My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Settling In

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Chapter 255

~Valerie’s POV~

The hours passed in a blur of roads and fading city lines. I must’ve dozed off somewhere along the way, because by the time I opened my eyes again, the sun had dipped halfway across the sky.

The air changed, and the engine slowed. The bus finally pulled to a stop.

Outside the windows, the skyline was different from what I was used to in Starcity, new, expansive.

Mountains in the distance, tall pine trees dotting the road, and a warm, golden glow falling across the pavement as we rolled into a cleaner, quieter place.

"Welcome," a voice called from the front.

It was Professor Winnie, our Biology teacher.

She stood at the centre of the gathering crowd after we’d all disembarked, clipboard in hand and a breezy energy that didn’t match how much her heels were sinking into the earth.

"Welcome to Graymist Wilderness Reserve, nestled right here in the heart of Veradin City. You’ll find your rooms inside this lovely hotel—" she gestured to the sleek, glass-panelled building behind her. "We’ll check in now, rest, and return in an hour sharp, at 4 p.m., for our orientation walk and dinner."

Bags rustled, groans and chatter buzzed around me as everyone started moving toward the lobby.

I followed the crowd inside with my headset partly still covering my ears, while walking side by side with Xander.

The hotel lobby smelled like lavender, all marble floors and chandelier lighting that looked like it belonged in a royal palace rather than a student trip accommodation.

"Damn," Astraea whispered beside me. "This place screams money."

Professor Winnie handed out key cards in groups, rattling off numbers while assistants pointed toward the elevators. "Four students per suite. Respect your space, don’t trash the place, and no—absolutely no—room swapping unless approved."

Naturally, room swapping began the second she turned her back.

I ended up in Room 704 with Isla, Emerald, and Astraea. The suite was massive—two king-sized beds separated by a golden curtain, with plush lounge chairs, a balcony overlooking a garden pool, and a walk-in bathroom that made me momentarily forget every ounce of academy stress.

"Okay, this might be the only part of this trip I’m excited for," Emerald said as she dove into the bed closest to the window.

I rolled my suitcase to the corner beside the other bed and started unpacking.

Isla and Astraea claimed the second bed together while I shared with Emerald.

Across the hall, the chaos was louder.

"Kai, you snore like a bear!"

"You liars... No worse than you hogging the covers, Axel."

The boys had been crammed into Room 705. Kai, Axel, Dristan, and Ace—until Ace noticed that Ash had been separated from him.

"Oh hell no," Ash barked. "Not doing this trip without my idiot twin."

Within minutes, Ace was swapping with Xade from Room 706, who simply shrugged and tossed his key to Ash without question.

"Godspeed," Xade said with a lazy grin.

That left Room 706 with Ash, Ace, Xander and Riven—a dynamic I was sure would probably explode or form some chaotic alliance.

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