Chapter 134 The lockdown

Chapter 134 The lockdown
Chapter 134

DARIUS

We got on the bike and drove out of Mooncrest territory back towards the academy. My mother's words echoed in my head the entire journey.

“Kill Caleb. Send his head back to his pack.”

When we arrived at the academy gates, something felt wrong immediately.

The place was completely silent. No students walking around like usual. There was no voices, laughter or even the usual coming from the dormitories.

Nothing.

"Is everything alright?" Dorian asked behind me. "Where is everyone?"

"I do not know. The only way to find out is to go check on Ravenna and Samantha's room."

I parked my bike in the usual spot and we headed on foot towards the dormitory building.

Security guards were everywhere. More than I had ever seen before. They patrolled every corridor, every corner, every entrance. We had to dodge several of them just to get inside.

"If a curfew has been raised and we get caught," Dorian whispered, "we will be charged for leaving school grounds. I am not ready to be stuck in detention."

"Then do not get caught."

We made it to the girls' dormitory floor and found their room. I knocked on the door but there’s no reply. I knocked again, harder this time but still nothing

"Do you think they are alright?" Dorian's worry was clear in his voice. "Why are they not responding?"

I pulled out my phone and texted Ravenna.

“Hey Raven, It's me. Open the door.”

A few minutes passed with no response.

"I am opening it," I muttered, pulling out my pocket knife.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

"Do you have a better one?"

I worked the lock carefully. It took less than a minute to get it open.

The moment I pushed the door inward; cold metal pressed against my temple.

"Do not move," Ravenna's voice was low and deadly serious. "Or I will shoot."

"Ravenna," I spoke quietly, keeping very still. "It is Darius and Dorian."

The pressure on my temple disappeared immediately.

"Oh my God," Ravenna lowered the gun quickly. "I am so sorry. I did not know it was you."

Dorian slipped inside behind me and I closed the door, locking it. Samantha sat on her bed, completely frozen. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide with terror.

I carefully took the gun from Ravenna's shaking hands and examined it. Then I handed it back to her.

"Keep this for next time," I told her seriously. "But when someone tries to break in, do not just hold the gun on them. Grab their hands too and disarm them if you can. Because if you leave their hands free, they can dismantle the weapon."

Ravenna nodded, taking the gun back. "Thank you."

"How are you?" I asked.

She was silent for a long moment. Then she just whispered, "Good. I am good."

Across the room, Dorian had already crossed to Samantha's bed and pulled her into his arms. He rocked her gently whilst she clung to him. We all settled onto the floor between the two beds.

"What happened here?" I asked. "Where did all the students go?"

Ravenna took a shaky breath. "Another fight broke out in the school cafeteria whilst the security were trying to round up students and break up the earlier fights."

"Another one?" Dorian looked up from where he was still holding Samantha.

"Yes. But this one was worse. Much worse." Ravenna wrapped her arms around herself. "I do not know how they got it into the school, but the Silverthorn students had a machine gun."

My blood ran cold. "A what?"

"A machine gun. They used it to kill every Mooncrest student in the cafeteria. Every single one. And all the kitchen staff too. Then they burned the entire cafeteria down."

"Oh, my goodness," Dorian whispered.

"More security had to be called in because half of the securities already here were taken down by the shooters. Students trying to get back to their rooms like security instructed were shot in the corridors."

Ravenna paused, her hands shaking slightly. "About an hour ago, reinforcements finally arrived and captured the gunmen. Then they announced that students needed to gather a few supplies because we are being locked down. The shops are still protected—security is stationed at every entrance—so there are no fights there. I went and got food for us."

"And now?" I prompted gently.

"Now we are instructed to remain in our rooms until further notice. Doors must be locked and windows closed. If anyone is found roaming the halls without permission, they will be expelled immediately."

I let out a long breath. "That is really a lot."

"Yes."

"I brought some snacks from home," I offered. "But first, we should move that wardrobe in front of the door for extra security."

Both girls' faces brightened slightly. "You are staying with us?"

"Yes. If that is alright."

"Of course it is!" Samantha spoke for the first time. "Thank you so much."

"There is enough food for all of us," Ravenna added quietly.

We all stood up and worked together to drag Selene's old wardrobe across the room until it blocked the door completely. It would not stop a determined attacker, but it would slow them down and make noise.

I opened the package my mother had given me and spread the contents across the floor. She had packed biscuits, crisps, chocolates, dried fruit and fruit juice.  

"Help yourselves," I told them.

We sat in a circle and started eating. Nobody talked much. We were all too exhausted.

Then the speaker system in the hallway crackled to life.

“Attention all students. Due to recent violent activities caused by conflicts between Silverthorn Pack and Mooncrest Pack members, all classes are hereby suspended indefinitely. Classes may be rescheduled online at a later date. Security personnel have been dispatched to every corridor, turn, and hall of this academy. No student should be found roaming outside their designated rooms under any circumstances.”

The announcement paused, then continued.

“If your room runs out of food or supplies, there is a security officer stationed at the end of every hallway. You must inform them first and obtain a written pass before leaving your room. Any student found outside without a proper pass will face immediate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. This is not a drill. This is a full lockdown. Stay in your rooms. Stay safe.”

The speaker clicked off.

"This is really serious," I muttered.

"Very serious," Dorian agreed.

"I will get my clothes later," I decided. "When things calm down a bit."

Then I remembered something. "Where were you two last night? We tried to check on you but your door was locked from the inside."

"We were here," Ravenna replied quickly.

I frowned. "How come we did not find you then?"

Ravenna went very quiet. She looked down at her hands and refused to say anything more. I did not push. If she did not want to talk about it, that was her choice.

We all took turns using the bathroom. The girls lent Dorian and me some spare clothes that were far too small but better than nothing.

When it came time to sleep, Dorian naturally climbed into Samantha's bed. She did not protest. Just moved over to make room for him.

That left Ravenna's bed for me.

I stood there awkwardly for a moment. "Is this alright? I can sleep on the floor if you prefer."

"It is fine," Ravenna climbed under the covers on one side. "Just stay on your side."

"I will."

I got into bed carefully, making sure to leave plenty of space between us. The room was dark except for the faint light coming through the curtains from the security lights outside.

I could feel Ravenna staring at me. I turned my head slightly and found her watching me with an expression I could not read.

"Are you alright?" I asked quietly. "If you do not want me here, you can say so. I will sleep on the floor or in the hallway."

She was silent for a long moment.

Then she whispered, "Thank you for staying with us tonight."

"Of course."

"Goodnight, Darius."

She turned over to face the wall, her back to me.

"Goodnight, Ravenna."

I lay there staring at the ceiling, hyperaware of her presence beside me, of every breath she took and the way she shifted slightly under the covers.

Atlas was purring contentedly in my head. He was happy just to be this close to our mate.

But I could not sleep. I could not stop thinking about everything that had happened.

And somewhere in all of that chaos, I was lying in bed next to the one person I would protect with my life.

Even if she never wanted me to.