<h4>Chapter 41: Distinguished Guests</h4>


    <strong>*****************</strong>


    <strong>Chapter 41</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~</strong>


    "<strong>Enough!</strong>"


    My voice rang out, sharp and loud, cutting through the chaos like a de. Everyone froze.


    My heart thundered in my chest, lungs burning, brain screaming. I didn’t know if I was about to cry, shift, or just explode into pieces from all of this.


    And frankly, I me one person.


    <Valerie: You, author.>


    <Author: *Blinks*>


    I turned in a full circle, eyes wild as I faced all of them. Every single one.


    Dristan, whose cyan blue eyes still glowed with barely held rage, Kai, standing beside him, fuming. Axel and Xade, tense and ready to jump with Xade, smirking but on edge.


    Ace and Ash, the twin Lycans radiating sheer power—dangerous and beautiful in a way that made my stomach twist.


    And finally, him.


    The Dragon.


    He stood at the center now, arms still slightly raised after shoving both Ash and Dristan away like they were nothing. Nothing. And they let him. No one questioned it.


    That’s how much power he had.


    I let out a shaky breath and ran a hand down my face. "I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with this—with you. I’ve had one hell of a night and now I’ve got six wolves iming me as their mate." My voice cracked, and I hated that it did.


    "I don’t even know half of your names," I snapped, "and yet, somehow—somehow, you’re all standing here like you own me. Like I’m a prize to fight over!"


    Silence ensued as all the guys red at each other, but I didn’t mind. They could shoot daggers through their eyes and aim for their foreheads for all I cared, and it wouldn’t matter to me.


    Even the air seemed to stop moving.


    "I never asked for this," I whispered, my hands trembling now. "Six. Six mates. Are you kidding me? Do you know what that feels like?"


    No one answered. Astra was silent too, her energy curled tightly inside me.


    "I’ve barely gotten used to the idea of one mate," I said, softer now. "One. And yet, here we are... with six men—all of you powerful and dangerous—yet none of you can even take one step back and let me breathe."


    My voice wavered. "I am not a thing. I’m not your property. So if any of you—anyone—want a chance at being part of my life, you’re gonna start by respecting my space. But if not, if you still choose to be dollopheads with this, then yes. I’d happily choose the other option and reject you all."


    I could see the shock sh in their eyes. If it were any other day, they’d happily tell me to refute my words, but nah.


    Dristan’s jaw clenched, but he lowered his eyes.


    Ace and Ash exchanged a nce, and slowly, their red irises dimmed.


    The others followed.


    Even the Dragon, who hadn’t said a word since stepping in, lowered his arms and gave me the tiniest nod of approval.


    My breath escaped in one long rush, like I’d been holding it in forever.


    "I didn’t choose this," I whispered, my gaze flicking between them. "None of this is fair. So before any of you start marking territory or throwing fists, think<i>.</i>"


    Silence.


    Even Astra was quiet inside me.


    I backed away slowly. "I’m going to ss. We all are. And after that... we’re probably going to figure this out. Like adults. Or wolves. Whatever. Just... no more pissing contests. Please."


    I turned on my heel and walked away. I didn’t wait to see if they followed or dispersed. My heart thundered, my head spun, and every instinct screamed at me that this was just the beginning.


    Six mates.


    <strong><i>Six.</i></strong>


    One of them had just gone head-to-head with Dristan. And something told me this school year was about to be a warzone.


    "Goddess help me," I muttered under my breath.


    And Astra whispered back, "<i>She already did."</i>


    <i>"Just pretend to feel my pain for once, will you?"</i>


    <i>"Maybe."</i>


    I didn’t reply her anymore. I just kept walking. Because if I turned back—even once—I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep moving.


    And thest thing I needed was to fall for six pairs of eyes staring at me like I was the center of their universe.


    Hell no! Not today.


    As the bell rang across the Academy grounds, signalling the first period, a sharp,manding voice echoed through the enchanted PA system, carrying the principal’s voice straight into every hallway, courtyard, and ssroom.


    <strong>"All senior year students are to report immediately to the training field for their first TAF session. That is all."</strong>


    The announcement ended on a firm note, and I didn’t wait a second longer. I turned halfway, not bothering to meet anyone’s gaze, and made a beeline for the locker room to change.


    I barely had the door open when I and Emerald followed in right behind me, slightly breathless and definitely confused.


    Emerald blinked at me. "You know we were waiting for you, right?"


    "I’m sorry," I said quickly, guilt prickling my chest. "I figured after the principal’s announcement, it’d be faster toe straight here and catch you both instead of detouring to ss and maybe missing you."


    Emerald looked like she wanted to argue—of course, she did—but I stepped in smoothly.


    "No problem," she said, already walking over to her locker. "Since we’re here now, let’s just change and head out."


    Within minutes, we were all in our training outfits. I and Emerald wore their usual sleek dark training gear, whichplemented their movement and agility.


    I pulled on my fitted ck leather pants and a simple ck tank top. Then I took a moment to weave my hair back into a tight ponytail, twist it up and around into a knot, and clip it in ce.


    Functional, fast, no nonsense.


    The second we stepped out of the locker room, the same familiar and annoying voice reached me.


    "Looking good, Nightshade."


    Marcus.


    He leaned casually against a wall by the boy’s locker room like he didn’t have a care in the world, eyes sparkling with mischief and that stupid grin on his face. I didn’t even nce his way. I just kept walking.


    "Let’s go, girls," I said, and both I and Emerald fell in step beside me.


    By the time we reached the main training field, the ce was already buzzing with energy. Senior year students were scattered across the vast open grounds, eventually falling into neat, straight lines under their respective Guild and n banners.


    The morning sun gleamed off polished weapons and armour. Hums filled the air in anticipation, the tension just a little more than usual.


    And then, silence. Principal Whitmore arrived, stepping up onto the raised podium that overlooked the field.


    But she wasn’t alone.


    Four others followed her—four striking figures who drew every eye without even trying.


    My breath caught slightly. Of course, it was them.


    "Good morning, young warriors," Principal Whitmore called out clearly, her voicemanding attention.


    "Morning, ma’am," we all chorused in unison.


    Her gaze swept over the crowd. "First of all, I would like to begin with a warning. We know some of you have taken a liking to sneaking out of school during odd hours. Up until now, we have been lenient."


    Her tone dropped, colder now.


    "But that grace has expired. From this moment forward, anyone found viting school security will face serious consequences. Expulsion will be on the table."


    A ripple of murmurs broke out across the students, anxious and a little scandalized, but it died just as fast when Dristan stepped forward two steps from the crowd and raised a single hand.


    Silence followed.


    Principal Whitmore nodded approvingly and continued. "And for my second announcement..."


    She paused, the corners of her mouth lifting in what could only be described as pride.


    "It is with great joy that I inform you all that four distinguished guests will join this year’s senior ss. Royals from allied kingdoms who will train and graduate alongside you."


    She turned slightly, gesturing toward the figures beside her.


    "Please wee Ace Kaine Kaid and Ashton Kyle Kaid, the twin Lycan princes."


    Gasps echoed through the field as the two stepped forward. They were powerful, elegant, and unmistakably royal, but their eyes were locked on me.


    "To my right," the principal continued, "is Xander Draco, the Dragon Prince."


    He gave a casual nod, his eyes scanning the crowd with mild interest, as if we were all just entertainment for him. And when it settled on me, he smirked.


    "Andstly, Titania Estre Sage, Princess of the Fae Court."


    A soft golden glow surrounded her as she stepped forward, her presence like moonlight and danger wrapped in velvet.


    They stood there, side by side. The heirs. The monsters. The mysteries.


    And for some insane reason... all four of them were staring right at me.


    And as if on cue, I felt four extra pairs of eyes directed at me from every angle in the training field. No doubt they were, <i>you know who.</i>


    I had one question, though.


    <i>Why?</i>