My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Tour and Dinner

***************** 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Chapter 257

~Valerie’s POV~

PROFESSOR WINNIE: Everyone, return to the hotel’s west entrance by 4 p.m. sharp. The orientation walk begins in 15 minutes.

Dristan stood first, brushing sand off his jeans. "Saved by the ping."

I chuckled, sliding my phone back in my hoodie. "Looks like the tour waits for no one."

He held out a hand. "Come on. I’ll walk you back."

I took it as warm fingers curled around mine, and for a bit longer, I let them stay there.

"Hey," Dristan added casually as we neared the edge of the courtyard, "Soren says hi, by the way."

I blinked. Then, smiled.

A small one at first, curling at the corner of my lips, then wider. "Really?"

He nodded, his eyes flicking toward me. "Yeah. Said your wolf’s got a mean growl but a beautiful aura."

I laughed. "Typical Astra. She’s not good at soft."

"She doesn’t need to be," he replied. "Soren likes her wild."

That pulled another smile from me. For a moment, it felt like a version of us from before the drama—before fate wrapped everything in knots.

"You know," Dristan continued as we stepped out of the park and onto the main road, "I was thinking... we should go for a run. Just you and me for a little shift. No rules or voices. Just instinct and the wind."

I stopped walking and turned slowly towards Dristan. He had that genuine smile on his face.

"No."

Drisan blinked, clearly caught off guard. "No?"

"No," I repeated firmly, then walked past him without giving him a chance to follow up.

Whatever that run might turn into... I wasn’t ready for it yet nor was I about to let Astra answer for me.

We strolled back toward the hotel just as the sun dipped lower into the hills, painting the sky in deep amber and violet.

Dristan walked beside me, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other swinging just close enough that our fingers brushed every few steps.

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t need to say anything.

As we rounded the corner and the grand steps of the hotel came into view, voices filtered down from the lobby entrance.

The other students were already gathered in groups, laughing, joking, adjusting their outfits, or struggling to repack their travel backpacks.

Emerald waved the second she saw me. "There you are!"

I gave her a small smile. "We didn’t get lost," I offered as Dristan and I made our way up the steps.

"You both look flushed," Astraea commented, arching a brow.

"We were... walking," I answered quickly.

Dristan said nothing, only smirked.

"Alright, everyone, let’s move!" Professor Winnie’s voice cut through the air like a bell. "Back into the bus. This tour isn’t going to run itself!"

Groans echoed around us, but one by one, the students filed in.

The moment I stepped onto the bus, my heart thudded.

I didn’t hesitate this time. I slid into the same seat I’d used earlier—except now, I left the space beside me open.

Dristan raised a brow as he stepped in behind me.

"Well?" I asked, patting the seat lightly. "Gonna stand there looking awkward?"

We passed a marketplace, bright with string lights and stalls full of trinkets. The smell of roasted almonds drifted in through the window. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Final stop before dinner," Miss Auri announced. "A quick pause outside the Hall of Glass—a restored structure once used by the First Sorceress Assembly. You have ten minutes."

We all lined up for photos, stretching our limbs and posing in front of the ornate glass building.

I stood slightly off to the side, taking in the way light reflected across the transparent domes, when Dristan came to stand beside me again.

"You good?" he asked.

"Surprisingly, yes."

He smiled down at me. "Glad I asked?"

"Yes. Even though you caught me in a towel."

"Best moment of the trip for now, hands down."

I elbowed him lightly.

Back on the bus, the air had shifted—lighter, more playful. A few of the guys were teasing Erik for mistaking the glass museum gift shop for a restroom.

Then, finally, dinner.

The restaurant was built into the side of a hill, with a panoramic glass wall that overlooked the glowing Veradin skyline.

Tables had already been reserved, and soon everyone was seated in small clusters.

Emerald, Astraea, Isla and I grabbed a corner booth. Dristan ended up directly across from me, seated between Kai, Xade and Axel.

He met my eyes once during the meal. Held it and didn’t look away.

It wasn’t until dessert arrived—strawberry panna cotta, soft and smooth—and I accidentally dropped my spoon.

"You’re distracted," Isla whispered, nudging me.

"Shut up," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat up as Isla smirked in return.