My Alphas' Dark Desires

Chapter 257: Tour and Dinner

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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?"

His grin was genuine. "I was waiting for the invitation."

He dropped into the seat beside me just as the doors shut behind the last student.

Our tour guide, a sharply dressed woman named Miss Auri with a mic clipped to her ear, stepped forward from the front of the bus.

"Alright, lovely students of Prestige Supernatural Academy," she began with a polished smile. "Welcome to the walking—well, rolling—history of Veradin City. For the next hour, you’ll see iconic landmarks, cultural sights, and more statues than you probably care to count. Stay seated, keep your voices low, and listen for cues when we exit the bus later."

A few students clapped, mostly in an ironic manner.

The bus pulled out onto the cobblestone roads, and the tour began.

Miss Auri pointed out ancient stone watchtowers, the white-domed halls of the Sorcery Council, and murals that stretched entire blocks depicting great battles and moments of peace.

"You know," Dristan leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "I never thought I’d enjoy a field trip this much."

I smiled without looking at him. "That’s because you’re sitting beside me."

"Oh? So you admit I’m the highlight?"

"I admit nothing," I said, but the grin on my face betrayed me.

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

"Okay, I might need to sneak out later and buy those," I whispered.

Dristan chuckled. "Done. You point, I pay."

"You know, for a guy who used to threaten to throw people across rooms, you’re surprisingly charming."

He turned his head slightly toward me, his voice softer now. "Maybe that’s because you’re the only person who ever saw more in me than the title."

My breath caught. I looked away, suddenly fascinated by the sidewalk.

The bus kept rolling.

Thirty minutes later, the sun was nearly gone, replaced by golden streetlights and the first hints of evening chill.

"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. noveldrama

"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.