My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Yield or Not

***************

Chapter 49

~Valerie’s POV~

I don’t know why I expected a chill day.

Maybe a part of me believed after yesterday’s seven-mile hell marathon and the ongoing power flex between six mates and a smug fae princess, the universe would grant me mercy.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

Combat class was held on one of the upper terraces—stone floor, massive pillars, enough space to run a mini war if you wanted. The arena overlooked the cliffs on the east wing. Gorgeous, dangerous, and ridiculously exposed to every damn Guild currently watching.

I stood with Isla, Emerald, and Astraea, all of us in our training gear, arms crossed, weapons secured.

"Why do I feel like something’s brewing?" Isla muttered, eyeing the line-up of Guild members forming around the field.

"Because it is," I answered automatically.

"Something’s off," Astraea added, her fae eyes narrowing as her gaze swept the field. "Look over there."

I followed her line of sight.

And there they were, the Lycan twins.

Ash and Ace Kaid, looking like they’d just stepped out of a royal portrait and straight into trouble, smirking and whispering to each other like they already owned the damn field.

One look at them, and I knew they were up to something.

Ms. Laria, our combat instructor—a no-nonsense war-veteran turned teacher—stepped into the center of the ring.

"Today’s drill is simple," she began, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Combat partners. You’ll spar with a match of equal rank. This is not about winning—it’s about reading your opponent and applying control."

Oh, how convenient, control.

Then she added, "You are allowed to call challenges if you wish to spar with someone from another guild. However, challenges must be approved by your instructors."

I should’ve known.

The moment she said challenge, the twins both stepped forward.

Of course they did.

"I, Ashton Kaid of Guild One," Ash said, grinning like a wolf in a pen full of lambs, "formally challenge Valerie Nightshade to a sparring session. Strategic reasons, of course."

A ripple of gasps echoed through the field.

Ms. Laria raised an eyebrow. "Strategic reasons?"

"I’ve never fought someone who outran a dragon," Ash said, flashing that annoying smile. "It would be an honor."

Ace took a step forward beside his brother. "And I, Ace Kaid of Guild Three, also wish to challenge Valerie—if she’s not too tired. We could rotate, give her a breather between rounds."

A loud "what the hell?" slipped from someone in the crowd. Emerald slapped her own forehead.

Isla muttered, "They’re going to die."

Ms. Laria looked entirely unimpressed. "Miss Nightshade," she called out, eyes flicking to me, "are you open to challenge?"

I stepped forward slowly, arms still crossed. "Only if they agree not to cry when they lose."

Ash gave me a lazy wink.

"Consent given," Ms. Laria said. "Match approved. Both challengers are to face Miss Nightshade, one after the other. No powers. No shifting. No interference. You’ll bow before you begin. End on surrender, tap out, or the instructor’s call."

The twins took their places on opposite ends of the arena. Ash first.

I walked to the center.

A collective "Ooooohh!" erupted from the crowd.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify