Chapter 27
The top–ranking teams were announced at dawn, and unsurprisingly, Eliana’s squad came in first.
Standing on the platform, the four team members held their salutes while the head instructor addressed the assembled squads.
With a proud announcement, he recognized Eliana’s squad as the champions and noted that they had even broken Cameron’s three–year record, setting a new inilestone at Isonsten University.
Eliana kept a neutral expression, but Selene and Livia, grinned with excitement, their previous apathy long forgotten.
As the squads disbanded, everyone returned to their tents for one final night.
Tomorrow, after an afternoon assembly, they would be free at last.
While packing her bag, someone bumped into Eliana’s backpack jostling it to the ground. She scowled, pushing him away as she grabbed her bag and walked off.
From behind, she heard him mutter. “What’s her problem
Eliana chot him a fierce glare. He immediately fell silent, not daring to unter another word
Stella quickly fell into step beside her, snapping, “No, what’s your problem? You and your whole family!
“Wait up, Eliana!” Stella called.
Back in the tent, Eliana unzipped her backpack, only to discover a small wolf cub curled up fast asleep inside.
It had polished off the last of the lunch meat she’d left in there.
“You actually brought it back?” Stella asked, wide–eyed.
Eliana shrugged. “I tried to leave it, but it kept following me.”
“Maybe it was abandoned by its mother? Stella mused. “This little guy seems to have imprinted on you. Life with you would be easier than scavenging in the wild.
But… are you really going to keep it? It’s a wild wolf, Eliana. Even if it’s small now, it could get dangerous as it grows.”
Eliana paused, then shook her head. “I’m not planning on adopting it. I’ll release it somewhere when we get back.
Closing her bag, she lay down, shutting her eyes, and willed herself to sleep.
When Willow found out that Eliana’s squad not only avoided being a burden but actually set a new record, she stormed over to Selene and Livia.
“What happened? Weren’t you supposed to slow her down? How on earth did you still come in first?” she accused.
Selene and Livia exchanged innocent glances before Livia replied, “Willow, sure, we agreed to help, but it’s not like we had control over everything. Eliana knew a shortcut, and she even took our badges and threatened to leave us behind if we didn’t keep up
gaze hardened, her irritation bubbling to the surface. You couldn’t have ignored her? If you didn’t keep up, her
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Chapter 27
rank wouldn’t have counted
Livia stared at her in disbelief “You’re asking us to risk our lives for this? For the small favors you gave us? No way! We’re not putting ourselves in danger just to help you out
Yeah Selene added, frowning. I didn’t expect you to go that far, Willow. This is way too much.”
Realizing her anger had gotten the better of her. Willow quickly backpedaled. “No, that’s not what I meant
But Selene and Livia were already walking away.
With training over and the rewards for first place secured, there was no longer any reason to appease Willow.
The next morning, word of Eliana’s victory spread quickly.
Cameron and his friends, who had held the previous record, joked about it in their group chat.
Landon Wow! Eliana broke our record! Nicely done!
Adam: [And here we were, worried she wouldn’t make it. Turns out she’s been holding out on us!]
Thomas: [Awesome, Eliana! You’ll have to treat us to dinner!]
Landon: But seriously, if Tommy hadn’t slowed us down back then, our record would’ve been 20 minutes faster!]
Thomas [Excuse me? Are you blaming me? You want to settle this?]
Adam: [Oh, and remember who nearly wet their pants when they saw a wolf pack?]
Thomas: [I’m out. This group doesn’t appreciate me!]
Eliana saw the messages and called them on the ride back to Isonstead University.
The whole group picked up immediately–Cameron, surprisingly, was the first to answer the call.
“Did you guys really run into wolves too? Eliana asked.
“Did you?” Cameron replied, sounding surprised.
Thomas quickly chimed in, “Eliana, are you okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
“No way, Landon interjected, “if she had, we’d have heard about it by now.”
Adam laughed. “You must be really lucky or really unlucky, Eliana. They usually make sure wolves are nowhere near the area during training
As Eliana listened, her laag wriggled slightly, and she glanced down to see a pair of shiny eyes peeking out through the
Let’s talk more when I get to campus,” she said.
They sensed something unusual and agreed.
After the bus arrived at Isonstead University, Livia and Selene rushed off eagerly to claim their rewards.
Eliana encouraged Stella to go with them, while she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed in the opposite direction.
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Chapter 27
She found Cameron and the others waiting in a quiet spot under the trees.
Thomas rushed over as she approached. ‘Eliana, let me have a look–are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine,” she reassured him. “But I do want to show you something
Setting her bag on the ground, she unzipped it, and the others leaned in curiously.
A second later—
Thomas’s eyes went wide. “No way!” he exclaimed, his tone a mix of shock and awe.
Landon’s jaw dropped as he pointed to the small creature. “Did you.. bring a wolf cub back with you?” he asked, incredulous.
Adam burst out laughing, clapping his hands. “You are amazing!
Eliana sighed. “It’s not like I planned it. It just kept following me
Cameron picked up the squirming cub, which immediately started growling, and tried to nip at his hand.
Cameron’s large hand clamped down over the wolf cub’s muzzle, leaving the little creature powerless to struggle. Its tail was tucked between its legs, and it gave Eliana a pitiful, pleading look
Adam chuckled. “Seems like it thinks you’re its mom. Eliana.”
Eliana blinked
Thomas scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t be surprised if this little guy’s dad was one of the wolves that gave us trouble back then.
Realization dawned on Eliana–Cameron and his friends had taken the same shortcut in their own training years ago.
They’d run into an entire wolf pack, costing them a good twenty minutes.
Fortunately for Eliana, she had only encountered one cub.
Cameron threw the cub back to her. “So, what’s your plan?”
Eliana groaned. I tried leaving it behind, but it kept sniffing me out. Maybe I’ll find a safe place in the wild and release it
there”
Landon shook his head. “It’s so young. Eliana. It wouldn’t survive
“Exactly.” Thomas agreed. “It’s probably still nursing.
Eliana sighed. “Should I try taking it back to its mother?”
Cameron shook his head. “Now that it’s been around humans, the pack would likely reject it.”
Adam grinned. It likes you. You might as well keep it, Eliana. Seems like God brought you two together.
Eliana stared at him. “You want me to keep it?”
