My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 53: Solstice Aura Gold

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Chapter 53

~Valerie’s POV~

By the time I made it back to the dorm, my legs were tired, and my head felt like it was carrying a thousand unspoken arguments.

The corridor was quiet, the evening sun painting golden stripes across the tiled floor through the long windows.

I opened the door, praying for a little peace, just for an hour, maybe less, but as soon as I stepped in, the soft clink of a glass greeted me.

Astraea.

She was seated at the kitchen counter, her back straight, one hand curled tightly around a mug that wasn’t steaming anymore. Her eyes were fixed on the window, and she hadn’t noticed me at first... until I shut the door gently behind me.

Her head snapped toward me.

I blinked. "Hey," I said, offering a tired smile and a small wave.

She stiffened just slightly, which was not enough for anyone else to notice, but I noticed.

The way her shoulders pulled back, her grip on the mug tightening, and how her eyes darted for just a second to my face and then away again.

My smile faltered. "You okay?"

Astraea opened her mouth like she wanted to say something... but then she just gave me a quick nod and a small smile. "Yeah, it’s all good. I just... zoned out."

Right.

I didn’t push it. I couldn’t afford to right now with everything I had swimming in my chest and wrapping around my ribs like a cage.

"Cool," I muttered, already brushing past toward the bedroom. "I’m just gonna... yeah. I’ll be inside."

"Val," she called softly.

I stopped mid-step and looked back.

She hesitated, the orange streak in her hair glowing faintly under the light. "If... if you ever need to talk or—just want someone to listen, you know..."

Her voice was so soft it almost broke me. Although I did not know what got into her in that situation, I was appreciative that she was willing to be there for me even though I never mentioned what happened to me.

I guess my eyes or tiredness gave me away or something.

"I know," I said, and this time, the smile I gave her was real, even if it hurt a little.

She nodded and I disappeared into my room, shutting the door behind me.

I didn’t even take off my shoes at first. I just slumped against the closed door, letting out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding.

Everything felt like it was slipping—the rejection, the bond recoiling, Dristan’s words and the look in everyone’s eyes.

Gods... what had I done?

I hadn’t even fully sat down when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I frowned, reached for it, and saw the caller ID flashing:

Solstice.

I hadn’t heard from her in weeks.

The last time we spoke was the night I left home for PSA. Solstice had joined me in stealing everything I needed and sneaking out of the mansion that night to go to school ahead of time.

I stared at the screen for two more rings before finally picking up.

"Aura?" I said cautiously.

Her voice came in fast and low. "Valerie!"

I placed my hand on the mouthpiece to keep her shut until she stopped screaming into the phone.

"Aura," I hushed her quickly. "What is wrong with you?"

"Dude, is that any way to greet your favourite cousin?" I parted my lips to speak, but she beat me to it. "I’ve missed you."

"And I, you." I sighed and looked around before placing my phone on the bed against my pillow and propping my neck and chest on the second pillow.

"You sure? You do not seem thrilled, Val. I know you. Something is wrong."

I did not know if I could lie my way around this one. Solstice, or Aura, as I called her whenever we were outside and not using our known names, had known me since I was a kid.

Although junior to me by 5 months, she and I were best friends.

"Solstice."

"You do not use my name out like this except it is important. Something is weighing you down, Val. Spill already? Is it school? Boy trouble? Any progress with the emblem or...?"

"Okay fine. I tell you," I cut in before she spoke every word of what I was supposed to do.

"Alright. I am waiting." I saw her prop her hand under her chin and let her elbow rest against her reading table in her room via the video call. "Talk."

"I will. Right after you explain to me what happened. What did Uncle Zade do to you?"

I noticed how her eyes darted about. It was one of her reactions when she was hiding something.

"Solstice?" She wanted to speak, possibly deny something, but I interjected. "And don’t even think of lying to me. Well, you can. I’ll know and I won’t spill either since we want to be keeping secrets."

"Fine. I, Solstice Aura Gold, do not lie." I rolled my eyes at her mimicry of the swearing of the oath sign she did.

"Okay." I nodded, silently urging her on.

"Dad grounded me—no phone, no stepping out, no missions, just me in a different room, with my meal daily and self-medication."

I sighed. Although it was a bit brutal, but knowing Uncle Zade, that was minimal.

"Oh and... I had to train nonstop when I wasn’t meditating for a week plus."

My hand flew over my mouth. She had to endure all of this for me."

Solstice smiled at me. "It’s okay. It was nothing unusual. We have been doing drills for a long time for training. According to Dad, I needed to know the consequences of my actions. And if I am to lead the pack one day, I need to not indulge in pranks and risk my subordinates’ lives."

"I’m no subordinate."

"He understands that. And I understand him. Okay, enough about me. What’s been going on with you?"

"I entered school, and you may have heard from Uncle that I got mugged and poisoned on my first night in the city before arriving."

"Yeah, that was badass."

"No, when you are paralyzed and lying in the forest, love, that ain’t badass."

Solstice chuckled. "So, you’ve gotten your wolf?"

"Yeah."

"How’s she?"

"Beautiful. Really."

"That is wonderful. Okay, have you actually met any cutie you like? I hear the guys in PSA are..."

"Mostly douchebags?" I finished for her.

Solstice smiled. "So not all of them are douches. I bet the Aloha Kings’ Heirs are..."

"Even worse douches," I interjected again, but that might have been my downfall, as the next second, Solstice leaned in, grinning from ear to ear like a witch who could sense everything from several miles away. "Ohh... are you mated to one?"

"Not I’m not ju..." I was about to retort again when she said that and paused mid-sentence.

"Spill." Her eyes glistened for a second before flickering with something else, mischief. "You... Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow. What are you hiding from me?" I swallowed and looked away.

This time, I was already seated and had kicked off my shoes.

"Are you... no. You are mated to an Alpha King’s Heir. And I believe you are mated to not just one but two. Am I right?"

I paused, thinking of what to do or say, but after a few seconds, I resigned myself to fate. "Four."

"F-Four? Valerie, all four of them?"

"Six, actually if you add the..."

"What the fuck!"

She pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming, and I was glad for that, but somehow, I felt lighter just telling her or anyone other than those involved finally.