Chapter 0254


    We basically have to sprint across the field where the candidate barracks are to get down to the


    train tracks in time. The sleek train is waiting there, puffing steam, filling with cadets all eager to get


    home for winter break. As we run I mentally thank my mother again for her healing powers – who


    would have thought that two days ago I was basically dead over Jackson’s shoulder, and now here I


    am dashing across a field with my best friends, a mostly-empty bag bouncing on my back?


    When we get down to the tracks I see that the tform itself is getting sparse, pretty much all the


    cadets already having boarded, and I dart immediately for a door to the train, wanting to get in and


    get a seat. But before I can even grab the little handle to lift myself into the closest train car, Jesse


    grabs my arm.


    “Ari, what are you doing!?”


    I spin, stumbling a little as I look up at him. “I’m getting on the damn train, Jesse!”


    My cousin just grins down at me and gestures down the tracks. “Come on,” he says,ughing. “Our


    seats are back here.”


    “What?” I let myself be lead down the line, frowning the whole way, but then my face shifts quickly


    into surprise and delight when I see the bright red caboose attached to the end of the train.


    Because of course. Of course mom and dad sent the royal car for us to take back to the city.


    “Oh my god,” I murmur, my hands going to my cheeks, my embarrassmentpeting with my


    pleasure and losing immediately. “That’s…that’s so nice of them.”


    “Whoa,” Luca says at my side, and I jump a little when I realize that it’s him standing there. And then


    I burst into a grin as he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me tight for a second before turning


    his gaze back to the train itself. I watch his eyebrows raise as he takes in the beautiful coach with its


    cheerful, shiny red sides, its gilt details. “We are traveling in style today.” His voice is a little


    breathless.


    “Wait till you see inside,” Rafeughs, ncing at Luca and Ben, who is also staring at the coach,


    dazzled. But before we can get any further a group of guards step onto the tform in front of us, a


    handcuffed cadet between them.


    And all of us simultaneously go still because…


    Well, because it’s Wright.


    And god, but he looks like shit.


    Wright’s face lifts at the sudden silence before him and he flinches immediately back when he sees


    Rafe, Jesse, Luca, and Ben at my side – all of my Alphas, who bare their teeth and take defensive


    stances, ready to spring at him if he even takes one wrong stumbling step in my direction.


    But when his eyes fall on me, Wright can’t help the cruel snarl that twists his face. He doesn’t say a


    word, but the hate radiates off him, nearly palpable in the air. As he stares at me I know without a


    doubt that he doesn’t regret a damn thing. In fact, if he had the chance? He would absolutely try to


    murder me again, his reasons formitting the crime now onlypounded in his mind.


    Still, despite his venom and his determination, something about this – about Wright shackled and


    beaten while I stand, healthy and hale, with my best friends and my family all around?


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    I realize, now, my power. That even if Wright can kill me with his bare hands…


    Well, I’ve got much more than bare hands to defend myself with, don’t I?


    “Hey, Wright,” I say, far too cheerful as I put on my best Princess smile and step forward to greet


    him, my hands innocently tucked behind my back. I purse my lips a little in mock pity as I look him


    over, taking in each and every one of his bruises. “Did you have…a rough couple days?”


    The snarl that rips from Wright’s mouth is vicious and deadly, but one of his guards just cuffs him


    over the back of the head and he stumbles forward, moving along.


    “Have a nice winter break!” I call over my shoulder as my enemy walks away, a little gleeful at my


    victory over this terrible man. Luca, pleased,ughs and puts an arm around my shoulders giving


    me a squeeze.


    “He’s going to have an absolute shit winter break,” Rafe murmurs, slipping his hands into his


    pockets and watching Wright go as Jesse and Ben climb up the little set of gilt stairs and into our


    train car. “He’s being incarcerated over the holidays, so he’ll be in a cell while we’re all celebrating.


    But his trial will be held after the holidays pass, but before we return to school.”


    “So, even though he was used – and he totally tried to murder me - he was allowed to take the


    candidate finals?” I ask, looking up at my brother, curious.


    Rafe slowly nods, meeting my eyes. “It’s all still allegations at this point, Ari. If he is dered


    innocent, he’ll return to school. They had to let him take the tests to see if he’d pass.”