My Alphas' Dark Desires
Chapter 200: Using Her As Bait

Chapter 200: Using Her As Bait

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Chapter 200

~Kieran’s POV~

Xade did not need to say it. I knew I had his attention as well as his curiosity.

"What is it?" he asked rather gruffly.

"One word," I stated sharply. "Dristan."

Xade scoffed in disbelief. "You’re joking. This was a total waste of time. Bye."

"Wait! Just listen—Dristan’s been hypnotizing students. I’m not making this up. I was a victim. Ask Avery. Ask Brielle. They’ve both felt it too. Something’s off with him."

"You expect me to believe that one of the Alpha heirs is dabbling in dark magic?"

"I don’t expect anything," I said coolly. "But maybe you’re too scared to face the truth."

There was silence on the line again.

Then, finally, Xade said, "Fine. I’ll cut you a deal. But not a word about this to anyone."

"Oh, cousin," I said smoothly. "This is your territory. Your jurisdiction. Your region. Keep the students safe. That’s your job. I’ve got no interest in playing hero, nor do I have use of his information."

"Yet you used it to broker a deal."

"Because you are you. The only one who can make this work."

He clicked his tongue. "Where is this party?"

"Killian residence. Since students are allowed to leave campus this weekend due to the midterms and public holidays, we’ll start around six. End by ten. Gives enough time for everyone to be back by eleven, no curfew break."

"Fine. I’ll handle it. But remember—keep your mouth shut."

"Promise," I said with a smile. "Oh... and Xade?"

"What now?"

I hesitated just long enough to make it matter. "I... I like your mate."

The silence that followed was heavy, dangerous.

Then Xade’s voice came off low and lethal. "Say that again, and this call will be the last thing you ever do."

He hung up before I could say another word.

I stared at the darkened screen, my pulse still racing. I should’ve stopped myself from saying that last part.

But it was true.

I liked Valerie Nightshade—more than liked. At first, she was supposed to be my next plaything, but after seeing her a few times, it blossomed into something more.

There was something about her—magnetic, haunting—that made me feel alive. I wasn’t like the others. I didn’t want to dominate her or claim her like property.

That was me before, but now I want her to choose me. And if it meant throwing the grandest apology party PSA had ever seen—so be it.

Let the music begin.

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~Xade’s POV~

It didn’t take long before the announcement was trending on the school gossip site. "Midterms’ Celebration Bash"—even the name sounded ridiculous.

But of course, students flocked to it like moths to a flame. It had Kieran’s signature all over it—loud, flashy, and begging for attention.

Now, all I had to do was get the Alphas to attend. That wouldn’t be hard. The moment they sniffed an unsanctioned party, they’d show up out of responsibility—or curiosity.

They’d also want to make sure nothing spiralled out of control.

However, the real challenge wasn’t getting people to attend.

It was Valerie Nightshade herself—my mate.

Valerie wasn’t one to fall for grand gestures, especially when they shoved her into the spotlight. She preferred shadows, quiet corners, and control over chaos.

And this party? It was chaos on a silver platter.

Still... I had no choice.

Kieran’s warning about Dristan still replayed in my mind. I hated that I was using Valerie as bait, hated that I was dragging her into something she didn’t ask for.

But if there was truth to what Kieran claimed—if Dristan really had been using dark magic to hypnotise students—then I needed answers.

Fast.

The worst part? Kieran wasn’t the only one. Avery. Brielle. They’d hinted at strange encounters, too. My instincts told me something wasn’t right.

I’d have to investigate carefully and quietly.

It was already evening. The warm golden glow of the setting sun stretched lazily over the estate walls.

The mansion was quiet for now, anticipation lingering in the air. I was waiting for Valerie, we all were.

Silver had texted Dristan that Valerie was finally being discharged. Without hesitation, Dristan and Kai had left to pick her up.

I’d excused myself for a while when Lucy came to deliver Kieran’s letter. Now, all that remained was the most delicate part of the plan—convincing Valerie to come.

I was walking back toward the main room when the sound of Dristan’s car echoed from the long driveway.

Everyone looked up, and after about a minute, the door opened, and there she was.

Valerie.

Her presence silenced everything around us. Dressed in soft, loose clothes and a thin jacket, she looked paler than usual in just the few hours since we saw her, but no less stunning.

A little tired, a little wary—but still Valerie. Her gaze swept over us as she stepped towards the porch slowly.

We all stepped out to greet her—me, Axel, Kai, and Dristan.

"Welcome back," Kai said first, smiling faintly.

"Good to see you, Vee," Axel added with a two-finger salute.

Dristan didn’t say anything. He walked beside her silently, staying close, protective.

"Glad you’re back on your feet," I said, and her gaze flicked to me briefly.

Valerie nodded, accepting greetings from the others.

Instead of heading to the spare room prepared for her, Valerie shook her head. "I’ll stay in the living room for now," she said. "I’m not tired enough to sleep. Just... want to rest."

No one objected about that.

Valerie curled into the corner of the couch, pulling a throw blanket over her lap. The fire in the hearth crackled low, casting a warm orange glow across her face.

She looked fragile there.

"Are you hungry?" I asked after a few minutes of silence had passed.

She didn’t respond right away. "Maybe."

I returned with a tray a few minutes later—simple warm pasta, bread rolls, a glass of juice. Comfort food. Something easy.

She looked at the tray as I set it on the coffee table, her expression unreadable. "Thanks."

"Eat slowly," I said, lowering myself onto the seat beside her. "You still need rest."

She took a bite and chewed slowly. "It’s good."

For a while, the room was filled with soft clinks of her fork and the fire’s occasional hiss.

Riven and Xander dropped by shortly after to greet Valerie, and after about twenty minutes, they announced that they were returning to their dorm.

Ash and Ace came a few minutes later with some extra things Valerie had forgotten from the infirmary, but they too didn’t linger long.

Within thirty minutes, it was just the four of us left—me, Dristan, Kai, and Axel.

I watched the way Dristan sat so close to her, his arm resting behind the couch like a silent claim. Valerie didn’t seem to mind. But she didn’t lean into him either.

Eventually, I stood. "Valerie."

She looked up, her eyes a little heavy now.

"The fifth heir’s room is cleaned and ready. No one’s using it, and it’s the quietest in the house. You can rest there tonight. If you’d like."

She hesitated. Dristan looked at her, about to speak—but she beat him to it.

"Okay," she said quietly. "Just for tonight."

Dristan didn’t waste a second.

Before she could move, he had already stood, scooped her up in a bridal carry, and began walking upstairs.

"Seriously?" she muttered.

"You said okay," Dristan replied, smirking a little. "This is faster."