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CHAPTER 257
~Valerie's POV~
PROFESSOR WINNIE:Everyone, return to the hotel's west entrance by 4 p.m. sharp. The orientation walk begins in 15 minutes.
Dristan stood first, brushing sand off his jeans. "Saved by the ping."
I chuckled, sliding my phone back in my hoodie. "Looks like the tour waits for no one."
He held out a hand. "Come on. I'll walk you back."
I took it as warm fingers curled around mine, and for a bit longer, I let them stay there.
"Hey," Dristan added casually as we neared the edge of the courtyard, "Soren says hi, by the way."
I blinked. Then, smiled.
A small one at first, curling at the corner of my lips, then wider. "Really?"
He nodded, his eyes flicking toward me. "Yeah. Said your wolf's got a mean growl but a beautiful aura."
I laughed. "Typical Astra. She's not good at soft."
"She doesn't need to be," he replied. "Soren likes her wild."