My Alphas' Dark Desires
Chapter 185: Alpha Mode Jealous

Chapter 185: Alpha Mode Jealous

Chapter Unedited

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Chapter 185

~Valerie’s POV~

I said nothing.

"I acted like you were picking at a wound just to hurt me. But the truth is..." he inhaled. "You were trying to understand me. To connect."

Still, I said nothing. After all, I explained it all to him before, but he did not pay me any heed.

"I let grief twist me into someone I hate. I loathed how I treated you, my love. And when you asked—so innocently—it cracked something open that I’ve spent years trying to bury. I-I’m sorry, Valerie~"

The wind whispered around us.

"I should’ve told you the truth from the start. About Sapphire. About how I lost myself that day. But instead, I lashed out at the only person who gave a damn."

I glanced at him then, eyes narrowing. "Why now, Axel?"

He turned to face me fully. "Because I want to fix it."

"And what if I don’t want it fixed?"

His throat worked. "Then I’ll respect that. But I needed to say it to you in person."

The silence returned. But this time, it wasn’t cold.

"I blamed myself too," I admitted quietly. "For asking and for pushing."

"You shouldn’t have to carry that," he said. "You carry too much already. I should not burden you with my pain."

Something about how he said that made my heart ache a lot. I looked up at him. "I forgive you. I did not blame you, but I’m not ready to just throw it all away. I still... I hated myself for hurting you, and that doesn’t just go away."

"I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to let me try again. Starting now."

I stared at him, searching his face—really searching. For a moment, I didn’t see the cocky flirt everyone else saw.

I saw the broken boy behind the grin—the boy who lost someone and never healed. And in a way, I understood that more than I wanted to admit.

"Okay," I said finally. "Try."

Axel’s expression shifted—just slightly—but enough to see the weight lift from his shoulders.

"Thank you," he whispered.

I turned away from the view, finally letting myself exhale.

We didn’t hug or kiss it out.

We just stood there, two wounded souls staring into a quiet sky—maybe not whole, but not alone either.

And for now... that was enough.

I wanted to connect with him through our shared pain, but his actions only made me realise I could not share my secret with him.

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~Dristan’s POV~

The second I stepped into the Alpha House, my senses sharpened.

Her scent.

Vanilla and wildberries with a faint trail of magic.

Valerie.

She was here.

I didn’t need Xade to confirm it, but I still asked, eyes already scanning the space. "Where is Valerie?"

Xade barely had time to smirk before I was climbing the stairs.

I didn’t care for games.

And when I reached the top landing and turned the corner—my wolf bared its teeth.

She was there.

So was Axel.

Standing far too close.

Their bodies angled toward one another, heads tilted just right, her arms crossed but not retreating.

He leaned in—fingers casually sliding along her waist.

Her waist.

My jaw clenched, fists curling by my sides. Heat rushed to my chest and head.

Don’t kill him.

Don’t kill him.

Axel spotted me first, of course. His gaze met mine over Valerie’s shoulder—and that damn smirk stretched across his face.

"Dri," he said lazily, "just in time."

Then the bastard had the audacity to lean in and press a kiss to Valerie’s lips.

Quick.

Soft.

Barely even a peck.

But it didn’t matter.

The sound of blood rushing in my ears was louder than the thud of my heartbeat. My entire body tensed, and I took a sharp step forward—but before I could lay hands on him, he stepped back, released her waist, and winked.

Winked.

"Later, little moon," he murmured to Valerie and strode past me, brushing my shoulder on purpose.

I nearly turned, nearly grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall, but Valerie’s hand on her chest made me pause.

She hadn’t stopped the kiss.

She hadn’t pushed him away.

My wolf snapped inside me, claws scratching the surface, begging for a release.

I turned to her. "Come with me."

She raised a brow. "Dristan—"

"Now," I growled, my voice low but not loud, because I couldn’t trust myself if it was.

Without another word, I took her hand, guiding her down the hallway and into my room.

I didn’t slam the door. I closed it. Gently.

Then I turned, pacing the room like a caged beast.

Valerie just stood there by the door, arms folded, one foot tapping lightly like she was waiting to see if I’d combust.

I wasn’t going to combust.

I was going to explode.

"Why did you let him kiss you?" I blurted, turning to her.

"It was a peck, Dristan," she replied coolly, strolling further into the room and perching herself on the edge of my bed. "You going to lose your mind over a hello kiss?"

"Yes," I said instantly. "If it’s from him."

She sighed and crossed her legs. "He’s my mate."

"So am I!

" I snapped, then immediately dragged a hand through my hair and exhaled hard. "Gods, this is insane."

"I didn’t plan it, Dristan. He wanted to talk. He apologized. I listened. That’s all."

"No, that’s not all." I pointed toward the door. "He touched you. He kissed you. And I just had to stand there like a—like a—bystander while he flaunted it."

"Would it make you feel better if I shoved him down the stairs after?"

I paused. Blinked.

I tried to stay mad.

But I laughed.

A short, sharp bark of laughter that made her lips twitch.

"Oh, trust me," I muttered, "I fantasised about a lot worse."

Valerie tilted her head, clearly amused now. "Like?"

"Like yanking him off that balcony and seeing how far a wolf can fall with a bruised ego."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You’re so dramatic."

"I’m territorial." I stalked toward her slowly. "I’m not used to sharing. Especially not you. Not your time. Not your smile. And definitely not your lips."

She didn’t move as I reached her. Just looked up, watching me with that same look that made my chest ache—like I meant more to her than I knew what to do with.

I reached out and cupped her cheek. "I know I can’t stop it. I know you have other mates. I respect that. But gods, Valerie... it’s driving me insane."

Her eyes softened.

"I know," she whispered.

"I want to be better," I said. "But when I see someone else with you—even someone I trust like Axel—I don’t think straight."

"I don’t expect you to be perfect," she murmured. "But I do need you to trust me."

"I do."

"Then stop pacing like a wild animal," she teased, tugging lightly on my shirt. "Sit with me."

I sank down beside her, hands bracing on either side of her thighs.

"I’m sorry," I murmured. "I didn’t mean to go alpha mode."

Valerie smiled gently. "I kind of like alpha mode."

I raised a brow. "Dangerous thing to admit."

Before she could argue, I leaned in and kissed her—slow this time, unhurried. No rush, no urgency. Just lips meeting lips in quiet honesty.

She kissed me back.

And I melted.

Because in this moment, she wasn’t kissing Axel.

Or Kai.

Or any of them.

She was kissing me.

And I’d be damned if I let myself forget it.