CHAPTER-7: THE GREAT ESCAPE

Zoe’s POV

“C’mon Lyra, hurry up dude. The classes are about to get over. We can’t afford to lose out on this opportunity,” I frantically called out of my window.

“Zoe, don’t worry about me. I’m just packing some important stuff to keep us going till we reach home,” Lyra replied, stuffing almost everything she could find into her backpack.

“You don’t need a lip gloss for lord’s sake!” I exclaimed indignantly.

“You never know when we meet a sexy dude,” Lyra winked.

I rolled my eyes and groaned. She’d flirt with Death himself if he had a six-pack and nice hair.

Our feet soon touched the soft grass after we jumped from the third-floor windows of our dorm and headed toward the main gate of the school with garbage bags slung over our shoulders, dressed in stolen linemen uniforms.

“Are you sure the IDs will work, Seris?” Lyra asked worriedly.

“Just trust me, okay? Have I ever failed you guys?” Seris replied, feigning a wounded expression.

“Guys, close your mindlinks and hold your breath. Do not let these dunderheads get a whiff of us. Act human as much as possible,” I whispered, pulling my cap down low.

We made our way through the first three checkpoints, successfully convincing the security staff we were garbage pickers on duty. But fate had other plans.

At the worst possible moment—just as we were about to escape—Virelle entered the premises. The Headmistress of Asheville Academy. Of all people.

“Guys, just stay calm and keep your eyes on the ground. Try to keep your mind blank and hold your breath,” I murmured, keeping my neck low and movements slow.

Every heartbeat felt like it could give us away. We passed her—barely—and only exhaled when we crossed the school boundary.

“Whew, that was close. Finally free, bitches! Let’s hurry up and go back to Diamond Ville,” Lyra shrieked.

“What’s up, Zoe? Why are you so panic-stricken?” Seris asked, noting my alarmed expression.

“My mindlink... it’s still blocked,” I whispered, chilled to the core.

“What? That’s just not possible! Wait a minute... even mine is still blocked,” Lyra said, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“So we’re still inside the school’s perimeter?” Seris blurted out in shock.

“Seems so... but this is weird. Let’s just run for it. We can’t afford to be caught, can we?” I said, bolting forward before either of them could answer.

“Zoe, how do we travel now? We haven’t shifted yet, and if we take the main road, our scents will be all over the place. We’ll be tracked in minutes,” Lyra pointed out, catching up beside me.

“Yes. We’ll travel by foot through these woods and only take a cab when we’re safely away from Asheville,” I replied, keeping my voice calm and authoritative.

“I wonder if the boys will be mad at us for leaving them behind,” Seris mumbled with guilt in her voice.

“No. Stick to the plan the boys made. We cannot afford to get out together,” I said with finality, cutting off that thought before it could linger.

We pushed forward, ducking under branches and keeping low to the undergrowth. Time was the enemy now. Every second spent near the academy was a second closer to disaster.

* * * * *

“Ma’am, you need to see this right now,” Kacy barged into Virelle’s office without knocking.

“What’s the matter, dear?”

“Five rogues were found dead outside the school’s perimeter in the woods.”

“Then that’s not our business,” Virelle replied curtly, barely looking up from her tea.

“Ma’am, one of the rogues had this in his hand.”

Virelle raised a brow. Then she sniffed.

Everything stopped.

She stared at Kacy for five whole seconds, color draining from her face.

“Oh no. It can’t be,” she whispered, her voice brittle.

“I’m afraid so. They must be halfway to Diamond Ville by now,” Kacy said.

Virelle stood, her expression darkening.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care from here.”

* * * * *

CHARACTER SKETCH:

SHADOW GANG MEMBERS:

Zoe Stone – Leader

Draven – Zoe’s Beta

Lyra – Draven’s sister

Seris – Draven and Lyra’s adopted sister

Kael – Third in command

Damon – Fourth in command

ALPHAS:

Talon Green – Green Moss Pack

Lucan Cohen – Ocean Spirit Pack

Corwin Dixon – Moon Shine Pack

Valen Anderson – Crystal Blood Pack

Zarek Rexter – Silver Bow Pack

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS:

Virelle – Headmistress, Asheville

Kacy – Virelle’s Secretary