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~Valerie's POV~
We all laughed, and just like that, the conversation flowed easily.
The waitress ca by to take our orders, still looking a bit starstruck. Ace did order nearly everything on the nu, much to everyone's amusent. I settled for carbonara, while the others chose various pasta dishes and pizzas.
"So, Val," Kai said, leaning back in his seat. "The Female Volleyball Ga is coming up soon, right? How's the team looking?"
I nodded, grateful for the easy topic. "Yeah, it's in two weeks. The team's looking strong. We've been training hard."
"Are you nervous?" Ash asked.
"A little," I admitted. "It's a big deal. The whole academy will be watching."
"You'll crush it," Axel said confidently. "You always do."
"He's right," Dristan added. "I've seen you play. You're incredible out there."
My cheeks ward at their complints. "Thanks, guys. That ans a lot."
"We'll all be there cheering you on," Xade said with a small smile. "Front row."
"Front row?" I raised an eyebrow. "You guys are going to sit front row at a volleyball ga?"
"Absolutely," Ace grinned. "We need to make sure everyone knows whose mate is out there dominating. I can also arrange for banners." Ace wriggled his brows playfully at .
"Ace," I groaned, but I was smiling.
"What? I'm proud of you," he said unapologetically.
"We all are," Kai added.
Sohow, I felt spoiled to the fullest and could barely wait for the big ga.
But at the sa ti, I was rethinking that joy. I was good, no doubt, but it was an interschool competition.
Other aces from other top schools would be competing. I needed to bring my A ga with absolutely no distractions.
My mind was beginning to do her little trick, wanting to push into depressing thoughts or just simply overthinking.
I tossed the thoughts away and focused on my mates. They were already sharing light jokes, which eased the tightness in my stomach a bit.
The food arrived, and for a while, we just ate and enjoyed each other's company. The carbonara was amazing, creamy and perfectly seasoned. Ace had indeed ordered half the nu, and we all ended up sharing bites of different dishes.
"This is really good," I said, stealing a piece of bruschetta from Kai's plate.
"Hey!" he protested, but he was grinning. "Get your own."
"Sharing is caring," I shot back, popping it into my mouth.
"Is that so…?" Dristan asked with that unreadable sexy smirk. "Then, it's okay to share you in…"
He did not get to finish his words when Ace shot him a glare. And I couldn't hold back my laugh and chuckled.
"So what are everyone's plans for the break?" Ash asked, twirling pasta around his fork.
"Training, probably," Dristan said. "My father wants to spend more ti learning pack politics and training more as punishnt for this hypnosis scandal."
Kai nodded. "Sa here. Alpha duties don't take a break. And I'm sorry about that, Dristan." Dristan shrugged, as if it did not affect him, but I knew better.
"What about you, Val?" Xade asked. "Are you going ho?"
I paused, thinking about it. I hadn't given it much thought.
The normal thing would be to go back to Uncle Zade's, but now that I had joined Nightshade's Group, I wasn't sure of their plans.
"I'm not sure yet. I might stay here for a bit."
"Why?" Axel inquired softly as he leaned forward, genuinely concerned.
"Nothing. Just to train more before the main gas."
For a minute there, everyone fell silent, and their attention all geared towards . "No wonder you're as good as any of us and better than any female student," Xade complinted, breaking the silence.
"Thank you," I replied shyly and took a slice of pizza to eat, more like hiding the blush creeping up my cheeks.
"You should co visit the Lycan Kingdom," Ace suggested. "We have this huge lake. Perfect for swimming. Also, it's a break from werewolf territory air. You need sothing strong and more relaxing."
"Yeah. We also have mountains," Ashton added. "Great hiking trails and other winter activities in the snow."
"Are you guys trying to recruit for winter vacation?" I laughed.
"Maybe," Axel said with a smirk. "Is it working? Cause I'd love it if you could visit the Western Regions."
"Sa," Dristan cut in, keeping his cool, but from the look in his eyes, I could tell he was equally eager or excited for this visit. "It would make training fun. We could train, go on several dates, do so naughty training activities…"
Dristan stuck out his tongue and gave a licking motion.
A soft gasp escaped my lips at what he was insinuating.
"Mine too. Though you are already in my territory, you still have exploring to do, special dinner parties, I want to brag and show everyone my mate, while taking you on lovely dates, Vee," Xade voiced enthusiastically.
"If you're going to visit them, then yes, I'd love that too. I was silently thinking about this before today. It would be great. I can let my parents start getting used to the idea that you are mine and nothing changes," Kai chipped in.
My heart was elated just hearing their secret wish to spend the holidays with . "I'll think about it," I said, still smiling.
Thankfully, no one persuaded further and the conversation shifted to lighter topics: funny stories from classes, gossip about other students, plans for the upcoming Alpha Gas. It felt so normal, so right. Like we'd never had that distance between us at all.
"Rember when Ace fell asleep in my uncle, Professor Draven's class?" Kai brought up, laughing.
"Hey, that was one ti!" Ace defended himself.
"One ti too many," Dristan said dryly. "Draven almost failed you."
"But he didn't," Ace pointed out. "Because I'm charming."
"Because you begged," Axel corrected.
We all burst out laughing, and I felt my chest swell with happiness. This—this was what I'd been missing. Just being with them, no pressure, no secrets hanging over us. Just... us.
After we finished eating, Ace stretched and looked around the table. "So, what now? The night's still young."
"There's that new arcade that opened up near the plaza," Ash suggested. "We could check it out."
"Arcade?" I perked up. "Sure, I'd love to go."
"Then it's settled," Dristan said, standing up and offering his hand again. "Arcade it is."
We paid the bill—after a brief argunt about who would pay, which Dristan won by simply handing his card to the waitress before anyone else could protest—and headed out into the cool evening air.
The walk to the arcade was short, filled with more laughter and easy conversation. String lights illuminated the streets, and the sound of music drifted from nearby cafes. It felt almost magical.
The arcade was bright and loud, filled with the sounds of gas and laughter. Neon lights flashed everywhere, and the sll of popcorn filled the air.
"Okay, I'm definitely challenging soone to air hockey," Ace declared imdiately.
"I'll take you on," Kai said, cracking his knuckles.
"Loser buys ice cream," Ace added with a grin.
They rushed off to the air hockey table, already trash-talking each other. I shook my head, smiling at their antics.
"Want to try the racing ga?" Axel asked, nodding toward a row of racing simulators.
"You're on," I said.
"Let's do a basketball ga, Ash," Dristan offered, and Ash nodded.
"Be happy to beat you."
We played for what felt like hours. I beat Axel at racing, barely, and he insisted on a rematch. Dristan absolutely destroyed everyone at the basketball shooting ga.
Ash won at the claw machine on his first try and gave the stuffed bear he'd won. Xade and I tead up for a zombie shooter ga and made it to the final level before getting overwheld.
"This is fun," I said breathlessly, clutching my prize bear as we took a break near the prize counter.
"It is," Dristan agreed, looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in weeks. "We should do this more often."
"Definitely," I agreed.
Kai and Ace finally finished their air hockey tournant—Kai won, much to Ace's dismay—and we all headed to the ice cream shop next door as promised.
"I can't believe you beat ," Ace grumbled as we stood in line.
"You're just a sore loser," Kai teased.
"I am not!"
"You kind of are," I said, trying to hide my smile.
"Val!" Ace turned to , mock-offended. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I'm on the side of truth," I said innocently.
Everyone laughed, and Ace eventually joined in, unable to stay grumpy for long.
We got our ice cream and sat outside on the shop's patio, enjoying the cool night air. I got cookies and cream, my favourite, and savoured every bite.
"This was a really good night," I said softly, looking around at all of them.
"Yeah, it was," Axel agreed, his arm draped casually over the back of my chair.
"We should make it a regular thing," Ash suggested. "You know, dates like this with all of us together."
"I'd like that," I said, aning it with every fiber of my being.
"Then it's a plan," Dristan said with a smile.
We sat there for a while longer, just talking and laughing under the stars. And for the first ti in what felt like forever, everything felt right.
Everything felt perfect.
When we finally headed back to PSA, I was exhausted but happy. Genuinely, completely happy.
"Thank you," I said as we reached the entrance to my dorm building. "For tonight, and for everything."
"Anyti, Val," Kai said, giving a gentle hug.
One by one, they each hugged goodbye, and I felt the mate bond purr contentedly at the contact.
As I walked into my dorm, clutching my stuffed bear and replaying the night in my head, I couldn't stop smiling.
Tonight had been exactly what I needed: fun, peaceful, lovely, and just being simple.
I sighed as I muttered, "I love you, guys."
Then Astra's soft voice purred. "I know."
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