My Alphas' Dark Desires

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~Valerie's POV~

Branches scraped my arms and face again. I wasn't even sure if my legs were still moving out of adrenaline or sheer desperation, but I kept going.

I could barely breathe. Mud splattered my face and chest. My chest ached. My hands were trembling from the fight. But I didn't stop.

I broke through the last line of trees just as my foot landed on something soft.

Too soft.

The ground gave way beneath me before I could react.

I crashed down a short but steep slope, landing hard on my side. The wind rushed out of my lungs and for a second, all I could hear was my own heartbeat pounding in my ears followed by a sharp ringing sound.

When I finally looked up, I saw it.

A larger stream cut through the clearing ahead, wide and glittering faintly under the moonlight.

The water rushed gently over smooth stones, surrounded by tall wild reeds and moss-covered rocks.

Trees lined the edge, but one in particular stood out—an old, gnarled oak, its roots twisted like fingers gripping the earth.

I stumbled toward it with uneven steps. My wig was barely hanging on now, smeared in mud, twigs, and dried leaves. I reached up and tugged it off with a heavy breath, ignoring the sharp pull on my scalp thanks to the little sewing I did.

I stared at it in my hands. There was no one here. I exhaled, lifting my head to let the Moonlight bathe me in its glory.

All around me, silence hit me first—no howls or footsteps.

Then I heard it.

A soft, musical chime from the enchanted time orb hanging by the bonfire, far in the distance.

The hour was over.

I did it.

"I can't do this again," I breathed, almost laughing, almost crying.

I dropped to my knees by the stream, still clutching the tangled wig. I dipped it into the water, letting the mud and grime swirl away downstream. My fingers lingered on it for a second before setting it down beside me.

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the dye bottle. My fingers trembled as I examined the sleek label, the markings glowing faintly under moonlight.

It was one of the expensive ones. Magical, even. Designed not to stain skin or permanently alter hair colour unless activated by a specific phrase. Solstice must've taken into proper consideration my initial fear.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. She always said, "Just use the dye, Val. Wigs are for queens in disguise. You're not hiding—you're shining."

I twisted the cap off and stood, slowly making my way to the river's edge.

The water was cold but calming. I leaned forward and stared at my reflection.

Silver hair stared back at me. It shimmered under the moonlight, streaked with blue and violet at the tips. Soft, elegant strands that blended like the fading hues of twilight.

It looked wild and messy, but it was all mine… all me. My biggest identity as Valerie, Sapphire, Violet Snow, daughter of Alpha Snow Zephyr, the Southern Heiress.

A lump formed in my throat as I held the dye bottle tighter.

And then I remembered her.

My mother.

I was seven. She'd pull me onto her lap every night before bed, running a carved comb through my hair. Her hands were always gentle, her voice always soft.

"You're my little sapphire violet star," she'd whisper with every stroke. "Even when the skies are dark, you shine, Valerie."

She'd braid it, sometimes weave tiny flowers into it, other times lay my circlet over the crown of my head. It didn't matter how tired she was or how late it was—she always found time for that.

My hands shook as I applied the dye, gently streaking it over my hair and coating the edges in black. The colour shimmered faintly as it settled into place, burying who I was.

A tear slipped down my cheek. Maybe from exhaustion or from remembering.

I did not know. Maybe because it was the first time in a long time I actually saw myself.

Not the Luna-to-be. Not the mate of six powerful alphas. Not the girl constantly being hunted, chased, or questioned.

Just Valerie, her mother's daughter. Her father's pride and jewel and her Uncle's sword of vengeance. A star in her own right.

Some minutes must have passed since I finished applying the dye. My scalp tingled faintly from the enchantments woven into the formula, but I didn't mind.

The river's current was cold as I gently dipped my head beneath it, letting the water rinse everything away—mud, sweat, dye... the girl I had been before this chase.

When I emerged from the stream, drenched and breathless, I didn't see the same Valerie I'd been an hour ago. What stared back at me from the water's reflection was who my revenge had made me into.

I spent the next couple of minutes squeezing out my clothes as best I could.

The breeze chilled me through the wet fabric, but I didn't stop. I wrung out my shirt, slicked my hair back, then began the slow walk back to camp.

My boots squelched with every step, and the distant crackle of the bonfire pulled me onward. I wanted a hot drink, a blanket, a hot shower—anything to erase the cold biting at my skin.

After some minutes of walking back… I reached the camp we made, but then, I heard whispers.

Low, hushed voices drifted from the left. I froze, instincts kicking in immediately.

I crouched low, moving silently toward the source of the sound. The shapes of four students came into view just behind a tree.

I crept closer, just enough to hear.. For me, I wanted to know what's been going on since I ran off, but what I heard instead…

"There's no way she'd survive it. One of them must've gutted her down."

Avery, that venom-laced voice was unmistakable. That same bitch who I had switched clans with during the first day in the Alpha forge game. She did say she was going to get back at me.

I clenched my fists and turned to leave, not interested in hearing more of her bile, when I heard another familiar voice.

"I paid one of the wolves," another girl said. "And after multiplying her name in the box with fae magic, it was only a matter of time before she got picked. The rest? Easy. Just set the little thief running."

Titania. Her laugh was shrill and sharp, like a blade dragged against stone.

My stomach twisted. This соntеnt оriginаtеs frоm М1VLЕМРYR, Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе.

The other two voices joined in, equally vile.

"I wish she would just die already."

Brielle.

"I can't wait until the big reveal when everyone sees she's a fraud," Lucy sneered. "A liar. A mistake. I bet she faked the matebond too. Maybe she's a witch, with how she's got all those alphas wrapped around her little finger."

I stood frozen in the dark, eyes wide.

Their words didn't sting. It just burned something deeper. I could've stormed out, confronted them, snapped—but I didn't.

They weren't worth it.

I turned and walked away. I didn't have the energy to deal with cowards tonight. I just wanted clean clothes, warm air, and a bed.

But just as I stepped into the firelight of the camp, another voice cut the air—clear and absurd enough to stop me cold.

"There she is," someone called, their voice syrupy sweet and mocking. "Valerie Snow is back."

My spine stiffened.

What?

"Or should I say," she continued, louder now, addressing the entire camp, "Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow. Heiress of the Southern Region. The daughter of the Southern Alpha King himself has returned."

I turned my head slowly, and that's when I saw her.

She stood at the edge of the bonfire circle, her eyes gleaming, a cruel smirk stretching across her lips as she pulled down her hoodie.

Astraea.