Chapter 22 The Hunt
Wynter's POV
Day One - 7:23 AM
The first whisper was planted in the library's quiet study section—the one where sound carried perfectly to the tables behind the stacks.
I sat two tables away, pretending to read my History of Pack Law textbook, and watched Chase's friend Ethan "accidentally" mention it to a group of sophomores.
"Did you hear about Vivian Pierce?" His voice was pitched just right—concerned, not gossipy. "Someone said she had a panic attack in her dorm last night."
The information spread like ripples in a pond.
By breakfast, the rumor had evolved.
By lunch, it had grown teeth.
---
Day One - 11:47 AM
The cafeteria was packed when I walked in with Rosalie. I could feel eyes tracking me—they always did now, ever since the hearing.
But I kept my head up, shoulders back. The days of trying to be invisible were over.
"There," Rosalie murmured, nodding toward Anne's usual table by the windows.
Vivian sat beside Anne, but even from across the room I could see how wrong she looked. Her face was pale, almost gray. Her hands trembled as she tried to lift her fork. And when Anne leaned over to whisper something in her ear, Vivian flinched like she'd been struck.
Good, my wolf purred. Let her feel what it's like to be the prey.
Despite the sting at the connection point, my wolf let out a satisfied rumble.
I deliberately chose a table with a clear sightline to Anne's group. Around us, I could hear the whispers multiplying:
"—heard she can't sleep anymore—"
"—keeps having nightmares about what they did to Wynter Vaughn—"
"—someone said she's thinking about going to the Council—"
Each whisper was carefully crafted, strategically placed. Chase had planned this with military precision, and it was working.
I watched Anne's posture stiffen as a snippet of conversation from the next table drifted over. Watched her lean toward Vivian and say something sharp. Watched Vivian's eyes fill with tears.
The trap is closing, my wolf observed with satisfaction.
Then Anne's eyes found mine across the cafeteria.
For a moment, we just stared at each other. Two wolves recognizing the challenge in each other's gaze.
I smiled. Slow and cold and full of promise.
Anne's face flushed with fury, and I saw her start to stand—but Natalie's hand on her arm stopped her.
Not yet. But soon.
---
Day One - 6:34 PM
The confrontation came as I was walking back to the dorms.
I heard the rapid footsteps behind me, but I didn't run. Didn't even speed up.
Let her come, my wolf growled. Let her try.
"Wynter."
Anne's voice was sharp enough to cut. I turned slowly, deliberately, and found her flanked by Natalie and Scarlett.
The old me would have looked for an escape route.
The new me just waited.
"We need to talk," Anne said, her voice dripping false sweetness.
"No," I said simply. "We don't."
Surprise flickered across her face. She wasn't used to being denied.
"So aggressive now," Anne said, taking a step closer. "What happened to the sweet little Beta who used to apologize for existing?"
"She learned," I said, and felt my wolf rise to the surface. Felt my eyes flash gold before I controlled it. "She learned that being soft just makes you an easier target."
Anne's smile sharpened into something ugly. "Is that what you think you are now? Hard? Dangerous?" She laughed. "You're nothing, Wynter. A cursed Beta with a ruined Mark. Chase will throw you away eventually, and then—"
"Then what?" I interrupted, taking a step forward.
Anne actually backed up. Just one step, but I saw it. Saw Natalie and Scarlett notice it too.
"Then you'll finally get what you want?" I continued, my voice dropping to something cold and sharp. "Chase will suddenly decide he loves you after all?"
I laughed, harsh and bitter. "He doesn't love you, Anne. He never did. And destroying me won't change that. You could erase every Beta in this school, and he still wouldn't want you."
"You bitch—" Anne started forward, but Natalie's hand shot out to grab her arm.
"Anne," Natalie said urgently, her eyes darting around. "People are watching."
And they were. Students had stopped in the pathways, phones out, clearly recording.
I saw the moment Anne realized it. Saw her struggle to compose herself, to force her expression back into something resembling calm.
"This isn't over," she said, her voice low and venomous.
"No," I agreed, holding her gaze without flinching. "It's not. But next time you come for me, Anne—" I let my wolf flash in my eyes again, brief and bright, "—make sure you finish the job. Because I promise you, I will."
I turned and walked away, feeling their eyes burning into my back. But I didn't run. Didn't hurry.
We didn't run, my wolf crowed. We made the predator back down.
Rosalie appeared at my elbow as I rounded the corner.
"Holy shit," she breathed. "Wyn, that was incredible. You faced down Anne Kaine in front of witnesses and made her back down."
"She's going to retaliate," I said, my hands starting to shake. "She has to now. I embarrassed her publicly."
"Good," Rosalie said fiercely. "Let her try. You're not alone anymore."
---
Day Two - 8:15 AM
By morning, the confrontation had spread through the school like wildfire:
"—did you see the video? Wynter Vaughn made Anne back down—"
"—Anne actually looked scared—"
But the whispers about Vivian had evolved too:
"—heard her parents came to campus yesterday—"
"—she's withdrawing from the academy—"
"—someone said she's going to confess everything to the Council—"
I watched Anne during breakfast. Watched her check her phone obsessively, watched her lean over to whisper urgently to Natalie, watched her eyes dart to Vivian every few seconds.
Vivian wasn't even at their table. She'd sat alone in the corner, looking like she might shatter at any moment.
The pressure is working, my wolf observed. Both of them are breaking.
---
Day Two - 6:00 PM
I was in my dorm room when my phone buzzed.
Unknown number: I need to see Chase Sterling. Now. Please help me arrange it. —V
My hands shook as I stared at the screen.
"Is that—" Rosalie started from her bed.
"Vivian," I confirmed. "She's reaching out."
I forwarded the message to Chase, then typed back:
Astronomy tower. Midnight. Come alone.
Rosalie's face creased with worry. "What if it's a trap?"
"It's not," I said, though my wolf was already restless. "Anne's scared. This is working."
My phone buzzed again—Chase: I'll be there. Jax is coming too. Don't go alone under any circumstances.
Another message from Vivian: Thank you. I'm so sorry. For everything.
I stared at those words, feeling something complicated twist in my chest.
Don't apologize yet, I typed back. Just be there. And Vivian—if this is a trap, if you're working with Anne, I promise you'll regret it.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then: It's not a trap. I'm just tired of being afraid.
I understood that feeling better than she knew.
---
11:30 PM
The campus was dark and quiet as Chase, Jax, and I made our way toward the astronomy tower.
"Jax splits off here," Chase said quietly. "He'll take the service route, stay hidden."
Jax melted into the shadows without a word.
Chase and I continued toward the main entrance. My heart was pounding.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"No," I admitted. "I keep thinking about what Anne might do if she knows Vivian's meeting us."