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My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 143: Nightshade Searching Nightshade
Chapter 143: Nightshade Searching Nightshade
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Chapter 143
~Valerie’s POV~
Sneaking out of PSA wasn’t hard. Not with Solstice preoccupied, charming her new roommates.
Thankfully, I didn’t spill more than what I mentioned earlier. She was my cousin, but sometimes, only a secret kept with one remains a secret.
I didn’t tell her I was leaving. She’d want to tag along, and this... this wasn’t something I could risk with her flair for the dramatics.
This wasn’t just curiosity anymore.
It was personal.
The streets were quieter tonight, cloaked in soft fog and the hum of late-hour city noise. My hoodie was drawn low, and I kept to the side alleys as I made my way toward the old club where I had gone to in search of my necklace.
That place—it wasn’t ordinary. There was something off about it, and I was going to find out what.
I slipped through the side door like I belonged there.
The scent of smoke and alcohol clung thick to the air. Music vibrated faintly through the walls, but the bar was slightly emptier than before. Perfect.
I spotted the same bartender from the last time—slick hair, sharp hands that was an expert in his service, and eyes that darted too much for someone paid to look cool.
I stepped up to the bar, casually.
"Hey,’ I said coolly.
He blinked and took half a step back. "You... you came back?"
"We meet again," I said coolly.
I slid a folded bill onto the counter. "Relax. I just want to talk."
He hesitated, and I dropped another bill.
Then his fingers twitched as he wiped them clean on a white napkin. "What do you want?"
I leaned in, keeping my voice low. "I’m not gonna beat around the bush." He nodded, pressing his lips together and pushing it to the side. "Tell me about the Nightshade Thorn Emblem."
That name changed him.
He stiffened immediately, shoulders going rigid as his mouth pressed into a thin line. "Where did you hear that?"
"That’s not your concern. Just answer."
He opened his mouth, words trembling on the edge of his tongue. "The Nightshade Thorn you seek—"
"I don’t know which of these I should be more concerned with," came a familiar voice behind me and I froze.
My spine stiffened.
Shit! No. No, no, no.
I turned, already knowing that scent—dark pine and controlled power, wrapped in a storm.
Dristan.
His eyes met mine, but they were as cold as ever and they burned, not with heat, but with some emotion I couldn’t place.
His arms were folded across his chest as he stepped forward, his presence swallowing the entire corner of the club.
"And that is?" I asked, trying to act unaffected.
"The fact that you snuck out of school..." he paused, tilting his head slightly, "or the fact that you’re asking about the Nightshade Thorn Group."
My breath hitched briefly and the memory of the courtyard replayed in my mind. My eyes narrowed on his appearance, all black trousers, an inner shirt and a leather jacket.
He’d have fitted in a spy movie if his golden blond hair had not singled him out.
Way to blend in, Drist.
"So you do know them?"
"That depends," he answered casually, his gaze flickering around before landing on my head.
"On?"
"On why you’re looking for them," he said, stepping closer.
I shrugged. "Nothing serious. Just curious."
He gave me a look so sharp I almost flinched. "Your surname is Nightshade," he said pointedly. "And yet you’re looking into a group with that name as if it’s nothing? That’s suspicious, even for you."
"Think what you want," I retorted and looked away, taking my attention back to the bartender, turning fully, but Dristan extended an arm, stopping me.
"What now?" I rolled my eyes.
"Tell me why you’re interested."
I leaned against the bar, lifting my drink slowly. "No. Pass."
"Valerie."
I glanced at him through my lashes. "Why don’t you tell me why you’re here first? What, you followed me? Or are you always lurking behind people’s backs?"
"Is that the tone you use to interrogate people?"
"Why? Is it working on you, oh great, cold-hearted Alpha King heir?" I whispered just for him in a reverent manner, but I bet he couldn’t miss the venom and heat in my tone.
He smirked. "Yes."
The word hit harder than it should have. His eyes gleamed slightly as he added, "So next time you need to ask questions, come to me."
"Why?" I snapped. "So you can bury the truth?"
"Pardon?"
Before I could snap again, he stepped forward, grabbed my arm, and turned me gently but firmly to face him.
"Tell me the truth. Why are you here?"
My mouth opened, but the lie caught in my throat.
"I..." I swallowed when he gazed at me deeply, and I could almost swear I saw his eye colour change but they reverted to their blue ones. "I once read about the group. Saw it online once. I thought I’d chase the mystery. It... helps me forget."
"Forget what?" he asked softly.
"From..." I hesitated, then sighed. "From you." freewebnøvel.coɱ
His eyes darkened. There was suspicion there."So I am your distraction."
I didn’t answer.
He lifted my chin with two fingers, forcing my eyes back on his. "Why?" Dristan whispered,. "You feel this, too. Don’t you?"
His nose brushed mine. Too close and intimate.
It was dangerous. Quickly, my brain tried to use anything to distract myself and him. Then I recalled and anger laced my voice.
I tried to stay still. Tried to keep my voice calm.
But Dristan’s proximity—his touch, his voice, the way he looked at me like he saw more than I was ready to give—rattled something inside me.
And it made me mad.
"You’re really doing this?" I asked, my voice low but sharp. "Now?"
He tilted his head, confusion flickering in his eyes.
"Earlier today, you acted like I didn’t exist. Cold. Ice-cold. Like I was nothing."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And now you’re here," I continued, my throat tightening. "Following me. Getting close. Touching me. Like none of that happened. So which is it, Dristan?" I shoved at his chest, just enough to put space between us. "Was I beneath you then, or are you just bored now?"
His jaw flexed. "That’s not what it was."
I folded my arms. "Then what was it? Hm? Because I’m really trying to understand how you go from ignoring someone like they’re trash beneath your boots to looking at them like this."
He hesitated—just for a breath—but I saw it.
"It’s complicated," he finally said, too calmly.
I laughed, the sound coming off humourless. "Of course it is." I shook my head. "That’s a very convenient word for men like you, isn’t it?"
Dristan stepped forward again, expression darkening. "I wasn’t trying to hurt you."
"But you did." My voice cracked softly. "You didn’t even look at me. Like you were ashamed of me being there."
His eyes snapped up to mine. And this time, the silence between us was heavier. I held his gaze anyway, even when it stung.
Because I wasn’t going to pretend tonight not when I was chasing ghosts.
Not when he was standing there, acting like he could reach into my chest and rearrange everything I’d barely held together.
His hand twitched at his side like he wanted to reach for me again.
But I stepped back.
And for once... he didn’t stop me.
"So tell me, what do I feel? Your shame of me or...?"