Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 53: Watchers Of The Night

The clock read 11:47 PM when Violet rose upright from her bed in a manner so unsettling, it could have been mistaken for a ghost rising from its grave. Her room was quiet aside from the soft breathing of her roommates. Thank God, they were asleep already.

Violet had been close to drifting off herself, after all, it had been a stressful day. But her resolution to escape Lunaris Academy today was stronger than any temptation sleep could offer, no matter how inviting it was.

The West House was eerily quiet at this hour, which meant she had to be extremely careful as every tiny sound would be amplified. Tiptoeing like a thief at night, Violet carefully climbed down from her bed, crouching to retrieve the satchel she had tucked away under it earlier.

After the scenting incident, Violet had been so furious and embarrassed, she knew there was no way in hell she was staying at this academy. She had taken the time to prepare carefully. By the time her roommates returned, her plans were already in motion, and now she only waited for the perfect moment, which had finally arrived.

Opening the zipper carefully, Violet pulled out the clothes she had set aside. She quickly dressed in her all-black outfit, the purpose being to remain unseen tonight. She tightened the straps of her boots, adjusted her dark jacket, and tucked her hair into the hood.

It was time.

Violet slid her backpack over her shoulders. She had taken all the remaining money Nancy gave her, some clothes, a water bottle, and snacks. To be honest, Violet had no concrete plan yet, but she would figure it out once she got past the academy walls.

Leaving through the front entrance of the dormitory was out of the question. The house prefect always patrolled the foyer. Although Mary said he would turn a blind eye to where students went, Violet knew better. He was under Asher’s jurisdiction, and she had no doubt he would report her. She’d be caught before even reaching the doorknob. After all, what plausible reason could she have for being outside at this time of night?

Violet was smart and had obtained information on the house prefect’s patrol pattern. Every half-hour, like clockwork, he passed through the main hallways and checked the side doors. That gave her about ten minutes between his rounds to escape, and she had to make every second

faint creak of the door hinge made her heart leap into her throat. She froze, glancing back at her sleeping roommates.

earlier and found it unlatched. It led to a narrow

there she would head directly into the ’silver glade,’ the academy’s infamous, eerie woods. Violet couldn’t leave through the school’s main gate;

weak spot and escape. Truthfully,

breathing as she walked through the corridors alone. As she neared

Her heart pounded as she crouched low, peeking around

footsteps faded into the distance. Only then did she run into the storage room, with quick but careful movements. The room smelled of dust and neglect, cluttered with old furniture and forgotten items. She didn’t spare a glance at

gently, the cool night air brushing against her face, carrying the earthy scent of the gardens

not to make a sound. Her boot landed softly on the grass below,

were shrouded in darkness, with only

her was vast and silent, and every nerve in her body was tight with fear and

This was it.