Rustling in the Woods
“Professor Ryan, is this meant for me or a child?” Norman muttered from where he sat, staring down at his bowl of sliced apples, a small portion of grilled chicken, and a modest serving of rice.
A ripple of complaints immediately followed.
“Come on, Prof, this is barely enough for a snack,” someone else called out.
“Yeah, I’m still starving over here!”
Ryan sighed loudly, rubbing his temple. “This is dinner. Not a feast. You’re here to learn survival and discipline, not to stuff your faces. Eat what’s given or go hungry. Simple as that.”
Norman leaned back dramatically. “At least give me your own share, man. I’m not full. This is cruel and unusual punishment.”
A few students laughed. Ryan just pointed a stern finger at him.
“Eat, Brooks. Or I’ll make sure your breakfast tomorrow is even smaller.”
The complaints died down into grumbling as everyone dug in. The meal was basic but filling enough after the long day, grilled chicken, rice, apples, and some bread rolls passed around. It wasn’t gourmet, but in the middle of the woods, it tasted decent.
Soon Scarlett finished her portion and set the empty bowl aside. She and Lily sat together on one of the logs near the central fire pit, watching the flames dance while other students talked quietly among themselves or started heading back to their tents.
Lily leaned against her shoulder. “We should’ve eaten before brushing our teeth. Now everything tastes like mint and regret.”
They both laughed softly.
“True,” Scarlett agreed. “But at least we feel a bit cleaner.”
They decided to go brush their teeth again quickly.
They walked over to the water drum area, dipped the cups in, and scrubbed their teeth in silence, the cool water waking them up a little more. Scarlett splashed some on her face too, trying to wash away the lingering tiredness of the day.
Only after they finished and were wiping their mouths did they hear it.
A faint rustling came from deep in the woods, leaves shifting, branches snapping, something moving slowly but deliberately through the undergrowth.
They both stiffened at the same time.
Scarlett whispered, “Do you hear that?”
Lily’s eyes widened, her hand instinctively grabbing Scarlett’s arm.
“Hell no,” she breathed. “Let’s go.”
She didn’t wait for a reply. She dragged Scarlett away from the water drum, both of them hurrying back toward their tent with quick, nervous steps, hearts beating faster than they wanted to admit.
Once inside, they zipped the flap and sat down, looking around the space. The tent was long enough for them to stretch their legs comfortably even while lying down.
Scarlett frowned slightly. “Saint’s going to be so uncomfortable. He’s not just broad… he’s tall too.”
Lily smirked, nudging her. “Aww, look at you worrying about your giant puppy.”
Scarlett’s cheeks warmed. “Shut up.”
They quickly changed into pajamas, Scarlett in soft drawers and a simple singlet, Lily in an oversized t-shirt. Then they lay down side by side.
Lily stared at the ceiling. “Damn… there is no single cell reception here. My phone is completely dead.”
Scarlett hummed in agreement. “Same. It’s like the woods swallow the signal.”
They lay in comfortable silence for a moment before Scarlett turned her head to look at Lily.
“Lily?”
“Hm?”
Scarlett hesitated, then spoke quietly. “Have you ever thought about… exposing the school? About what happens during the Purge?”
Lily turned to face her, eyes curious. “What do you mean?”
Scarlett shifted onto her side. “Well… I know the school allows breaks after each semester. Have you or anyone ever thought of running to the authorities? Or at least going back to your pack with proof?”
Lily was quiet for a long moment. She stared up at the tent ceiling, expression turning somber.
“Yeah… you’re not the first to think or try that.”
She exhaled slowly.
“But what you need to know is that there’s no proof you can take when leaving here. The school checks everyone thoroughly before they go on break, bags, phones, even body scans for hidden devices or recordings. They wipe anything suspicious.”
Lily continued, voice low. “And if you decide to just tell the cops anyway… they won’t believe you. It’s your word against a powerful academy like this. You need to understand Silvercrest isn’t just a school building with a board of directors.
It has connections that reach the highest levels of the empire. Powerful packs, old money, politicians… they all benefit from what happens here. The strong graduates they produce? They’re assets. The Purge keeps the bloodlines ruthless. No one on the outside wants to touch this.”
Scarlett felt her stomach sink.
“So… there’s no way out?”
Lily smiled sadly. “Not unless we graduate. And to do that… we survive.”
She yawned, turning onto her side. “Good night, Scar.”
Scarlett watched her for a moment, then looked away, staring up at the tent flap.
“I will survive,” she whispered under her breath.
She didn’t know when sleep finally took her.
Later, she felt warmth wrapping around her, strong arms pulling her gently against a broad, solid chest. She opened her eyes sleepily and her heart nearly stopped when she saw who it was.
Saint.
He had slipped into the tent at some point and was now curled behind her, one arm draped carefully over her waist, holding her close but not trapping her.
She was surprised… but she smiled softly.
She closed her eyes again and let herself drift back to sleep, feeling strangely safe in his hold.
As she slipped deeper into slumber, Saint’s eyes opened.
He looked down at her peaceful face and smiled.
Then Kane’s voice spoke in his head through their bond, low and impatient.
“Is she asleep?”
Saint answered silently. “Yes.”
Kane’s reply came immediately, dripping with possessive hunger.
“Leave. I want to come hold her.”
Saint’s arm tightened just a fraction around Scarlett.
“No.”
The bond went quiet for a beat.
Then Kane’s amused chuckle echoed in his mind.
“Fucker.”
Saint smiled to himself and closed his eyes again, content to keep watch over their mate for the rest of the night.