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CHAPTER 6
~Xade's POV~
"Mate."
The first time I saw her—really saw her—was yesterday.
I had just stepped onto the academy grounds after a morning wasted waiting for my father. Late to school, missing the usual introductions and lectures—not that I cared or could be bothered, but I cared about my reputation. This was my territory and pack lands.
As the Middle Belt Regional heir, I had a name to live up to; at least, that's what my father loved to think.
But then, as I moved through the hallways, my wolf stirred.
It was brief. A flicker of something wrong, yet it felt all too right.
My instincts sharpened. I scanned the students, the crowd, the scents that mingled together—until her scent hit me.
Dark roses, the crisp bite of frost, and something untamed. I inhaled deeply, loving how that sweet scent soothed my wolf. It called to me. And there was only one possible explanation I could think of.
I had found my mate.
But before I could follow it, she was gone.
That alone intrigued me.
Unlike the other Alpha king heirs, I was the most sensitive. It ran in the family. While the others had their brute strength and large territory, we pined for peace, and thus, our cunning thinking was top-notch.
~The Day Before—Flashback~
"You're late."
My father's deep voice echoed through the study as he leaned back in his leather chair, his golden eyes as sharp as ever.
I sighed, dropping into the seat across from him. "You're the one who kept me waiting."
My father, Alpha Xavier, ignored my complaint as his eyes narrowed.
He steepled his fingers, his expression turning serious. "The Middle Belt must remain secure, and businesses must stay in check. That's your priority at PSA. No distractions. This is your final year."
I nodded. This was expected. My father's reach extended beyond just our pack—he controlled trade, information, and power. Keeping everything in line was part of my role, even if I wasn't officially Alpha yet.
"That's not all," he continued. "Someone has been digging into the massacre from ten years ago. The one that wiped out the Southern Region."
I stiffened, my breath barely coming in as my eyes remained locked with his.
My father never talked about that night unless it was necessary. Was this some kind of test or… did something truly happen?
I sat up. "Who?"
His gaze darkened. "We don't know. But whoever it is, they're getting close. Too close. Find out who. Find out why and then sink them."
I let the information sink in. Wait, sink them? I sighed, knowing fully well why he'd want that. The massacre was what it was: a massacre that should remain buried to let those innocent souls rest.
Someone was looking for answers.
And if they dug deep enough… They'd find things that should stay buried—ugly truths of the werewolf kingdom and the power play of politics and greed.
I exhaled, nodding once. "I'll handle it."
Satisfied, my father leaned back. "Good."
I waited a few seconds for him to say something, but he didn't. Immediately, I rose to my feet, dipped my head, and headed straight for the door.
Then, just as I was about to turn the doorknob, his voice rang out. "One more thing, Xade."
I paused, glancing over my shoulder.
"The mating season is approaching," he said smoothly. "You'll meet with Alpha Ray's daughter, Rhina. You know what to do."
I smirked, but my wolf growled angrily inside. I knew Xaren felt it, too, and now, Father had indirectly brought up an arranged marriage.
I knew exactly what my father was suggesting. Securing political ties. Strengthening alliances. Ensuring our future.
I gave him a lazy salute. "Sure, Father. I'll handle it."
But now? Now that I had found her?
Yeah. He wasn't gonna like this.
~Present – Xade's POV~
I watched Valerie storm away with her squared, tensed shoulders. I felt her pulse racing. She must have been in shock, and it was quite different from what I expected.
Unfortunately for her, whether she liked it or not, a new bond had snapped into place and she was mine.
I knew it the moment I saw her in that hallway; that second our wolves synced. But unlike the others, I wasn't shocked.
I had already felt it before. A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I leaned against the locker, watching her retreat.
This is going to be fun.
I ran a hand through my silver hair, exhaling. "Now, Father… how do you feel about your son being mated to the one person who might burn everything down?"
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~Valerie's POV – After Lectures~
By the time classes were over, my nerves were fried. Four mate bonds. Fucking four!
I needed out and it wasn't helping that I was nearing my heat cycle and my pheromone was getting harder to suppress. Who was I kidding? I did not have much control in the first place. That was the reason my uncle made the necklace.
Ignoring the lingering stares, I headed straight to my dorm. The moment I stepped inside, I froze.
Three girls sat on the kitchen aisle. One of them was Isla.
"Hey, Isla. What's up?"
Isla blinked, clearly surprised to see me there. I almost forgot this would happen. I had been too busy wrapped in my own world to imagine their reaction when my roommates finally saw me.
Isla swallowed before her eyes flicked to the golden nameplate on my door.
And then—she laughed.
"Well, well, well," she grinned. "Looks like we're roommates, Nightshade."
"I knew already," I added with a smile.
"Ahem…" one of the girls with Isla cleared her throat.
The other two girls—Emerald and Astraea—stood beside her, both watching me with curiosity. I did not know who was who until Isla, being so kind, introduced us.
"Valerie," Isla announced, gesturing between us. "Meet Emerald." She pointed to the girl with wavy strawberry-blonde hair. "And Astraea." Her gaze landed on the brown-haired girl with a streak of white hair by her left-hand side.
They both nodded in greeting.
"Welcome to the dorm," Emerald said, smirking. "We don't usually get new people in senior year."
Astraea crossed her arms. "Or ones that stir up as much chaos as you have in a single day."
I sighed. "Yeah, well, it's been a long week."
"It hasn't even been two days, babe," Isla teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Where were you guys yesterday?"
As if on cue, they exchanged guilty glances. Emerald coughed. "We… had things to do."
Astraea smirked. "Personal business."
I arched a brow. Right. "That's against school rules, isn't it?"
Emerald shrugged. "Rules are flexible when you know how to bend them."
I smiled. "Good to know."
I liked them already because, thanks to my revenge plan, I needed to bend a few rules and couldn't have any goody-two-shoes-perfect student telling on me.
Still, I was exhausted.
"Well," I said, stretching, "I need a bath and some peace."
"Enjoy," Isla called as I grabbed my things. Oh, and would you like to have dinner with us?"
I halted mid-turn, smiled over my shoulder, and nodded. "With you girls, I thought you'd never ask."
I winked, turned, and left, overhearing Emerald's voice. "I like her already. Thankfully she ain't a stuck-up bitch."
I shook my head. If only she knew what a wild case I was. I stepped into my bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the tension of the day.
By the time I was done, I wrapped my body in a towel and let my damp hair fall freely on my shoulders as I sat at my desk.
A lot had happened today with the Alpha Kings' heirs. Who would have thought that the five regions would be linked this way? Just then a memory crossed my mind.
"I can only help a bit. The necklace would mask her scent and suppress her heat. But when she meets her mate… I'm sorry, but it would either be a mess or a save."
I sighed. Just as she had said. However, right now, I needed something to keep this heat in check because I have no plan of mating with all four alphas.
And then one thing stuck in my mind. My necklace. I reached for it instinctively—only to remember it was gone.
My jaw tightened. That thief had taken it after he stabbed me. The second he did, I turned around, but he quickly blew a white powdery substance on my face. I was faster, and he smacked his hand in time.
It must have been then that he stole my necklace. But what he didn't know was that my necklace was trackable.
I powered up my new laptop. Thankfully, Ryan already installed everything I needed and didn't give me a blank laptop. Immediately, I went online and straight into Starlight's social dark site, my fingers flying over the keys.
A smirk curled my lips. "Time to hunt you down, scumbag."