Chapter 80
Elara's POV
"Ethan didn't teach you that." Victoria's voice was flat. Final. "Don't insult my intelligence with that pathetic excuse."
My throat went tight. I forced myself to keep breathing. To hold her gaze.
"I don't know what else you want me to say."
"The truth." She stepped closer. "Who really trained you? Where did you learn to fight like a professional soldier?"
My heart hammered. Every answer I could give would only dig me deeper.
I thought about the frozen north. About Lynette's years of brutal training. About skills I couldn't explain without revealing everything.
None of that could ever leave my lips.
"I already told you—"
"Stop." Victoria held up one hand. Her eyes burned into mine. "I've been watching wolves for twenty years. I know when someone is performing. And you're performing. Just like Kael."
The mention of his name twisted something in my chest.
"I'm not working with Kael." The words came out harder than I intended. "I barely know him."
"Then explain why you defended him." Her voice dropped. "Why a supposedly weak Omega girl stood up to me at that rest stop."
Damn it.
I'd been reckless that day. Let emotion override judgment.
Before I could answer, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Warren's voice boomed from somewhere beyond the trees. "All students! Assembly point! Now!"
Victoria's jaw clenched. Her eyes stayed locked on mine for three more seconds.
Then she exhaled slowly through her nose.
"We'll finish this later." Each word was clipped. Controlled.
She turned. Walked away toward the main facility. Her back rigid.
I stood there. Alone in the clearing.
My hands were shaking.
I shoved them into my pockets and headed toward the assembly point.
---
The assembly point was chaos. Students clustered in small groups. Voices overlapping. Some looked exhausted. Others pumped with adrenaline.
Warren stood at the center. Clipboard in hand. His expression gave nothing away.
I kept to the edge of the crowd. Head down. Trying to blend in.
It didn't work.
I felt eyes on me. Multiple sets. Whispers followed.
"Did you see her take down Alice?"
"How did an Omega—"
"She's not even supposed to be here."
I ignored them. Focused on Warren.
He cleared his throat. The noise died down.
"Exercise complete. You all performed... adequately." His tone made it clear "adequate" wasn't a compliment. "Those advancing to the next phase will be notified individually. The rest of you—learn from today. Dismissed."
Students started to disperse. Some congratulated each other. Others shot me looks. Curious. Suspicious. Hostile.
Dylan walked past. He didn't look at me. But his shoulders were tight. His jaw clenched.
He was pissed.
I didn't care.
---
The parking lot was already half-empty by the time I got there. The black bus sat waiting. Engine rumbling.
I climbed on. Chose a seat in the back corner. Away from everyone.
Through the window I saw Victoria emerge from the instructor building. Her phone was pressed to her ear. Her free hand gestured sharply.
She looked stressed. More than stressed. Frantic.
Her eyes flicked toward the bus. For a second I thought she was going to come over.
She didn't.
Instead she turned. Walked quickly to her car. Got in. Drove off.
I frowned. Watched until her taillights disappeared.
Something was wrong.
---
The bus lurched forward. Started the drive back to Misty Creek.
I leaned against the window. Closed my eyes. Tried to look like I was resting.
I wasn't.
My mind wouldn't shut off.
Victoria's words kept circling back. You're pretending too. Just like Kael.
Was she right?
No. I wasn't pretending. I was surviving.
There was a difference.
Wasn't there?
The bus turned onto a narrow forest road. Trees pressed close on both sides. Branches scraped the roof.
I opened my eyes.
Two rows ahead. A girl with red hair glanced back at me. Then quickly looked away when our eyes met.
Further up. Dylan was talking to another guy. Low voices. But I caught the way they both turned. Stared at me for a beat too long.
My stomach tightened.
I'd drawn too much attention today. Way too much.
I pulled my hood up. Sank lower in my seat.
The rest of the ride passed in tense silence.
---
The bus stopped in the town center. Right by the main commercial street.
Students filed off. Most headed toward the school parking lot to get their cars. Others walked toward the residential areas.
I stayed on until almost everyone was gone. Then got off.
The evening air was cold. Sharp. I pulled my jacket tighter.
I needed to catch the public bus home. The stop was two blocks over.
I started walking. Kept my head down. Hands in my pockets.
Then I heard it.
An engine.
Close. Idling. And with it, a faint, muffled sound—like a gasp being cut short.
I should have kept walking.
I didn't
I stepped into the alley. Pressed my back against the wall. Moved forward slowly.
At the end of the alley. A black SUV. Parked with the engine running.
The back door was open.
Two men stood beside it. Big. Dressed in dark clothes. One had a phone to his ear.
And between them—
Victoria.
My breath caught.
Her arms were pinned behind her back. She was struggling. Trying to pull away.
One of the men said something I couldn't hear. Shoved her toward the car.
She stumbled. Caught herself. Then went still.
Too still.
Like she'd given up. Or been threatened into compliance.
They pushed her into the backseat. Slammed the door.
The man with the phone spoke. Low. Urgent. "Move fast. Don't draw attention."
They got in. The SUV pulled out of the alley. Turned left. Disappeared down the street.
I stood there. Frozen.
This wasn't random.
This wasn't some mugging or opportunistic kidnapping.
This was planned.
And Victoria—Kael's mother—was gone.
---
I ran.
Out of the alley. Onto the main street. My eyes scanned for a taxi. Anything.
There.
A yellow cab was pulling up to the curb. Dropping someone off.
I sprinted over. Yanked the door open before the previous passenger was even fully out.
"Hey—"
"Sorry!" I slid into the backseat. Slammed the door.
The driver turned around. Middle-aged. Balding. Annoyed. "Kid. I'm off duty—"
"Please." I leaned forward. Pointed out the windshield. "See that black SUV? Two blocks ahead?"
He squinted. "Yeah?"
"Follow it. My friend is in that car."
He frowned. "Look. I don't want trouble—"
"I'll pay double the fare. Just don't lose them."
He hesitated. Then sighed. Put the car in drive.
We pulled into traffic. Stayed a few car lengths behind the SUV.
I kept my eyes locked on it. My heart was pounding.
Who were those men?
Why take Victoria?