My Alphas' Dark Desires
Chapter 248: Giving Friendship a Try

Chapter 248: Giving Friendship a Try

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Chapter 248

~Valerie’s POV~

It was quick—barely more than a whisper of skin against skin—but it made my heart stutter.

Then he grinned.

"Stealing one for the road."

I laughed—light and honest. "You’re insufferable."

"And you love it," he called after me as I turned back toward the hallway, my hand pressing lightly to my lips.

I did.

Maybe I wasn’t ready to say it aloud yet or to face the entire weight of what just happened but I felt something in me lift, like a weight I had no idea I was carrying.

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~Emerald’s POV~

Luckily, Valerie’s Day seemed to have been ruined with just a lab punishment, but I was stuck with a betrothal I couldn’t escape.

I looked at her as she stepped out into the academy building. I had to say, deep down, I admired her, and yet I felt jealous.

Jealous she wasn’t burdened by family problems, nor was she forced to marry someone else, and instead she had her mates and guys vying for her love and attention.

While I was stuck with him and not my mate.

Valerie had six, six hot as fuck mates and the Moon Goddess couldn’t be generous enough to find me mine and link us together.

I knew I was supposed to give Rain a chance, but somehow, I had already guarded my heart against him, which wasn’t fair to either of us, but I just...

I did not like how he readily accepted it. Did he want me, or was he just doing this for the connection?

I was about to walk ahead when a thought crossed my mind.

"Are you any different?"

Tears rolled down my cheeks when that thought came. Why? Because I had not fought against it and finally accepted my parents’ wishes.

What if he was bound by the same problems I was?

By the time we were halfway across the west wing of the academy, I was already emotionally drained.

I’d smiled, I’d introduced him to every place worth noting, I’d even tolerated the curious stares we got from students who knew exactly who I was—and were now putting two and two together.

Rain hadn’t said much throughout the tour. He asked polite questions, nodded attentively, and walked beside me without pressing too far into my personal space.

But I still felt cornered.

No matter how gentle his tone or respectful his demeanour, every second reminded me of what this day represented—an agreement, an arrangement, a decision that was made for me.

We stopped just outside the greenhouse walkway. I was ready to give a short, polite goodbye, maybe offer him a textbook reference or something neutral but then he surprised me.

"Am I suffocating you?" Rain asked softly.

I blinked, completely caught off guard by that honest question. "What?"

I looked up at him, his voice remained calm, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that unnerved me.

He did not look like anything. I never heard any bad reports from the research I did on him.

He was clean through and through but I never thought I’d be made to do this.

"Em." I felt goosebumps run up my arms when he called my nickname softly.

"I just... I’m trying, okay."

I released the deep breath I had no idea I was holding in.

"I know you didn’t choose this. And maybe you hate the idea of being stuck with someone you didn’t ask for. But I’m not here to force anything. I’m just here, trying to understand you. If it feels like too much, just tell me."

I stared at him, stunned.

How could someone I barely knew already sense exactly what was wrong?

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didn’t have the words because I didn’t hate him.

I didn’t even dislike him. I just didn’t want to feel anything yet.

And deep down, I was angry at myself for how easily I’d stopped resisting.

I exhaled shakily. "I don’t know how to feel about any of this, Rain. And I don’t think it’s fair to you for me to pretend otherwise."

He nodded in understanding. "Then don’t pretend."

"I shouldn’t? But our parents..."

"Those are our parents’ wishes. I have mine and you have yours."

I stuttered. "Y-you are opposed?" _{fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)}

"I won’t lie," he gave me a cool smile, " but... at first, yes."

I don’t know why I felt a pang of disappointment when he said that rather than relief.

Silence stretched between us. I turned away first, gripping the strap of my bag tighter.

"However, when I met you, and the few hours I have spent in your presence, I could see a strong girl fighting to keep her composure even though things were hard. So yes, I am not entirely opposed to this but I do not want to impose myself on you, Emerald."

"I’ll... I’ll try not to think too hard about any of this for now," I mumbled. "No expectations, no pretending."

"Fair enough," Rain said with a small smile. "But, I will love the courtesy of being your friend?"

My lips curled slightly. "I don’t make friends that easily."

Rain stretched his hand, his face now brightening. "I believe I have charmed you enough to make an exception. After all, that’s my goal of coming here, getting to know you."

I hesitated but finally took his hand. "That is not a yes, but let’s not draw too much attention to ourselves."

Then, just as I was about to walk off, he stepped forward, blocking my path.

"I’ll see you tomorrow, Emerald."

And before I could react, he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my cheek.

It wasn’t flirty. It wasn’t forced.

Just a quiet, thoughtful gesture that somehow shook me more than it should have.

I didn’t speak as I turned and walked away. My chest felt too tight, and I couldn’t explain why.

When I finally got back to the dorm, I sighed loudly, tossed my bag on the chair in the living room, and collapsed face-first onto the couch.

"Finally," I groaned into my pillow.

That’s when Astraea’s voice rang from the other bed.

"So..." she began with that teasing lilt she always used when she knew she was about to start drama, "Who’s the new hottie you were roped with all day? The one who kissed you on the cheek?"

I froze and my heart did an awkward somersault.