My Alphas' Dark Desires
Chapter 229: Hidden

Chapter 229: Hidden

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

Chapter 230

~Valerie’s POV~

I didn’t know how to handle the news I’d just gotten.

There was no way Dristan could be doing something like that... right?

The thought alone sent my stomach into knots, bile rising in my throat as I replayed Xade’s words in my head.

Could he really be manipulating people like that—using mind control? Hypnosis?

And was that an advancement in his power or dark magic?

Before I could form the words to question him further, a jolt of sensation ran through me, like a live wire brushing too close to skin. My body jerked instinctively backwards.

I blinked and looked down.

Xade’s fingers hovered inches from where mine had just been.

He pulled his hand back with a small frown. "Hmm."

"Sorry," I murmured, breath shaky as I forced my arms to relax. I shook my head quickly, trying to focus. "It’s just... something important is happening around us and around Dristan."

And I needed clarity, not panic.

"So," I began, searching Xade’s face, "you’re saying I could be a catalyst for whatever this is?"

"If..." he started carefully, tucking his hands into his jacket pockets as his gaze slid away. "If Dristan really is doing it... then the question becomes, are you the reason, or is all of this a ploy? A distraction from something much bigger?"

I didn’t like either of those answers.

"I..." My voice faltered. My wolf, Astra, whimpered within me, her sadness echoing with mine.

I knew she didn’t want to believe any of our mates could be dangerous—could be twisted.

Especially not Dristan. He’d always been our storm, our edge, but never cruel. Never manipulative.

"Okay," I said firmly after a moment. "Let’s not confront him yet. Not until we’re certain. If we’re wrong..." I trailed off, unable to even imagine what that would do to him. To us.

Xade nodded, relieved. "Good. That’s smart."

I twisted my lips before adding, "We’ll wait until we catch him in the act—until there’s no denying it. That way, no one can claim bias or turn this back on you."

"As you wish."

"Wait... Have you told the others?" I asked, watching his expression carefully.

"No," he said firmly. "Just Isla. And now you. But... I can’t guarantee what my cousin might decide to do."

I nodded slowly, lifting my chin. "I doubt anyone would believe Kieran at this point. But if he gets reckless again... leave him to me."

Something flickered in Xade’s expression at that, a tight twist of disapproval.

He stepped closer, his jaw clenched. "I’m sorry, I can’t. If it were up to me, I’d keep you far from him. The less contact you have with Kieran, the better."

"I know," I said, lowering my gaze. "Kieran’s waiting for you guys to fall apart, for your downfall with me. And soon I may give him that."

I didn’t miss the way Xade’s shoulders tensed.

"And you’re so eager to hand it to him?" he snapped suddenly right in front of me.

His hand wrapped around my wrist—not hard, but urgent. "Are you that ready to do away with us?"

I stared at him, unflinching. "No. But I’m ready to let Kieran make his move. Ready to see what he’s really planning. Maybe then, everyone will see him for what he is."

Xade studied me for a long moment, searching for something in my eyes. When he found only cold determination, he sighed and finally let go of my wrist.

"Fine." His voice was tight. "I hope you know what you’re doing."

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked off, the sound of his boots echoing.

I stood there for several minutes, letting the silence stretch while my thoughts accompanied me.

I had more than enough time to reflect while out there—but none of those thoughts were about my missing necklace, which by now had become just another weight added to the tower of burdens on my shoulders.

Later that evening, I finally returned to my room after a long, dragging class. I pushed the door shut behind me with a soft click and let out a tired sigh.

I heard Isla enter the suite not long after. She called out a brief greeting outside my door. I answered from inside my room without opening the door.

That was it.

I just... couldn’t handle interaction right now.

I needed silence. I needed space.

After kicking off my shoes, I stood up to peel off my uniform and hit the bathroom. But as I turned toward my closet, my eyes caught something at the window.

Something that hadn’t registered before.

I paused, one hand frozen at the hem of my shirt.

There, near the edge of the window frame, barely visible unless you were looking directly at it, was a tiny glint of metal.

I narrowed my eyes and stepped closer.

Leaning in, I spotted it: a tiny, almost perfectly disguised screw nestled into the upper corner of the window ledge. I tilted my head slightly.

No, it wasn’t just a screw but a pinhole lens.

A camera.

My heart dropped.

"Fucking bitch," I hissed, spinning around.

I stormed to my wardrobe, yanked open the drawer, and grabbed the small silver-bladed knife I kept for emergencies.

Marching back, I plunged the blade into the lens until it cracked with a satisfying snap.

Glass and circuitry crumbled inward as I destroyed it from the window.

I stood there, breathing heavily, hand still clenched around the handle.

My eyes scanned the room’s corners, shelves, and under the bed for any sign of another.

Nothing.

It explained so much. The strange angle of the "tree" footage showing my kiss with Kai, and the persistent feeling of being watched.

Astra stirred with a growl in my mind.

"Looks like you really can’t trust your roommates."

I clenched my jaw as my thoughts spun fast.

Could it be Isla?

Or Emerald?

Or even Astraea?

Solstice’s note replayed faintly in my mind: Don’t trust Astraea.

But Emerald... She had access too, and unlike the rest, she was mostly not supporting some things I did.

Quiet, observant. Always in the background.

Could I really rule her out?

I shook my head. My inner circle had been compromised. And until I knew exactly who placed that thing... No one was safe from scrutiny.

"What will you do, Valerie?"

"Find who sent the anonymous note and what they know."