Chapter 54: The Queen's GameAlison pov Arriving at the school parking lot, the sound of my engine could be heard over the morning conversation. Stiletto heels tapping on the pavement, the students fell silent as I walked out. Their gaze tracked me, a blend of fear and respect.Great. Allow them to look.I ran my hand over my designer skirt, enjoying the sensation of luxurious material on my skin. A young girl, most likely a first-year student, hurriedly approached with a flushed face."Alison, may I hold your bag for you?" she stuttered, eyes filled with optimism.I thought about her briefly before dismissing my purse. "I cautioned not to scratch it," I said, sounding uninterested. She nodded enthusiastically, holding onto the bag tightly as if it were her only hope.Heading towards the school entrance, I encountered a group of older boys who obstructed my way. I raised one eyebrow, feeling annoyed. "I commanded to move," I growled.The tallest individual, a football player whose n
Chapter 55 OfferAlison pov I used the remainder of the class planning while barely listening to the conversation happening around me. When the bell indicated the first period had ended, I was starting to develop a plan.As we left the classroom, Brittany walked beside me. She murmured, filled with admiration, "Ali, that was incredible." "Your handling of Mr. Thompson... I've never witnessed anything comparable."I shrugged, pretending to be indifferent while feeling a surge of pride. "It's just a matter of understanding your value, Britt." And most importantly, ensuring that everyone else is aware of it as well."We walked to our lockers and the crowd moved aside like waves for a ship. I could sense the stares directed at me, listen to the murmurs trailing behind me. It was exhilarating.While swapping out my books for the upcoming class, a scent I recognized suddenly grabbed my focus. As I glanced in his direction, a gentle grin appeared on my face upon noticing Logan approaching.
Avyaane pov The ceiling fan rotated. Repeat after repeat. Its blades sliced through the thick air in my chamber, agitating the stale air without actually relieving it. With my body wedged into the mattress as though it were attempting to engulf me, I lay there looking up at it. My eyes felt dry, gritty, and burning. Two sleepless nights. By now, the shadows beneath them have to be as dark as bruises, a visible representation of the fatigue that enveloped me like a second skin. I moved my head, a motion that took more effort than it needed to. The nightstand's alarm clock radiated a crimson that seemed accusing. 3:47 A.M. Another restless night is almost over, and as dawn approaches, it will usher in yet another uncertain day filled with loneliness. The pillow next me still carried Killian's scent, a comforting blend of sandalwood and rain. He had visited earlier, to see how I was doing. Always make sure. perpetually in the air. Where, though, were the others? The question kept comin
Chapter 55: Mockery Avyaane pov It felt like a smack to my system, the fresh air after days of stale, recycled air conditioning. After the darkness of my room, the brightness of the sun almost hurt my eyes when I blinked in it. When was the last time I had gone outside? The world seemed excessively large, noisy, and overwhelming. Before I froze, we had gone three steps from the alphas' house. eyes. Numerous eyes. Members of the pack halted and fixed their intense stares on me. The air was full of whispers, a never-ending hum of rumors and conjecture. "Is that her?" "The alphas' mate?" "I heard her father's a drunk." "Didn't her mother abandon her?" "Poor thing, losing her wolf like that." "Do you think the alphas will keep her?" The embarrassment and heat on my cheeks, I am really embarrassed right now. My desire was to vanish beneath the earth. To flee back to my room and hide under the covers, away from prying eyes, so as to avoid their sympathy and condemnation. With furious flas
Chapter 56: AloneKate pov With my back against the chilly concrete, I crouched in the corner of the cell. My skin scraped against the rough wall through the thin fabric of my shirt. My sore throat swelled and felt raw. I hadn't had any sleep. I hadn't had any food. Time was now just a whirl of tiredness and terror. The harsh, uncaring voices of the guards floated through the iron bars. This one is problematic. two days later, made two attempts to flee." Indeed, she needs to be broken. That kind of spirit is not appropriate here." "Take her to the camp for slaves. That should quickly resolve her issues." Before I could choke it back, a sob broke free. I bit my knuckles to be quiet and clamped my fist to my mouth. I desired not to be by myself. My biggest fear was being forgotten and abandoned. That seemed to be my precise fate now. Aside from that, I was going to be tortured in this "slave camp." The sound of the cell block door clanging open reverberated off the barren walls. Watchm
Chapter 57: Slave camp Kate pov She withdrew, staring at me with those cold blue eyes. "This location? It's intended to shatter you. to be stripped of everything that makes you, leaving only a little, submissive slave. Do you want to leave this place with your soul unbroken? You pick up their style of play." I took a deep breath and digested her remarks. I said, "Why are you telling me this?" Razor shrugged and made his way to the top bunk. Maybe I'm in a giving mood. Perhaps it's the way you look. Or perhaps all I want to do is see how long you survive." She smiled again, her fangs bared. "Guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself." Before I could reply, there was a loud beep. Razor hopped off the mattress. "My dear, it's dinnertime. "Aim to avoid getting killed on your first day." She walked out of the cell, and I followed her after a moment's hesitation. The mess hall was a large room with long tables and hundreds of voices. The smell of institutional food, which was blan
Chapter 58 Heart breakAvyaane pov As we made our way back to the Alphas' place, the chilly night air felt nice against my skin. In the silent darkness, Jade's footfall crunched on the gravel next to me, maintaining a steady cadence. Ever since we left the diner, we had hardly spoken. Nothing much needed to be said. Unspoken but tangible, the day's events weighed heavily on both of us. Long shadows from streetlights distorted our figures, making us look like odd, elongated versions of ourselves. With every light we passed, I felt on the inside equally as distorted and unidentifiable as I saw my shadow grow and shrink. Jade stated, "This is where I leave you," as soon as we arrived at the porch. Although she spoke in a harsh tone, I could see concern in her eyes. Her often harsh features were softened by the porch light's illumination of her face. "Try to get some rest, okay?" Unconfident in my voice, I nodded. My throat felt choked, bound by feelings I could not place. Jade squee
Chapter 61:A Taste of FreedomAvy Jade wrenched up the driver's door as we drove into the school parking lot. The car's speakers played a ridiculous pop song that would stick in your brain for days. Jade shouted out the lyrics, her voice trembling at the high notes. "I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oh!" She screamed, banging her palms against the driving wheel. I cringed, the sound cutting against my already frazzled nerves. "Please, for the sake of all that is sacred, stop. I would wish to maintain my hearing." Jade smacked my arm playfully, her emerald eyes full of mischief. "Party pooper." "You used to love this song." I used to enjoy a wide range of activities, I recalled. But I didn't say it outright loud. Instead, I mustered a smile. "Maybe in another life." We stumbled out of the car, the fresh morning air a shock after the stifling cabin. Jade was still humming, off tune and carefree. For a minute, I felt light. Free. Like, maybe today will be different. I noticed the stare