<h4>Chapter 249: Teasing Roommates</h4>


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    <strong>Chapter 249</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~ </strong>


    "What?" I mumbled into the couch as I groaned and sat up to look at her.


    "Oh, don’t y dumb, girl. The tall one. ck shirt, silver streak in his hair, killer jawline. Looked like he just stepped out of a fantasy novel."


    Before I could say anything, I walked out from the kitchen with wide, wild eyes.


    "Wait. He kissed you?"


    I fell back and covered my face with a throw pillow.


    This was going to be a long night.


    "Oh,e on, give us some good gist," Astraea chimed, practically bouncing on the edge of her seat. "Emerald has finally gotten herself a lover. I almost thought you’d graduate without finding one," Astraea said in one go.


    "Guys," I mumbled through the fabric, "can we not make this a thing?"


    "Oh, it’s already a thing," I said, crossing her arms with a grin. "Especially if he kissed you <i>in </i>public. That means he’s either bold... or serious."


    "Or both," Astraea added, nudging me with her foot.


    Just then, the door clicked open and Valerie stepped in, kicking off her shoes and looking more rxed than I’d seen her in a while. But that didn’tst long.


    "Oh hey, Val," I said with a sly smile. "Just in time. We were talking about Emerald and her mysterious new love interest."


    Valerie’s brow lifted in interest as she set her bag down. "Oh? Who’s the lucky guy?"


    I groaned again. "She’s only interested because it takes the heat off her for once."


    Valerie blinked. "Hey! That’s not true... okay, maybe a little."


    "You literally kissed your mates in the hallway," I said, not even bothering to sugarcoat it.


    Her eyes widened. "Wait... you saw that?"


    "Mates?" I gasped. "Hold on, hold on. Who and who? You’re finally talking to them?"


    "Oh, she’s doing more than talking, alright," I added with a smirk. "Trust me."


    Valerie’s cheeks flushed immediately. "You guys are the worst."


    "Point of correction, missy," Astraea said dramatically, "we are the best. This is bonding, babes."


    The room was filled withughter and yful teasing, bouncing around like little sparks of magic. It felt... cosy, rxing, like a moment of peace that none of us knew we had been craving.


    Then, like wolves smelling blood, I narrowed her eyes at Astraea. "Alright, your turn, sunshine. What about your mate, or should I say, mates?"


    Astraea didn’t flinch. In fact, she looked downright smug. "I haven’t met my fated mate yet," she said casually, "but I am currently screwing with someone."


    "Someone?" I arched a brow. "Meaning... singr?"


    Astraea’s grin stretched. "Well... two, actually."


    Silence filled the room.... I mean total silence.


    Valerie and I blinked at her in unison.


    "What?" I asked slowly.


    "Wait, a minute," Valerie echoed. "You’re screwing with two guys or you’re screwing two guys?"


    "Screwing with, screwing them, anyone," Astraea replied,pletely unbothered.


    "Do we know them?" I asked, her eyes wide and gleaming with anticipation.


    Astraea nced between us before speaking like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Well... yeah. One of them is Erik."


    Valerie choked. "What<i>?</i>"


    I sat up straighter, stunned. I let out a high-pitched squeal while I stared, waiting for Astraea tough and say she was kidding... but she didn’t.


    "Oh my moon," I gasped. "Erik<i>?</i> As in Erik?"


    Astraea just smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief.


    Valerie stared at her like she’d grown a second head. "Are you insane?"


    "I mean... probably," Astraea said with a wink. "But gods, he’s so worth it."


    Valerie stared at Astraea, her brows drawn tight, clearly displeased. "You’re serious about Erik?"


    Astraea just shrugged, still wearing that mischievous smirk like it was a badge of honour. "Serious? Nah. Erik knows we’re not together in that sense. It was just... one of those nights."


    "One of those nights?" I asked, trying to make sense of what I had just heard.


    Astraea nodded, flicking a lock of hair over her shoulder. "We got a little drunk after a training showcase and, well... one thing led to another."


    Valerie still looked unconvinced. "And you’re... okay with that?"


    "Val," Astraea said with a shortugh. "The guy’s a nerd who can quote demonws from memory. I didn’t expect him to be that good. But holy moon, he was. Plus, the way he worships my tits and pu..."


    "Okay!" I interrupted, covering her ears yfully. "That’s enough details already. We get the point."


    Astraeaughed even louder. "I’m just saying, don’t knock it till you try it. Turns out I’m a little kinkier than I thought, and he kind of brings that out of me."


    Valerie shook her head, but her lips curved upward. "Well... as long as you’re both on the same page and not hurting anyone, I guess. Just be careful."


    "Always," Astraea said with a wink.


    A beat passed.


    I tilted my head at Valerie, my brows lifting in curiosity. "Wait... you haven’t done anything with your mates?"


    I didn’t miss the quick nce I shot Valerie’s way. It was too brief to mean nothing. Still, Valerie answered in a calm and collected voice.


    "I’ve made out with Dristan," she admitted. "But that’s it."


    "Oh?" I teased. "Just kissing?"


    Valerie nodded firmly, but her cheeks hinted at more.


    I smiled lightly. "Well, I’ve only been kissed, too. Not gone all the way yet."


    Then, like a synchronised cue, we all turned to I.


    She blinked. "Wait... me?"


    "Yes, you," Valerie said, her tone suddenly curious. "You’ve been awfully quiet."


    I bit her lower lip, clearly debating what to say. "I just... don’t want to share."


    That got all of our attention.


    My eyes narrowed slightly, and I noticed Valerie’s gaze subtly sharpened too.


    "Spill, I," I said, trying to keep it casual but knowing something was up. "Who’s your lover?"


    I’s cheeks flushed deep crimson. "I don’t have a lover," she mumbled.


    Liar.


    I didn’t call her out, but I knew. So did Valerie, but surprisingly, she didn’t press further.


    Instead, she just let it slide, and we all moved on, giggling and teasing and eventually drifting into other random topics like school drama, the hot fire magic professor, and whether or not Astraea had a secret stash of enchanted condoms.


    Eventually, theughter faded as we all stood, stretching and yawning.


    "Alright, I’m crashing," I said, grabbing her water bottle.


    "Same," Astraea added, already untying her hair.


    We were all too tired to tease anyone further.


    But just as we were about to retreat to our rooms, all four of our phones buzzed at the same time.


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