Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 25

Chapter 25 Wolves on the Prowl

"Ugh, I need a break. I can't go on anymore!"

"Totally. Training all day is killing me. I don't care about prize money or a dorm. Let's just quit."

Overhearing, Kaylee snapped, "How can you be so selfish? We're a team. Your lousy performance affects us all!"

The two shrugged carelessly. Jezebel quipped, "Who cares? If we drag you down, tough luck!"

Sonya chimed in, "Exactly. You chose to be in our group. The instructor put us together, not our call."

In reality, the pair planned to sabotage Violeta deliberately.

Before the assessment, Zelena approached, pretending to be concerned for Violeta, saying, "My family wants my sister back. Do your best to ruin Violeta's chances. Only then will she be willing to leave and return to the Blake family."

Jezebel and Sonya fell for Zelena's manipulation.

Of course, Zelena promised them a handsome incentive.

Zelena had dangled fifty thousand in front of Jezebel and Sonya to ensure their cooperation in sabotaging Violeta.

Why would they refuse to get fifty thousand without the struggle of earning a high ranking and currying favor with Zelena?

Jezebel and Sonya eagerly agreed. So, as the group entered the mountains, they began. intentionally slacking off, slowing down the team.

Violeta knew the mountain route well. Securing a top-five position was possible without slackers-maybe not a guaranteed first, but certainly respectable..

However, with Jezebel and Sonya in their current state, ending up in the bottom ten seemed inevitable.

Violeta suspected Zelena had poisoned their minds behind her back.

Kaylee asked them, "What more do you want to start moving again? Isn't the fifty thousand prize tempting enough?" Certainly not! Why go through the hard work for the money when they could slack off and still receive the same amount? Jezebel and Sonya just rolled their eyes at Kaylee, not bothering to respond. Persuasion didn't work for them.

determined. Violeta moved forward, ripping the badges from Jezebel and

1/4

shoulders

glaring at Violeta, demanding. "Hey! What's

instructors can zero in on us. Without GPS, in the vastness of Mount Wilson, you might

back mountains might be clear of wild beasts, but who's to say they won't return, catching a scent of you and chasing you down? Sit tight and prepare for the worst

Violeta's ominous words, sinister thoughts crept in, sending shivers down their

dare

hustled to

two who claimed

to Violeta. "Your method works! But how did you know the GPS was in

"Just a hunch"

collected the badges one by one. Violeta quessed the GPS

to gamble with their lives, obediently followed to

mountain

save energy, Violeta rarely spoke along the

attempted to stall

the badges

Violeta walked, they had

the deep mountains shrouded everything in impenetrable

to wait around for them. So, the four trudged on

hour.

feels like we've been walking forever, and nothing's changed around us! You're

but steadfast, remained by Violeta's side.

Too Shas got

our shoulder badges hostage.

wgrantly saving "rest to you think we wanted to follow te te

was on how wild

mid catht We could

bottle, and

are

ganen for badges saling a wave of