My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Entering the Lion's Den

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Chapter 2

~Valerie's POV~

Pain. Heavy, unrelenting pain coursed through my body, especially my head.

My body felt like lead, my limbs numb, my throat dry. I groaned as consciousness dragged me back, the morning sun stabbing through my closed eyelids like knives.

What the hell...?

My pulse pounded against my skull, and the sharp scent of damp earth and blood filled my nose. My blood. My fingers twitched against the dirt, and slowly, I forced my eyes open.

The forest canopy swayed above me, golden sunlight spilling through the leaves. Birds chirped in the distance, oblivious to the fact that I had almost died last night.

I sucked in a shaky breath. The poison. It had worn off, but my body still ached from the aftermath. I tried to sit up, hissing at the sting in my ribs. My wounds had stopped bleeding, but I needed to clean them before they got infected.

My fingers fumbled for my phone, only to see that a part of the screen had cracked. I hissed as the screen flickered to life, but then fate was after me—1% battery.

Shit.

My first instinct was to call my uncle. He'd be pissed, but at this point, I didn't have much of a choice. I quickly pressed his number, bringing the phone to my ear, but before I did, the screen went dark.

"Dammit," I cursed loudly.

I clenched my jaw, but then I remembered—my smartwatch.

Yes!

Tapping the screen, I activated the call function to my emergency contact and waited. One ring.

Two.

Then, a sharp, familiar voice crackled through the speaker.

"Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow."

I winced. My uncle only used my real full name when I was in trouble.

Having run away from home, used a dangerous means of transport while turning off any means of being tracked, got attacked, poisoned and also caused him to worry—right now, I was indeed in trouble.

"Morning to you too, Uncle."

A long silence. Then, a heavy sigh. "I warned you. I fucking warned you, Valerie!"

"Temper, temper, temper, Uncle. I know," I muttered in Scar's voice. "I wouldn't dream of offending you." I held back the need to chuckle, as I could already see the scowl forming on his face. "But you also know why I couldn't wait."

Another pause. This one lasted longer.

Finally, his voice softened just a little. "Where are you?"

"Somewhere outside the city. Got mugged, poisoned, and nearly crushed under three oversized alphas."

A beat of silence. "The... the alpha princes?"

I blinked. "I... my eyes were blurry thanks to the poison, but I doubt they are as scumbagish as those bullies."

A sharp inhale. "Doesn't matter. You need to get somewhere safe and go to school which you would have been doing if you hadn't run away from home. Where are you now?"

"Outskirts of the city."

"Okay. There's a hotel on Crescent Street. Lobby 2. Go there now. I'll handle the arrangements."

I exhaled in relief. "Got it."

"Valerie." His voice turned serious. "Be careful. And stay the hell away from trouble."

Too late for that.

But I didn't say it.

Before the call ended, I recalled one crucial detail. "Uncle."

"Yes?"

"I lost my necklace."

This time, the silence was deafening. I knew he was holding back his rage. A sharp exhale followed.

"Valerie..."

"Please, can you get me another one?"

"The witches aren't that free. But I'll pull a few strings. Sorry, but it wouldn't get to you on time, so I advise you to stay low. Do not attract attention to yourself."

"Got it."

The call ended, and I pushed myself to my feet, wincing at the tight pull of my wounds. I needed to move.

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

The hotel wasn't far—an hour from where I was—but every step felt like dragging my body through fire. The city was alive now—cars honking, voices buzzing, and the scent of food teasing my empty stomach.

I reached the building, a sleek, modern structure standing tall against the skyline. The lobby was cool, quiet and smelled like expensive cologne.

And then—I saw him.

A familiar face.

The man stood near the front desk, dressed casually in dark jeans and a fitted shirt, but there was no mistaking him. A contact of my uncle.

He glanced up, and the second our eyes met, he smirked. "You look like hell, Nightshade."

"Feel like it, too," I muttered. "Hello, Gamma."

"Is that all I get after seeing each other for five years?"

My smile broadened as I immediately gave him a hug. He was one of those who trained and spoiled us in my uncle's pack.

Without another word, he handed me a brown envelope. I opened it, finding a stack of cash, a debit card, and a hotel key.

"Shower, eat, sleep," he said. "You look like you're about to drop dead."

"I love the encouragement." I snatched the envelope. Then I quickly recalled something: "Oh, and Ryan, I need a new phone and laptop. I need to track someone."

"I'll have it sent to your room, Nightshade."

"Always the best." With that, I stalked toward the elevator, leaving him.

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

The hotel room was clean and classy, and the scent of fresh linen filled the air. I wasted no time stripping out of my torn clothes and stepping under the hot shower's spray.

The moment the water hit my skin, I exhaled.

Flashes of last night flickered in my mind—the thief, the poison, them.

Were they the Alpha Kings' Heirs?

Dristan. Kai. Axel. I thought the four heirs usually moved together.

I couldn't recall, as the poison and the loss of blood did a number on me.

All I recalled were their voices, scents and suffocating aura pressing down on me like a weight I couldn't shake.

'Pathetic little slut.'

'Apologize now, and maybe we'll go easy on you.'

I gritted my teeth, shoving the memories aside. No. I wouldn't let them win.

After dressing my wounds and slipping into the clean clothes left for me—black jeans, a fitted top, and combat boots—I grabbed my bag, which contained my laptop and new phone.

Then I saw a folded note and opened it. "Stay out of trouble, Nightshade," I read out and glanced at the phone number on the back.

That was his hotline, for me.

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