightly. "Let her be, Xade."

Ash, on the other hand, leaned forward slightly, his grin turning coy. "You and I were supposed to meet later. I was hoping for a little more of your time."

I smiled. "Then I’ll catch you at our usual place. Later."

A beat of silence passed, one too long.

Dristan’s eyes darkened. "Usual place?"

"You have a secret meeting spot with Ash?" Ace asked.

My smile grew. "I didn’t say it was a secret."

Dristan’s mouth twitched, not into a smirk but into a slight frown. He was trying not to show possessiveness over me, especially after every one of them had claimed me openly,

"Valerie—" he started.

But I was already walking, my shoulder brushing Axel’s as I passed.

Axel didn’t say anything. He just fell into step beside me, silently matching my pace with ease.

We walked without speaking for a while, just the crunch of gravel beneath our shoes and the hum of twilight wrapping around the academy like a veil.

When I finally glanced at him, Axel’s gaze was forward, posture relaxed, hands still tucked into his jacket pockets. His walk was unhurried, head tilted slightly like he was listening to music only he could hear.

The faint smirk on his lips wasn’t mocking—just... there. As if the world amused him in ways no one else saw.

"I didn’t expect you to agree," he said finally.

"To walk me?"

"To pick me."

I shrugged. "You looked like you needed the air and probably a listening ear."

Axel didn’t respond, but his shoulders shifted slightly, like I’d touched something deeper than I meant to.

"You always walk like you have secrets," I said lightly.

He arched a brow. "That’s because I do."

A laugh slipped from my throat. "Of course you do."

"You sound like you’re surprised."

"I’m not. You give off that vibe."

He tilted his head toward me. "Which one? The devastatingly handsome mystery prince vibe?"

"More like the trouble-making heir who flirts too much and hides behind sarcastic vibe."

Axel grinned. "Touché."

We kept walking, shoes crunching softly against the gravel path.

"What about you?" he asked after a pause. "What’s your vibe, hmm? Femme fatale? Ice queen? Rebel with seven agendas?"

I smirked. "I’m still figuring that out."

"Let me know when you do. I want exclusive rights to the reveal."

I shook my head with a soft laugh, then nudged him lightly with my shoulder. "What about you—likes, dislikes, favourite murder weapon?"

He gave me a slow, crooked smile. "Hm. Let’s see. Likes: night runs, cold water, fast cars, and girls who ask dangerous questions."

My brow lifted. "That’s oddly specific."

"I could go deeper, but I don’t want to scare you."

"I’m not that easy to scare."

"Good," he murmured.

A breeze slipped between us, and my smile faded slightly. I glanced at him again.

"Do you have siblings?" I asked, softer now.

The shift in his expression was subtle, but it was there.

"No," he said, simply.

I blinked. "None?"

He nodded once, still facing forward. "Only child."

"But... are you sure?"

That earned me a quick side glance. "Pretty sure. Unless someone forgot to mention a twin hiding in the attic."

I tilted my head. "So no adopted siblings either? Or... maybe a cousin who’s like a sister?"

Axel sighed, but not with annoyance. Just... thought.

"I have a cousin. Female. We’re close. Grew up together. But no siblings. Not by blood. Not by bond."

His voice stayed casual, but there was a hint of something deeper, hidden beneath the smooth surface.

We turned down a quieter path as the gardens to our left whispered in the wind. "Can I ask you something?" I said softly.

Axel gave a faint nod. "You can ask."

"Will you answer?"

"That depends." The edge of my lip curled up.

This was how he worked. Guarded. Watching every word as if it were currency. I wondered if he knew how easy it was to read someone who tried so hard not to be read.

"I want to know you," I said plainly.

That made him pause, really pause and halt.

Axel glanced at me then with his clear and sharp eyes. I couldn’t quite read him exactly. What had gotten him down?

"Why?"

"Because you’re my mate," I said simply. "And not just by some cosmic accident or ancient design. You’re part of my orbit now." I winked.

Even I knew I sounded cheesy, but I was trying to make memories.

"So I want to understand your silence. Your smirks. The way you stand back and let the others take centre while you hold your weight from the shadows."

Even while I spoke, Axel’s eyes didn’t leave mine. He did not answer me immediately.

I was about to press again when he beat me to it.

"Alright," he said, smirking as he slowed his pace and turned slightly toward me. "Let’s skip the scenic route."

I blinked. "What?"

He leaned just a little closer, his voice dropping an octave. "Tell me what you really want to know, Valerie."

"I’m just curious—"

"No, you’re circling something," he said, still smiling, but his eyes sharpened slightly. "You didn’t ask about my favourite colours or if I snore. You went straight to bloodlines and missing pieces."

I hesitated.

He stepped in front of me now, stopping my path with nothing but a gaze and the quiet strength in his stance.

"Where are you going with this?" he asked.

I looked up at him. The breeze brushed a lock of hair into my face, but I didn’t move it.

Instead, I exhaled.

"Fine," I said quietly.

I stepped closer, the distance between us closing. His breath ghosted across my cheek, but I didn’t flinch. Didn’t break.

I met his gaze with mine, letting my voice stay steady. Honest. Real.

"I want to know exactly how each of you got your blue eyes."