Alpha of My Heart

Chapter 10

Valeria walked briskly back toward the grand hall, her heart still pounding from the encounter in the rose garden. The words Tristan had spoken haunted her thoughts like a relentless echo: "You’re my mate."

Mate? Ridiculous. Preposterous. Impossible.

She shoved the heavy doors open, the murmurs of the crowd inside instantly swallowing the silence of the corridor. No one seemed to notice her brief absence, and that was exactly how she liked it.

"Val! Over here!" Ember waved from across the room, seated near a long, ornate table littered with glasses of crimson punch and glimmering crystal platters. She scooted over, making room.

Valeria slid into the seat next to her. "What did I miss?"

"Not much. The host's about to start the introductions. You okay?"

Valeria offered a tight smile. "I’m fine."

Just then, a tall man with graying temples and a commanding aura walked to the center of the room and tapped a golden chalice with a fork. The soft chime hushed the hall.

"Welcome, freshmen," the man announced, his voice echoing across the high vaulted ceiling. "I am Steven, your host tonight, and proud head of the Academia’s Peace Council. Tonight, we celebrate not just the 150th anniversary of the Peace Alliance between all paranormal species, but the future—you."

A wave of applause followed, respectful and mild.

"As tradition dictates," Steven continued, "we begin with introductions. Who you are. Where you hail from. What powers you wield, if you’re willing to share."

A ripple of nervous excitement passed through the crowd. Valeria scanned the room, taking silent inventory. She could spot the vampires easily, elegant, poised, eyes too bright. The werewolves, bigger in stature, louder in energy. The witches and wizards, always with subtle glows or trinkets dangling from robes. The faes shimmered. The hellhounds, well...they just looked like they were ready to burn the place down.

One by one, students began stepping up to the small stage, introducing themselves. Finally, it was Natasha’s turn.

"I’m Natasha of the Northern Coven," she said with a smirk. Her long black braid swung as she moved. "I specialize in levitation and paralysis magic. I once made a teacher float in midair for three days after he gave me a B+."

Laughter erupted from the crowd. All eyes turned instinctively to Valeria. She looked down, her jaw tightening. The witch stepped down from the stage with a triumphant saunter, eyes gleaming as they locked onto Valeria.

Steven clapped lightly. "Thank you, Natasha. Next up... Tristan."

Valeria's stomach flipped.

Tristan walked onto the stage like he owned it. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on Valeria.

"My name’s Tristan," he said. "Werewolf. And not just any kind. Apart from the usual package, heightened senses, strength, speed, I have one unique ability. I can nullify the powers of any non-werewolf creature within a certain radius."

Gasps and murmurs surged through the hall. Valeria's eyes widened. Ember clutched her arm.

"He’s your partner, right?" Ember whispered.

Valeria said nothing.

Tristan stepped down casually. His gaze never wavered from Valeria’s face.

Steven scanned his list. "Valeria Valemont."

The name hit the room like a dropped dagger. The vampires in the crowd howled and clapped with wild excitement. A few stood.

"Royalty in the house!"

"Let’s hear it, Vampire Princess!"

Valeria closed her eyes for half a second before rising to her feet. She walked to the stage, head high, ignoring the cheers.

"My name is Valeria Valemont," she said calmly. "Daughter of the Valemont House. That’s all you need to know about me."

A collective hush fell. Steven raised a brow. "And your powers?"

Valeria glanced around. Her lips curled into a faint smile. "I prefer to keep those... private for now."

She stepped down. The murmurs began at once.

"Did she just...?"

"Who does she think she is?"

Before she reached her seat, a sharp voice rang out.

"Keeping secrets already, Vampire? Maybe you're not as powerful as you pretend to be."

Valeria turned slowly to see Natasha, the black witch, standing with her arms crossed.

"Maybe you're just scared."

Valeria raised an eyebrow. "Scared of what? A broom-waving brat who thinks levitating people makes her special?"

The crowd gasped, then burst into laughter.

Natasha snarled and raised her hand. "You want to find out what else I can do?"

But before any spell could form, three vampire students lunged forward. "Don’t you dare threaten her!"

Chaos exploded in an instant. Spells and shrieks filled the hall as students scrambled.

Steven shouted, "Enough! Everyone stand down!"

But the fight only escalated.