My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Shopping

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Chapter 25

~Valerie’s POV~

The next couple of days breezed past, and I did my best to avoid the Alpha heirs while trying to settle into the dorm.

Every time I sensed one of them nearby, I took another route, refused to make eye contact, and buried myself in my classes. It was easier that way—less complicated.

By Saturday, my wardrobe situation had become dire, which meant I had to do the inevitable: shopping.

As I sat on my bed, scrolling through a mental list of things I needed, Isla suddenly flopped down beside me out of nowhere, her blonde curls bouncing as she peeked at my phone screen. "Shopping?" she guessed.

"Yeah..." I drawled as my gaze darted over to the door. It was open. "I need new clothes," I admitted, letting my eyes finally settle on her face.

Astraea strolled in, dressed in a pleated short skirt and a white shirt with a sleeveless sweatshirt on top. She lounged on my bed, perked up. "Ooooh, let’s go into town! You haven’t been yet, have you?"

I hesitated. I had planned to go alone, but before I could say anything, Emerald leaned against the wall, folding her arms. "It’s settled then. We’ll take you to the best clothing store."

I blinked. "Wait, what—"

"We’re going." Isla grinned, already slipping on her shoes. "No objections."

I sighed but smiled a little. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad having them tag along. In the past, my sister, well, cousin, was always my mischievous pair. Having someone else do that with me was different.

Nevertheless, I needed to blend in and survive while finding out information about the Nightshade Thorn emblem.

"Fine," I said with all smiles, and they chorused a surprisingly loud ’yes’.

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Later—At the Clothing Store

As soon as we entered the store, the scent of new fabric and subtle perfume filled the air.

The place was lined with racks of stylish dresses, trendy tops, mad jean trousers, leather trousers, and several other varieties.

Rows of shoes gleamed under the fluorescent lighting in the left-hand corner of the store, leading into what seemed like an endless line of them.

"Alright, first stop: outing wear!" Isla declared, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the back.

But the moment we stepped further inside, my stomach twisted.

Because standing near the accessories section, flipping through a rack of clothes like she belonged there, was Brielle.

Ugh.

My jaw clenched as I stopped mid-step. Isla felt the tension in my arm and immediately tightened her grip on my wrist.

"We are shopping here, and that’s final," she hissed under her breath before I even got a chance to protest. "Don’t even think of backing out because of worthless trash."

Astraea and Emerald flanked me, their presence solidly reassuring.

I nodded, seeing as I had good friends beside me. It felt oddly more reassuring, more so than those mates of mine. "Okay. Let’s do this."

Lifting my chin, I strode past, not sparing Brielle a single glance. If she wanted a reaction, she wasn’t getting one from me.

But just as I brushed by, I heard a sharp intake of breath—Brielle’s breath.

And then, in a tone laced with disbelief, her voice cut through the air.

"She what?"

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~Brielle’s POV~

The moment I laid eyes on Valerie, my blood boiled.

She walked in with her little entourage, acting so high and mighty like she owned the place. But it was my world before she came along.

Mine.

And then, out of nowhere, my so-called friend, Claudia, let out a mocking snicker beside me.

"Look at her," Claudia sneered. "Acting like she’s something special, just because she’s the mate of Alpha Dristan."

My world stopped.

"She what?" I breathed, my throat suddenly dry.

Claudia’s smirk deepened. "Oh, you didn’t know? Well, even I was shocked. I overheard them talking two days back on my way to my room. Valerie is Dristan’s fated mate."

No. No, that wasn’t possible.

I swallowed hard as memories of that day surged back—the day I collapsed.

Before I could react, my back slammed into the wall, knocking the breath from my lungs. I barely had time to cry out before I saw him.

The hallway was gone. I wasn’t in the academy anymore. I was somewhere else. Somewhere I thought I’d escaped long ago.

My father’s voice. "Useless girl."

My mother’s whisper. "Disgrace."

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