*****************
Chapter 266
~Valerie’s POV~
I froze.
The paper in the student’s hand was held high, and the na echoed louder than the bonfire crackling in the distance.
"Valerie!"
A rush of murmurs, gasps and laughter.
All of it closed in around , but my legs moved stiffly, standing before I fully processed what was happening.
I wasn’t sure what startled more: the fact that my na had actually been drawn... or the sharp gleam of excitent that spread across the bonfire circle.
"Looks like we have our thief!" soone called gleefully.
"Wait, wait," another voice added, louder. "Let’s explain the rules."
I blinked, my mouth suddenly went dry as one of the student council committee, Grant, the treasurer, stepped forward from the shadows.
He wore his composed expression, one he always maintained in public, but I noticed the tightness in his jaw. Still, his voice was unmistakable.
"Well then," he said, grinning, "Valerie’s our prey."
The word prey hit square in the chest.
I heard soone mutter, "Oooh, she’s dead."
And soone else: "Please tell she can shift—this is gonna be epic."
"We’re playing Predators and Prey," Grant said. "One hour. Valerie’s our prey needs to run, hide, and do whatever she needs to do to survive. The rest of us are predators."
A collective cheer.
"You can wolf out if you want," he added with a smirk. "Unless, Valerie, wouldn’t like to shift too?"
"She’s a skilled fighter. She can definitely wolf out, right?"
"She should. It’s not fair if—"
Dozens of eyes turned to . I lifted my chin. "No. I won’t shift."
A ripple of surprise swept through the circle.
"You sure?" soone asked. "You’ll be easier to catch."
"I’m sure."
A second passed. Then the noise returned, louder than before—confused, impressed, excited.
"Why?"
"She’s brave. Or crazy."
"She’s going to get eaten out there."
I didn’t flinch. I just t Isla’s wide-eyed stare and shrugged. "I’ll do it human."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dristan lean forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. His lips didn’t part, but his gaze was burning holes into the flas.
He didn’t object. None of my mates did, nor did they waver. They said nothing but didn’t join either.
"Alright then," the council mber grinned. "Valerie will be on foot. If any of us catches her before the hour’s up, she loses and joins the drinking round or... whatever punishnt we decide." He winked, and the crowd roared with laughter and playful howls.
Students began shedding jackets and shirts, so unbuttoning jeans. The air grew thick with shifting energy.
Cracks and pops filled the air as bones rearranged. Growls and snarls and paws. Limbs twisted. Fur erupted like smoke. All around , the predators were revealing themselves.
Wolves erged.
I turned and found Ace. I pulled my phone from my back pocket and handed it to him.
"Here," I said, handing him my phone. "I’d rather not crush this."
"Be careful," he murmured low enough for only to hear.
I nodded once, then turned.
"Two minutes to run!" soone shouted. "That’s all the head start she gets. When the clock hits zero... You hunt."
I took one last breath.
It was settled.
One hour. If I weren’t caught, I would win. If I were... well, I’d have to do whatever they ca up with.
Great.
My feet hit the dirt trail hard, and I ran.
The woods were thick, scattered with trees and mossy rocks, swallowing whole.
The cold night air rushed past like whispers of warning. I didn’t look back. Every part of scread to push forward. The trees blurred around , the forest embracing in its shadows.
Twigs snapped beneath my boots, and dry leaves crunched as I weaved through the forest.
Moonlight filtered through the trees, but I stayed low, ducking branches, adjusting my pace.
Adrenaline surged through my veins. My lungs burned, but not from exhaustion—from the pressure.
This was about instinct, speed, and every bit of training Uncle Zade and my cousin, Storm, had drilled into over the years.
I ducked low under a thick branch and veered left. I could already hear them.
Distant howls. A few short barks signified that the ga had officially begun.
My heart thudded in my chest, but not from fear. I wasn’t terrified—no. I felt alive as every training from the past ten years replayed in my head.
I dodged between two closely-knit trees, nearly tripping over a rock hidden in the underbrush.
My mind spun as fast as my feet. I couldn’t outrun them all.
No, I’d be dumb to think that way. I was fast, but against several wolves of different calibre, strength, size, and the fact that I needed to keep Astra hidden, hiding who I am, speed wouldn’t be the best course of action.
I had to outsmart them.
I veered left, skidding slightly downhill toward a gully where I knew the stream curved sharply. The scent of water would help later, but for now, I needed to throw them off.
A branch snapped behind . Closer than I expected.
I cursed under my breath and threw myself sideways, landing in a roll to avoid the copper-furred wolf lunging from the left. Its teeth snapped inches from my shoulder, catching a few strands of my hair.
Pain seared as it yanked.
I scread in rage, not fear, and twisted, slipping out of its reach just as it stumbled on the incline.
I ducked again, weaving through the trees.
But then another wolf burst from the right—fast, lean, with sharp black fur. I pivoted mid-stride, but it clipped my side. I lost my footing and went tumbling down a slope, crashing through brush and sliding through mud and leaves—wet leaves.
The fall knocked the air out of .
Until I slamd into a mossy log when I hit the bottom and gasped, mud splattered my face as my chest ached.
Groaning, I tried to stand and pushed to my feet just as the wolf from before leapt again.
I reacted purely on instinct. I kicked out with all my strength, boot landing square in its stomach. It yelped, tumbling backwards into the brush.
I didn’t hesitate or wait to see who it was. I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the sting in my palms, and ran.
Reviews
All reviews (0)