Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers-Chapter 562: The Trip Began

Evaline:

The sun still hadn’t made its appearance when I finally stepped onto the bus, the sky above the academy painted in deep shades of indigo and slate.

Night rain had left everything damp and gleaming - the stone pathways, the iron railings, even the towering trees lining the perimeter looked darker, heavier, as if they were still half-asleep.

All ten buses were already parked in a neat line, with their engines humming softly and headlights cutting through the lingering mist. One by one, students climbed aboard, dragging backpacks, duffel bags, and sleepy bodies behind them.

Instructors were doing one final round, checking attendance lists, peering into buses, calling out names. Once they were done, they too would board, and then the academy gates would open, allowing us to descend the mountain and begin the trip we had all been talking about the past week.

I tightened my cardigan around myself as a cold breeze slipped in through the open bus window. The rain had stopped hours ago, but the chill it left behind clung stubbornly to the air. I leaned forward and slid the window shut, the faint rattle of glass echoing softly in the otherwise quiet bus.

Only then did I sink back into my seat.

A moment later, the seat beside me dipped.

Kyros dropped into it with a soft groan, running a hand over his face. "Why," he muttered, "do mornings like this exist?"

I smiled faintly and glanced at him. Like most of us, he looked presentable enough... hair combed, clothes neat... but the heavy-lidded eyes gave away how little sleep he had gotten. Despite waking up more than an hour ago to shower and pack, the exhaustion clung to him stubbornly.

He leaned closer and whispered, "I really hope it doesn’t rain for the next three days."

I huffed out a quiet laugh. "You are asking for way too much."

He sighed dramatically. "I know. It’s either boiling hot or pouring rain these days. No balance. No mercy."

I glanced around the bus.

Mallory and Noah were seated right in front of us. Mallory looked... terrible. There was no gentler way to put it. Her head was resting against the window, eyes closed, hair slightly disheveled despite her attempts to tame it. Considering she had barely made it back into the academy minutes before everyone else started waking up... thanks to Jasper’s birthday... I was honestly impressed she was even upright.

Noah, on the other hand, looked far too awake for this hour, scrolling through something on his phone with suspicious enthusiasm.

To our left, Rowan, Ria, and Selene occupied the three seats across the aisle. Rowan had his hood pulled up and his arms crossed, already asleep. Ria was whispering something animatedly to Selene, who nodded along with sleepy smiles, clearly trying to stay awake.

Despite the tired faces, the excitement was unmistakable.

This trip meant a break from routines, from lectures and assessments, from the constant pressure of being perfect. Even half-asleep, everyone could feel it humming beneath the exhaustion.

My gaze drifted lazily toward the front of the bus... and then my energy spiked instantly.

Oscar had just climbed aboard, walking right behind Professor Elira. He looked unfairly awake, his posture straight, movements smooth, as if early mornings were his natural habitat. He paused briefly, scanning the bus, and for the briefest second, his eyes met mine.

It was nothing obvious.

Just a glance.

But it carried warmth, recognition, and something that tightened pleasantly in my chest before either of us looked away.

He settled into a seat near the front with Professor Elira, their heads bent slightly as they spoke in low tones.

I barely had time to process it before Kyros nudged my arm.

I turned to him slowly.

His eyes were closed, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips. "You are really bad at pretending your heart isn’t about to pop out," he murmured.

I leaned closer until my lips were near his ear. "Be careful," I whispered back sweetly. "When you find your mate someday, I’m going to be unbearable."

He opened one eye and stared at me in horror. "Please don’t."

I chuckled softly, settling back into my seat.

Moments later, the last of the warriors boarded and the bus doors hissed shut.

A low rumble passed through the vehicle as the engine revved, and slowly, steadily, the buses began to move. Through the window, I watched the academy gates open wide, the ancient iron parting to let us through. As we rolled forward, the familiar towers and stone walls disappeared behind us, swallowed by mist and distance.

We were officially on our way.

Right then, Professor Elira stood up at the front of the bus. She held onto the overhead rail for balance as the bus continued down the mountain road.

"Alright, everyone," she announced, her voice calm but firm. "We’ll be stopping at a restaurant in about an hour for breakfast."

A few groans rippled through the bus.

She raised an eyebrow. "If you want, you can use that hour to catch up on sleep."

Her gaze swept over the rows of students, lingering pointedly on those struggling to keep their eyes open.

She didn’t say anything more, but the disappointment was clear.

Kyros pulled out his earpods, untangling the wire with practiced ease. "Come on," he said quietly, handing one to me.

I accepted it. He slipped the other into his own ear and scrolled through his playlist before selecting something soft and instrumental.

The music filled my senses gently... slow, calming, like a quiet stream running through my thoughts.

I wasn’t particularly sleepy, but I closed my eyes anyway.

The hum of the engine, the gentle sway of the bus, the soft music... it all blended together until my body relaxed despite itself.

When I woke up, sunlight was spilling through the window.

It took me a moment to register where I was.

The bus had stopped.

Students were stirring, stretching, yawning. Outside, the world was bathed in warm gold as the sun finally crested the horizon, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks.

We had arrived.

I shifted slightly... and realized there was a jacket draped over my shoulders.

I looked down, then to my side.

Kyros was watching me with a small smile, already removing the earpod from my ear. "Morning," he said quietly.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked, my voice still a little thick.

"Almost the whole hour."

I blinked. "You didn’t have to-"

He waved it off. "You looked comfortable."

I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest. "Thank you, Kai."

He reached out and ruffled my hair lightly. "Anytime."

We stood and joined the flow of students making their way off the bus. The cool morning air had softened, carrying the scent of earth and distant food from the restaurant.

As my feet touched the ground, I took a deep breath.

I couldn’t wait for night to arrive. After all, we were going down the West Tower tonight.