<h4>Chapter 276: The Sitting Arrangements</h4>


    <strong>****************</strong>


    <strong>Chapter 276</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~</strong>


    I was about to protest, but they were already disappearing down the walkway.


    And just like that, I was surrounded—again. Eight pairs of eyes trained on me, each gaze intense in its own unique way.


    Some glistened with concern, others with desire. And some... with something far moreplex.


    Xander. Riven. I hadn’t spoken to either of them properly since the time everything exploded about their feelings, about mine, about this insane storm I’d pulled us all into.


    I swallowed. My throat felt dry. I didn’t know what to say, where to start. A part of me wanted to tell them the truth, but that meant admitting I’d lied.


    That I’d hidden who I was. What I was.


    That I was Valerie Violet Sapphire Snow.


    "Valerie."


    The sound of someone calling my name sent a jolt down my spine. All of us turned to see Professor Winnie striding toward us, with a clipboard in hand.


    "You all head down. The bus is waiting," she instructed, her tone crisp but not entirely unfriendly.


    "There’ll be no need," Dristan responded coolly, stepping forward. "We brought three of our own cars. We’ll be driving back to school separately, Professor."


    Professor Winnie arched a brow like she wanted to protest but after a pause, she nodded. "As you wish. However..."


    Her gaze slid sharply to me. "Valerie Nightshade, you and I have some talking to do."


    Immediately, all of my mates shifted forward, forming a protective wall in front of me.


    "She didn’t do anything," Xander said firmly, standing tall.


    "She’s done nothing wrong," Ash added in a steel-like voice.


    "She’s not going anywhere without us," Kai said.


    Professor Winnie blinked at the unified wall of alpha energy, and for a moment, even she seemed a bit taken aback.


    "Well, trouble or not," she said after a pause, her tone more formal now, "I must hear all sides. I’m not using her. But as the chaperone of this trip, it’s my duty to follow up."


    Then she met my eyes again. "Rest assured, Alphas. Your mate will be returned in one piece when we get back. But for now, remember—I’m still leading this trip and not you Do not make me rescind my graceful exception, right now."


    She turned sharply and walked away, her long coat billowing slightly with the breeze.


    And just like that, it was quiet again. The eight of them turned their eyes back to me.


    But all I could think of was: how long can I keep this truth buried?


    And how many hearts would I shatter once ites out?


    I exhaled sharply. After Professor Winnie walked away, the atmosphere lingered in silence, filled with tension, curiosity, and the unspoken things between me and everyone of them.


    I didn’t even know what I was going to say.


    But finally, it was Xade who broke it. "The cars are here," he said, tossing his keys into the air before catching them effortlessly. "Let’s split up and get going."


    Turns out, three cars had been brought: one was Xade’s, one was for Dristan, and thest was for Riven.


    Quickly, the groups began to form.


    Ace immediately flung an arm around Riven’s shoulders, grinning like he was about to start the road trip of the century. "We’re riding together, right? Me, you, and Ash. The Bro-mobile."


    Ash gave a small shake of his head but didn’t protest.


    Xade gestured at Axel and Xander. "You two, with me."


    Axel and Xander both shrugged in agreement. It was easy, clean, and no fuss about why they didn’t get to ride with me or anything.


    And that left... me, and Dristan, and Kai. Which already sounded like a brewing storm in the confines of a car because, for some reason, Kai just became possessive.


    Dristan exhaled through his nose. "Let’s take your friends along too. The car has space."


    I blinked. "Seriously?"


    He just shrugged. "Might as well. They’re already used to being around you... and I know you’ll rx more."


    Touched by his thoughtfulness, I quickly grabbed my phone and pinged I and Emerald.


    <strong>Me</strong>: <i>Hey, we’re driving back. Want to ride with us?</i>


    The response was instant.


    <strong>ISLA:</strong><i>Hell yes. On my way!</i>


    <strong>EMERALD:</strong><i>Coming. Riding with Ash, though. More chill there and less drama. Besides, I don’t want too much wolf brooding energy... I like the mix of Lycan and Vamp.</i>


    Iughed at Emerald’s chill joke.


    Within minutes, Emerald waved from across the lot, skipping over to Ash’s group and sliding into the back of Riven’s SUV with a little grin after tossing her bag into the booth. She looked toofortable already.


    I jogged over to us, beaming. "Shotgun!"


    Dristan frowned. "You’re not sitting in front."


    "I’m sitting in front with her," she sang-songed as she pointed at me. "I want to tease my dear cousin and Valerie."


    Dristan groaned and turned to Kai. "Can’t we toss her into Xade’s car?"


    But I had already slung her backpack over her shoulder and sidled up next to me like a clingy sister. "Toote. You invited me."


    Finally, we started moving toward Dristan’s sleek ck car. The guys stashed the luggage in the boot while I and I lingered near the front.


    "Valerie,e sit up front with me," Dristan said as he opened the driver’s side door, ready to slide into the passenger seat.


    "Nope," Kai cut in. "The girls should sit at the back. That’s safer."


    My brows lifted. "Safer? Or are you just trying to be possessive?"


    "Both," Kai answered, without missing a beat. "Dristan’s got too much time with you. It’s only fair to the others if I steal you and stash you somewhere safe."


    I smirked. "Then I have a better idea. I’ll drive. I and I will sit in the front. And you two," I gestured between them, "can sulk in the back."


    Dristan opened his mouth to argue, but I had already snuck up behind him, her fingers dipping into his pocket like a pickpocket in a movie.


    In one swift motion, she yanked the keys out and tossed them at me.


    I caught them with a grin.


    "Let’s go," she chimed with a wink.


    Both Dristan and Kai groaned in unison as I clicked the car open.


    Behind us,ughter echoed from the other groups. Ace was practically howling as he called out, "I’m giving I full points for that steal!"


    "Remind me never to leave anything in my pockets when she’s around," Riven muttered as he climbed into his car.


    Ash simply nodded. "Smart girl."


    Kai gave Dristan a long-suffering look. "We’re letting her drive?"


    "Apparently."


    Dristan shook his head but leaned toward me with a smirk before I got in. "I’m swapping with you when we stop for snacks. Just so you know."


    "Fine," I shrugged. "Then you and I can share the backseat."


    "Hell no," he muttered under his breath. "You and she will share the backseat then. For now, I’ll y nice."


    Once the luggage was packed, I and I slid into the front of the car. She popped her shades on like she owned the entire world, her legs crossed, smirking at the rearview mirror.


    Kai and Dristan climbed into the back, muttering and ring at each other with every inch of space between them.


    I turned the key in the ignition and grinned.


    "Let’s hit the road," I said, exchanging a victorious wink with I as the car pulled away from the hotel. "This is gonna be interesting!"