Chapter 703

However, my intentions are thwarted when Rafe goes rigid and looks towards the head of the room.

All of our heads turn then, the hall going even more quiet. Beneath the table, Jackson slips a hand onto my thigh, anxious and wanting my touch as much as he wants to give me comfort.

"Cadets," the Captain says, coming to the front of the room. "Please give me your attention."

We all just sit perfectly still, silence reigning in the room, paying rapt attention to the man at the front.

"It gives me no pleasure to inform you," he continues, standing straight and putting his hands behind his back, "that you are being called up to active duty."

Several gasps sound throughout the room but everyone at my table just stills.

"The Generals at the front are making a decisive strike and calling for all hands, including you. Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the day, though each of you will visit your professors in your classrooms in order to receive any special instructions or supplies. Those on command track," the Captain's eyes flick around the room to three or four places, landing on our table last, “should come and consult with me for further information." My heart starts to pound as I realize that it's...it's finally happened. That school has for so long been an exercise - but now we're actually doing it. My friends, my family, my mates, me - we're going to war.noveldrama

"Board the train at 06:00 tomorrow morning," the Captain says, his voice steady and stern. "Before that, get your rest while you can."

With that, he turns on his heel and leaves the room through his private door.

Silence rings for a moment before whispered conversation breaks out all over the room. My entire table leans closer together and we all stare around at each other with wide eyes.

"Rafe?" Ben asks, staring at my brother, his face pale. "Did you know about this?"

“No,” Rafe answers, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. "I didn't. But if dad and Roger are calling us up...then things have gotten very...very dire."

A core of fear begins to settle low in my stomach at my brother's words, because I know that they're correct.

"Don't worry," Jackson murmurs, perhaps just to me, though the rest of the table is listening. "We'll get some answers. By tonight, we'll know more."

We split quickly after breakfast,

none of us very hungry or needing much caffeine after the Captain's announcement. There is a great deal of fuss by the doors about who would escort me where and when and how so that I can visit my professors while everyone else needs to be elsewhere.

After about five minutes of bickering Alphas, I roll my eyes and step into the middle of the group with a paper napkin in my hands that I immediately set ablaze.

My boys all go silent and turn to stare at me.

"If anyone messes with me," I say quietly, looking them each in the eyes as I dust the ashes off my hands and to the floor. "I'll just set them on fire. Okay? No more need to escort the Shrimp around school."

Jackson just smirks at me, dead proud, while Rafe frowns and takes a step forward. “Ari –“

"Please, Rafe? say with a sigh,

tilting my chin up to look in his face. "We're going to war, and everyone's busy, and I can do this. Just...let me walk to class by myself. No one has come for me for months - why would they start now?"

Rafe sighs and rubs a hand down his face before he glares at me, more worried than mad. "On fire, Ari," he snaps. "You set anyone who even gives you a dirty look on fire. No questions asked. Okay?"

I grin and nod to him before we all break up, Jackson's wolf giving mine an affectionate nip and Luca comes close to brush his arm against mine before they, too, go in their own direction.

I sigh and move swiftly down the hall, heading directly for Neumann's classroom, wishing Faiza were here so that I could get her advice and whatever tools she thinks might be

al for me at the front. And, if I'm honest, to say goodbye to her.

S

Because tomorrow...

But no. I gulp hard, putting the thought out of my mind, shaking my head against it. Because that's not going to happen - I don't need to say goodbye to anyone, not today, not tomorrow. We're all going to survive this - all of us.

We have to.