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.

forward, ripping the badges

1/4

shoulders

and Sonya sprang to their feet, glaring at Violeta, demanding. "Hey! What's you

with GPS. If we aver get lost, the instructors can zero in on us. Without GPS, in the vastness of Mount Wilson, you might as well be ghosts,

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 if you're hanging around." "Kaylee, let's get moving Violeta

Sonya stood paralyzed, surrounded by darkness. After Violeta's ominous words, sinister thoughts crept in, sending shivers

dare

Sonya hustled to

two who claimed exhaustion

works! But how did

"Just a hunch"

collected the badges one by one. Violeta quessed the GPS must be in

with their lives, obediently

mountain

rarely spoke along

to stall their progress, but

the badges

as Violeta walked,

mountains shrouded everything in impenetrable darkness. Falling behind meant they'd vanish

So, the four

hour.

trembling. "Are you sure about this direction? It feels like we've been walking forever, and nothing's changed

steadfast, remained by Violeta's side. "If you're done, feel free

Too Shas got

shoulder badges hostage.

saving "rest to you think we

was on how wild

mid

stowed the bottle, and flung their shoulder

are

badges saling