We stood our ground now.
For once, we weren't cowering behind doors or hiding in our rooms, hoping the storm would pass. We were the storm now, or at least the whisper of one.
The courtyard was still. The morning sun filtered through the academy towers, casting long shadows over the stony path beneath our feet. Beside me, Felix stood firm, arms folded like a silent wall. Elise lingered behind, but her presence was steady, quiet strength in the background. And Callum—
I turned to glance at him.
Callum, the one who never raised his voice. Whom always bore bruises on his arms and neck but never let us see him flinch. He always spoke softly, as if louder words would bring punishment down harder. But today, he stood tall, chin raised, his shoulders set like stone.
He had come.
He had chosen to stand.
And something about that... made my chest tighten with pride.
He caught my eyes for a second and gave me a small nod. That was all I needed. That one silent gesture said it all, I believe in this. I believe in you.
But of course, peace doesn't last long here. Not for us.
Not even ten minutes later, I felt it, like a cold wind down my spine.
The change in the air. The silence twisting into something heavier.
I heard the steps before I saw them. Confident. Arrogant. Entitled.
The elites were back.
But they weren't alone this time.
At the center of the group were two wolves I had hoped I wouldn't see again.
Selene Ashthorne.
And her brother, Alistair.
The Ashthornes.
My stomach twisted like a vice was crushing it from the inside out. My breath caught, and I tasted the bitter tang of fear rising in my throat. Selene's platinum blonde hair shimmered like a blade in the light, and her icy eyes locked onto me the moment she stepped into view. Beside her, Alistair wore that trademark smirk, the one he wore every time he broke something he knew no one would punish him for.
And I knew right then.
This wasn't just another elite show of power.
This was personal.
Selene had sworn to kill me. To make an example of me. She'd whispered it into my ear the last time I barely escaped her claws. And I had been running since.
But I couldn't run now.
Not when all the ferals, my people, stood behind me. Looking to me for leadership. For strength.
Running wasn't an option anymore.
Not when I was no longer standing alone.
Not when I had lit this fire and dared to believe we could change something.
The Ashthornes stopped at the edge of the courtyard, their entourage of elites fanning out around them like a wall of privilege and menace. They didn't speak at first. They just looked at us, at me, with open disgust.
Selene's lip curled. "You've gotten brave," she said coolly, her voice slicing through the morning air like a dagger wrapped in silk. "How adorable."
Alistair laughed, low and cruel. "I told you she'd show herself eventually. Like a rat that thinks the open street is safe just because a few other rats followed her out."
The elites behind them snickered.
I didn't speak
Selene took a step forward, and every feral behind me tensed, the weight of their fear rippling like a current. I felt it too, crawling over my skin.
But I didn't move.
Selene's eyes narrowed, as if she couldn't quite believe I hadn't dropped to my knees yet. "You've forgotten your place, Lorraine Anderson. Don't worry, I came to remind you."
I didn't back down.
I swallowed the bile in my throat and raised my chin, staring her down even though my heart thundered like war drums inside me.
"I know exactly where I stand," I said, my voice steady. "And I'm not running anymore."
Selene's smile didn't reach her eyes.
Then she turned her gaze past me, to the others, the ferals who had dared to step out from the shadows. "You think standing beside this trash will save you?" she asked them. "You think you're safe now, just because you've got numbers? You forget who we are."
Selene smiled again
Not the kind of smile that meant amusement or mockery, but the kind you'd see on a wolf moments before it tore into flesh. Cold. Cruel. Certain.
She took one slow step closer, her pale eyes locked on mine like a predator to prey.
"Oh, look at you," she said, her voice laced with venom and amusement. "Standing there like a little hero. You think this stupid little stunt, this pathetic protest, is going to change anything?"
Her gaze flicked to the ferals behind me again. "You really thought you'd inspire them? That you could rise above what you are?"
She laughed. A low, twisted sound.
"I don't care how many weaklings you rally behind you, Lorraine. I'm still keeping my promise." Her smile widened. "Today is going to be your last day."
I didn't move.
Even though my knees trembled, even though my heartbeat pounded like a drum in my ears, I didn't move.
But Selene did.
Her hand shot out toward me, fast, so fast.
I barely had time to react.
But Callum did.
He stepped in front of me without hesitation, his body slamming into hers mid-reach.
Then Felix was there too, shielding me with his frame.
Everything exploded after that.
Voices screamed. Bodies clashed.
A fight had broken out right before my eyes—ferals and elites colliding in a mess of fists, claws, and fury.
But was it even a fight?
It was a slaughter.
The elites were stronger. So much stronger. Their hits landed like thunder. Their claws tore through skin like it was paper. The ferals didn't stand a chance. I watched one drop with a cry, blood gushing from his split scalp. Another crumpled to the ground, clutching her side as an elite kicked her again and again.
"No—stop!" I screamed, pushing forward, but Felix caught my arm, holding me back.
Then I saw her.
Selene.
She was coming at me again, eyes blazing, her lips curled into a snarl.
And Callum—
Callum stepped in front of me once more.
"No!" I shouted, grabbing his shoulder, trying to pull him back, but he stood his ground.
Selene didn't even hesitate.
She lunged.
Her hand grabbed Callum by the shoulder.
And then.....
With a sickening, wet crack....
She ripped his arm out of his body.
Everything froze.
My scream tore through the air, raw and animalistic, as blood sprayed, hot and crimson, across my face, my chest, the ground. Callum's eyes widened, his mouth opening in a soundless gasp as he dropped to his knees. The severed limb fell beside him with a thud that echoed louder than it should have.
The world around me dimmed.
Sound bled out.
All I could see was the blood.
His blood.
So much of it.
Callum collapsed, his body twitching. His skin turned pale in seconds, the color draining from his face like life itself was running away.