Chapter 250

We basically have to sprint across the field where the candidate barracks are to get down to the train tracks in time. The sleek train is waiting there, puffing steam, filling with cadets all eager to get home for winter break. As we run I mentally thank my mother again for her healing powers – who would have thought that two days ago I was basically dead over Jackson’s shoulder, and now here I am dashing across a field with my best friends, a mostly-empty bag bouncing on my back?

When we get down to the tracks I see that the platform itself is getting sparse, pretty much all the cadets already having boarded, and I dart immediately for a door to the train, wanting to get in and get a seat. But before I can even grab the little handle to lift myself into the closest train car, Jesse grabs my arm.

“Ari, what are you doing!?”

I spin, stumbling a little as I look up at him. “I’m getting on the damn train, Jesse!”

My cousin just grins down at me and gestures down the tracks. “Come on,” he says, laughing. “Our seats are back here.”

“What?” I let myself be lead down the line, frowning the whole way, but then my face shifts quickly into surprise and delight when I see the bright red caboose attached to the end of the train.

Because of course. Of course mom and dad sent the royal car for us to take back to the city.

“Oh my god,” I murmur, my hands going to my cheeks, my embarrassment competing with my pleasure and losing immediately. “That’s…that’s so nice of them.”

“Whoa,” Luca says at my side, and I jump a little when I realize that it’s him standing there. And then I burst into a grin as he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me tight for a second before turning his gaze back to the train itself. I watch his eyebrows raise as he takes in the beautiful coach with its

cheerful, shiny red sides, its gilt details. “We are traveling in style today.” His voice is a little breathless.

“Wait till you see inside,” Rafe laughs, glancing at Luca and Ben, who is also staring at the coach, dazzled. But before we can get any further a group of guards step onto the platform in front of us, a handcuffed cadet between them.

And all of us simultaneously go still because…

Well, because it’s Wright.

And god, but he looks like shit.

Wright’s face lifts at the sudden silence before him and he flinches immediately back when he sees Rafe, Jesse, Luca, and Ben at my side – all of my Alphas, who bare their teeth and take defensive stances, ready to spring at him if he even takes one wrong stumbling step in my direction.

But when his eyes fall on me, Wright can’t help the cruel snarl that twists his face. He doesn’t say a word, but the hate radiates off him, nearly palpable in the air. As he stares at me I know without a doubt that he doesn’t regret a damn thing. In fact, if he had the chance? He would absolutely try to murder me again, his reasons for committing the crime now only compounded in his mind.

Still, despite his venom and his determination, something about this – about Wright shackled and beaten while I stand, healthy and hale, with my best friends and my family all around?

I realize, now, my power. That even if Wright can kill me with his bare hands…

Well, I’ve got much more than bare hands to defend myself with, don’t I?

“Hey, Wright,” I say, far too cheerful as I put on my best Princess smile and step forward to greet him, my hands innocently tucked behind my back. I purse my lips a little in mock pity as I look himnoveldrama

over, taking in each and every one of his bruises. “Did you have…a rough couple days?”

The snarl that rips from Wright’s mouth is vicious and deadly, but one of his guards just cuffs him over the back of the head and he stumbles forward, moving along.

“Have a nice winter break!” I call over my shoulder as my enemy walks away, a little gleeful at my victory over this terrible man. Luca, pleased, laughs and puts an arm around my shoulders giving me a squeeze.

“He’s going to have an absolute shit winter break,” Rafe murmurs, slipping his hands into his pockets and watching Wright go as Jesse and Ben climb up the little set of gilt stairs and into our train car. “He’s being incarcerated over the holidays, so he’ll be in a cell while we’re all celebrating. But his trial will be held after the holidays pass, but before we return to school.”

“So, even though he was accused – and he totally tried to murder me - he was allowed to take the candidate finals?” I ask, looking up at my brother, curious.

Rafe slowly nods, meeting my eyes. “It’s all still allegations at this point, Ari. If he is declared innocent, he’ll return to school. They had to let him take the tests to see if he’d pass.”