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Chapter 278
~Valerie’s POV~
By the ti I stepped out of the room with my bags packed, the heated air from earlier had dissipated.
Though it hadn’t been long since I entered my room, they stopped.
Apparently, Isla had stepped in and pulled Erald to her room, then gave Astraea a sound warning to stop causing trouble and stay away from us.
The living room was empty. Erald must’ve stayed back to her own room to cool off, and Astraea—thankfully—was gone. I wasn’t sure where to, and I honestly didn’t care since I didn’t perceive her.
As I moved toward the kitchen with my smaller bag slung over my shoulder, I noticed Isla by the counter, standing quietly beside the microwave.
The gentle hum of it heating sothing up was the only sound in the space. She didn’t notice enter nor di she realise her al had fully being heated up and the chim gone off.
She must be deep in thought.
I smiled faintly. "Hey, girl."
No response.
I tilted my head and took a step closer, only to realise she looked completely lost in thought, her fingers frozen mid-scroll over her phone screen.
I took another step, preparing to tap her shoulder, but sothing on the screen caught my eye.
A na.
One word, boldened.
Neil.
My breath caught, and I instinctively glanced away.
Instead of touching her, I gently rapped the table beside her. "Earth to Isla."
She jumped slightly, her screen locking in one swift move before she turned to face with a wide-eyed smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "You scared the crap out of ."
"Sorry," I said lightly, trying to ignore the tight knot curling in my stomach. "What were you thinking about?"
"Oh... nothing." Her voice was too quick, too smooth. "Just tired. You know... from the whole drama."
I nodded slowly, still pretending I hadn’t seen anything. "Right. Sa here. You okay?"
"Yeah," she said with a little too much pep, brushing imaginary lint off her shirt. "You?"
"Getting there. I’m all packed. Ti to go build so emotional bridges with my mates," I joked, half-laughing. "It’s just... hard."
Isla smiled knowingly, stirring sothing on the counter. "I know what you an."
"Do you?"
Isla rolled her eyes. "Duh, I may not be seeing soone now, but I did date soone before. After all, I am a very beautiful girl."
She moved over to the microwave, took out her dish, the one Dristan had bought for us on our way back and placed it down on the table.
She went to get a plate and spoon, and then she turned to suddenly, her expression mischievous. "By the way, which of your mates have you had wet dreams about?"
I blinked, stunned. "Isla!"
"What?" she giggled. "It’s a valid question. You dodged it the last ti during camping."
"And look at where that got us, ."
Isla waved off my fear. "It’s just two of us. Besides, I know it wasn’t because you didn’t have one... or six wet dreams."
I groaned, my cheeks heating. "I wasn’t dodging because I was trying to avoid drama."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Then what?"
I sighed, dragging my hand through my hair before leaning against the counter. "Because I’ve dreamt about all of them."
Her eyes widened with wicked delight. "Oh my goddess, Val. You naughty, naughty girl, making love to each one of them or all."
I covered my face with my hand. "It’s not my fault! The mate bond is doing things. Weird things. Erotic things."
"You can say that again," she wriggled her brows at .
"Stop it, Isla. I an it, it feels so real and then, bam, it is a dream."
"I believe you," she said, fanning herself dramatically. "But now you’re staying in their space? Oh, girl... you’re about to experience next-level temptation and so hardcore lovemaking... hehe I want all the deets."
I gave her a flat look. "Don’t start."
"Oh, I will." She grinned like a fiend. "Let’s break this down. Ash—broody and mysterious—you know he’s the type to silently sneak into your bed and steal your breath."
I rolled my eyes. "Isla."
"Then there’s Dristan—dark, possessive, and just the right amount of dominant. You two are going to end up steaming the entire west wing."
I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped.
"Axel?" she continued. "Flirty tease. That one’s gonna rile you up just to watch you squirm."
I sighed. "You’re so not helping."
"Xade," she continued with a wiggle of her brows, "the rebel with a sharp tongue—he’s probably into the rough stuff. You know it. But I bet he’d pleasure you silly."
My jaw dropped. "Isla!"
"I haven’t even gotten to Kai," she whispered dramatically, "who might just tie you up with your own sheets because he’s possessive and chaotic."
I groaned, clutching my stomach from laughter. "You’re insane."
"I’m factual," she declared proudly.
"Okay... then who else, Ace?"
Isla looked thoughtful for a while, and then her eyes shone a bit. "I haven’t known him for a while, but I am confident that he would be a beast beneath the sheets. Don’t get wrong, he is calm but calm ones sotis are..."
She fanned her cheeks for added effect. "That’s if there’s any at all as he devours you, fucking you again and again, thing you pass out from his intense lovemaking. I heard Lycans are that good and now he is a sexy damn god... oh co on, Val."
We laughed for a bit, giggling like old tis. The sound felt good, familiar.
Then the air cald—just a little.
The microwave beeped, and Isla turned to grab the tray of my food she had helped put in.
That’s when Erald ca out of her room, her arms folded as she leaned against the doorfra. "Is she gone?"
Isla nodded. "Yeah, she left."
Erald sighed in relief. Then she walked forward, her gaze ping-ponging between the two of us. "What were you two talking about? You look flushed."
"Nothing," I said too quickly.
Isla snorted. "Just your girl here fantasising about being devoured by six alpha heirs."
"Isla!" I hissed, face burning.
Erald blinked and then burst out laughing. "Oh, gods. Well, it’s better than the trauma from yesterday, I guess."
Then her expression softened and turned thoughtful as she reached forward. "Wait... Val, where’s your necklace?"
My fingers instinctively flew to my neck, and my heart skipped a beat.
Shit. I almost forgot they knew about it, and now it was gone.
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