My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Stoking the Flames

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Chapter 117

~Valerie’s POV~

The rest of the day was a blur. By lunch, I just wanted quiet. To not feel the way my skin heated anytime one of them looked at me.

It didn’t help how Astra was behaving, either. I so desperately wanted to feel their touch, even if it was for a little bit, to quench this....

I shook my head and the thoughts away.

I slipped into one of the courtyards tucked behind the greenhouse, which students rarely used or visited. It was quiet and shady looking by this time of day.

But I didn’t care. However, I halted in my steps when my gaze landed on a figure not too far from me.

I wasn’t alone.

Judging by his unique scent, I immediately recognised who it belonged to—Ash Kaid.

Sitting under the old willow, he was already there, flipping through a book. When he looked up, his expression softened.

"Didn’t think anyone else knew about this spot," he stated.

"I needed air," I replied. My voice was too dry and my skin too warm.

I didn’t expect it to hit this fast.

The bond surged suddenly like a wave inside me when I came close to Ash. My heart sped. My hands started shaking.

I took a step back, ready to give him space and hopefully stop this reaction but instead, Astra groaned.

"Stay."

Just one word from her and I was already considering it.

"Feel it, feel him."

"I... Ash—" I breathed. "Something’s wrong."

He was at my side in two strides. His hands gripping my arms as his gaze roamed over me like he had once done when he was worried.

But that was not the painful thing. The second he did, something inside me sparked like my body and blood lit up.

His brows furrowed as he assessed me. "Valerie.... Tell me, what’s going on? Are you under the weather?" His hand flew to my neck and forehead. "You’re burning up."

But when I looked at him, I was immediately transported back to my dream. How they wanted me and how I wanted them in return. No.

"It’s the matebond. You’re not able to suppress it as well as before."

I tried to step back, but my knees buckled. Thankfully, he was fast and caught me gently.

"Ash... I—" My words melted into a soundless gasp. My head spun.

His hands didn’t move, but his voice lowered smoothly. "Valerie, listen to me. Breathe. In. Out."

I clung to the sound of his voice. "Think of something cold. Ice. Water. Snow. Not me."

My laugh came out as a choked breath. "You’re not helping."

"Good. Focus harder."

The heat crawled over my skin like wildfire, licking at my spine, burning up my thoughts.

It wasn’t just desire—it was primal need and overwhelming. The bond wasn’t subtle anymore. It screamed through my blood, and every inch of me responded like it had a mind of its own.

I clutched at Ash without thinking, my fingers curling into his shirt. My breath came in shallow, ragged pulls, my legs still barely holding.

His hands never left my arms, but they didn’t wander either. They stayed right there, steady like an anchor.

He didn’t move. He didn’t lean in. He didn’t take me in his arms to kiss me, much like Astra was chanting in my head.

He just stayed by me, just like how Kai had refused to give in and that broke something in me.

The fire rolled through again—wave after wave, threatening to drown me in heat and longing—but I clung to the sound of his calm voice as he held me up in his arms.

Then, just as suddenly as it came, the burn stopped.

It did not stop slowly or gradually.

I meant every word. Even if it was the bond talking, I wasn’t.

—Ash

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