Chapter 63 Once And For All
Chapter 63 Once And For All
ARDEN
The prelims were finally over.
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After days filled with tears, sweat, and fervent prayers, it was done. Because the school imed to want to take care of our ‘mental health‘ and overall ‘well–being, they were sending us on a two–day, one–night vacation, sponsored by Mr. Winters
<b>himself</b>.
Mr, Winters decided to send us freshmen to a serene nature retreat while the seniors enjoyed a beach getaway, all while the teachers prepped the grades and finalized the semester results.
We were told this was a “well–earned break,” It was a nice gesture, <b>that </b>is, if you could overlook the fact that this <b>was </b>the first time he <b>had </b>ever done anything like it.
That alone was enough to make my <b>wolf </b>perk up, ears mentally pinned back in suspicion. Why now? Why <b>this </b>sudden wave of generosity? It didn’t feel like a reward: it felt more like a distraction.
T
I still remembered the footage–the constant presence of his piercing eyes.
Where is he taking those videos<b>? </b>
What’s he doing with them?
My gaze shifted toward the front of the bus, hoping to find some answers. But all I saw <b>was </b>Tessa beside me, legs crossed, engrossed in her phone.
“Did you hear?” she asked, breaking the silence.
I turned my head to her. “Hmm?”
-Sienna’s back with the West.”
I sat up straighter, incredulity coursing through me. “What?
Tessa nodded, her expression serious. “Apparently, she was readmitted yesterday. It looks like Mr. Winters pulled some strings <b>for </b>her. Jaxon must have epted her <b>back </b>after all.”
That didn’t surprise me in the slightest. “Sienna’s parents are quite influential back in our pack. They might have put in a good word.”
She shook her head. “That girl always has a way ofnding on her feet, doesn’t she?”
We pulled into the campsite thirty minutester, and my attention was stolen by the breathtaking <b>sight </b>ahead.
“Wow,” “Tessa muttered, her eyes wide with wonder.
Yeah, that <b>was </b>putting it mildly,
Wooden cabins nestled in a perfect ring around a massive fire pit. Eairy lights adorned the trees above, and a small river meandered along the clearing’s edge like something right ou of a <b>postcard</b><b>. </b>The scent of moss, pine, and running water hit my <b>nose</b>, <b>instantly </b>calming my restless wolf.
It was beautiful. If there <b>was </b>one thing Mr. Winters did right, it was <b>choosing </b>this magnificent <b>location</b>.
Sir Thompson and Miss Loveson stood at the center, clipboards in <b>hand</b>, waving cheerfully <b>as </b>the students poured off the bus and from their private cars.
“Everyone! Grab your bags and check the boards for room assignments!“
I stepped off the bus and took a deep breath, already feeling lighterpared to when I was in Elite. This <b>ce </b>was truly
ade for creatures like us
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Chapter 63 Once And For All
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I <b>followed </b>the others toward the rooming chart nailed to a <b>thick </b>pine trunk. I scanned down the list for my room assignment.
namme
and the
“4B,” I mattered to myself.
Tessa eximed excitedly, “48? I’m also in <b>that </b>room!”
I smiled brightly, thrilled with the news. This was already turning out better than I had imagined. We grabbed our bags and made our way to the designated room.
However, the moment I opened the door, my fleeting happiness was about to be shattered.
Sitting on the bed by the window, brushing her perfectly styled hair, was none other than Sienna.
Tessa froze beside me. “I’d rather room with a <b>wild </b>bear,” she muttered.
“Bears are easier to reason with.” I whispered back, stifling a <bugh</b>.
Sienna narrowed her eyes at us, a smug expression spreading across her face. “I can hear you, you know?”
“There are <b>two </b>of us, and only one of her,” Tessa whispered in <b>a </b>much smaller voice, making sure Sienna wouldn’t catch her. words despite her heightened senses. “Maybe we should just knock her out and drag her to another room.”
I held back a chuckle, choosing my words carefully. “Let’s just ignore her,” I <b>said </b>loudly, turning to the other bed. However, her belongings were strewn across it.
Of course.
After <b>all </b>the humiliation, Sienna remained the worst.
Even with just the three of us in the room, her presence somehow managed to take up more space than it should have. Her overpowering perfume filled <b>the </b>air, <b>as </b>if she had bathed in it. Was she not a werewolf? Didn’t she <b>have </b>the ability to smell herself?
I stepped forward without saying a word, grabbed her <b>things</b>, and flung them off the bed. Her designer tote tipped over, causing makeup and brushes to spill out onto the floor in a delightful little avnche.
“Hey!” she gasped, <b>her </b>voice rising <b>in </b>an indignant screech.
But I was already grabbing Tessa by the wrist and tugging her toward the door. “Come on,” I muttered, eager to escape the mounting termion.
We were giggling before we even stepped out of the cabin.
By the time we finally reached theke, the sun had climbed high in the sky, <b>casting </b><b>a </b>warm glow over everything. Once again, the stunning view provided aforting balm after all the irritation Sienna had caused
Dozens of students were already there, their voices ttering together inughter. Some had stripped down to their swimsuits, while others lounged on <b>nkets </b>or walked barefoot along the rocky shore.
“You can swim if you want.” I suggested.
Tessa shook her head <b>and </b>settled down beside me on the rocky slope. “I don’t want to get wet. I just want to sit with you.” For a while, we fell into afortable silence, allowing theforting sounds of theke to <b>wash </b>over <b>us</b>.
Are <b>you </b>alright now?” I <b>finally </b>asked, breaking the stillness. She still seemed a bit down from time to time, and I wanted to check in on her
Tessa imiled softly, the brief shadow lifting from her features. “Yeah. I <b>just </b>had a headache that day–probably from all the reviewing for finals. Now that it’s done, I can finally <b>rx</b>.
I nodded and gave her a gentle pat on the back, wanting to reassure her.
“It would’ve been nice if Owen could <b>have </be with us<b>,</b>” I said.
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Chapter 63 Once And For All
“<b>Yeah</b>,” she muttered, closing her eyes and savoring the calming sounds of the water
However, our tranquility was short–lived.
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A series of squeals erupted from the other end of theke, and I nced over to see a small crowd beginning to gather.
I already knew what thatmotion signified before I even spotted them
The True Alphas had <b>arrived</b>.
As expected, they didn’te quietly. Their mere presencemanded amemtion like no other. Tessa nudged my shoulder. a yful grin on her face. “They’re all looking at you.”
I rolled my eyes, trying to dismiss her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
But I made the mistake of looking.
Sadly, Tessa wasn’t wrong.
Jaxon was the first to step forward, pulling his shirt over his head and letting it drop to the grass. His chest was broad, and
every muscle in his body appeared sculpted.
Each of his movements screamed Alpha disy, and he didn’t even bother hiding the way his gaze settled on me.
Before I could collect my thoughts, Rowan was already shrugging off his shirt. “Let’s make it fun” be called out to the others. shing me a grin <b>that </b>was far too pleased with itself. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he sprinted forward and dove into theke, sending up a massive ssh in his wake.
“Seriously?” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
Elias rolled his eyes but <b>soon </b>followed suit. He was leaner than the others, yet every inch of him was toned and defined. He waded into the water calmly before diving in, gliding gracefully beneath the surface.
Of course, Cade was thest one to join in. For a moment, I thought he might sit this one out, avoiding whatever disy this was. But then he <b>slowly </b>removed his <b>shirt </b>too.
Not in a hurry like the others. Instead, he tugged it off deliberately, seemingly indifferent to the attention his body was drawing–<b>which</b>, of course, only made the crowd squeal even louder in reaction.
“Damn,” <b>Tessa </b>even muttered <b>right </b>next to me, her tone barely concealing her awe.
I’d seen his body multiple times before. I had even touched it
Yet somehow, it still made heat creep up my neck. Just <b>his </b><b>back </b>alone could <b>make </b>a girl faint, broad and lined with seats that told stories none of us knew. He turned his head in my direction briefly, and I <b>quickly </b>looked away, pretending there was something incredibly interesting in the trees.
The four of them hit the <b>water </b>at different times, but it was clear by how the students lined the shore that they were racing against one another. Half the girls were cheering as if they were watching a championship. And I had to admit, it was oddly
surreal.
The True Alphas of Fenra were engaging in something so unnecessary.
Rowan reached the buoy first, with Cade <b>hot </b><b>on </b>his heels.
“You had a head start,” Cade muttered yfully, but Rowan merelyughed and sshed water in his direction. Elias came in close thard, but he didn’t seeni tou bothered by the <b>loss</b><b>. </b>Surprisingly, <b>Jaxon</b>, <b>despite </b>going into the water <b>first</b>, came inst nursing as he swam back to the shore.
“What the heck is happening right now?” I whispered to Tessa.
This feels like a mating disy,” she replied casually, biting her lip and casting her gaze back <b>toward </b>theke. “It’s like a full-
show of strengil. All for you!
I shook my head vehemently “I want no part in it.”
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Chapter 63 Once And For All
Tessa offered a teasing smile. “Thanks, though. Because of you, I’m enjoying this view.
That remark sent both of us into a fit of giggles.
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SIENNA
Why
Why is it always her?
I stood just behind the trees, far enough away that they wouldn’t spot me but close enough that I couldn’t look away. Arden sat by theke, her hair catching the breeze in a way that made her look ethereal. The <b>Alphas </b>weren’t near her, <b>but </b>every single one of them <b>kept </b>ncing her way.
It just wasn’t fair.
She doesn’t even try. She doesn’t flirt. She doesn’t bat hershes or wear anything that reveals her body.
My fists clenched at my sides, my nails biting <b>into </b>my skin. I wanted to scream, to rip away that attention from her. I had. been trying so hard! I’ve always put in the effort. And yet, it’s never enough.
She had dodged all of the bullets thus far.
<b>But </b>it’s time to end this<b>. </b>
Once and for all.