Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 27

Chapter 27 Does the Wolf Cub Think Violeta's It's Mom?

The rest of the top nine teams rolled in

Violeta's crew rightfully snagge first place, and by the time the sun peeked over, all the teams gathered

The chief instructor stood tall on the platform, announcing Violeta's squad as the champs, Not just that, they broke Hayden's team record from three years back, now owning the crown for T Military Training. The four lined up all military-like on the platform, soaking in the cheers,

Violeta kept a poker face while Jezebel and Sonya were all smiles, completely shrugging off

their not-so-stellar start

Soon, the teams split up

Everyone returned to the tents for a night's shut-eye, and they'd be off the hook after an afternoon meet-up.

While packing up, someone accidentally bumped into Violeta's backpack. She scowled. nudged the person away, and then sauntered off with her bag.

The person grumbled, "Gosh. What's your problem..."

Violeta shot a glare, and the person wisely shut up.

Kaylee caught up with the grumbler and fired back, "Hey, you! You're the one with problems. Your whole family's a mess!"

Then, she hollered at Violeta, "Hey, Violeta, wait up!"

In the tent, Violeta unzipped her backpack and found the little wolf cub all cozied inside, already knocked out

It had polished off all the canned tuna she had tossed in earlier.

"Oh wow, Violeta, you brought it back?!"

Violeta replied, "Tried to shoo it away, but it's like Velcro. Had no choice but to bring it along. Kaylee tossed in her thoughts, "Maybe its mom bailed on it? That's why it's sticking to you, thinking you're its owner. By tagging along with you, it won't have to worry about replaceing food. and water it might've starved out there in the wild

"Are you thinking about keeping it? It's a wild wolf, still a pup, but who knows if it'll keep its wild side as it grows up." Violeta kept silent momentarily, then said, 'Nah, I'll set it free in the wild when we return"

After that, Violeta zipped up her backpack, flopped onto the bed, closed her eyes, and

bassed out

When Zen found our thereb

anetched fet place in the training

ys didn't hold Viste back their team me

She stored up to Jezebet and Sonys demanding. What happened bus recent you

angered supposed to slow down Violet? How come your team still bagged fest place

Jezebel and Sonya put on innocent faces 'Come on, tea even though we promised to help you there were unexpected hitches along the way. How were we supposed to know Violets found some shortour She grabbed our shoulder badges and threatened to leave us in the mountains if we lagged"

Zelena narrowed her eyes, a bit of fierceness showing To her those with post excuses

"Why'd you obey her? If you guys made an effort to fall behind, the core wolde de Zelena's words sent shivers down Jezebel and Sonyss spines

Jezebel stood up, eyes wide, "What's wrong with you? Did you honestly want us thing of lives just for you? Zelena, you tossed us a tiny bone, not worth risking our lives by that pea-sized reward, okay!" Sonya chimed in "Seriously, you're going too for Didrit expect you to be this unreasozeate and nasty

At that moment, Zelena realized she had let her anger get the best of her and forgot to put on e front "That's not what I meant

"Tok, let's bounce Jezebel and Sonya brushed off Zelena and turned to leave

Now that military training was a wrap, they all scored big by snagging first place. Whed bother pleasing Zelena?

Violeta's team took the crown and smashed the record set by Hayder's crew

The news and announcements had made their way through the academy

The following day, Hayden and his squad caught wind of it

The group chat was buzzing with excitement-

Jasper, Yol Vio shattered our old record! Unreal!

Liam: We were kinda worried you'd buckle, but Vio, you've got some senous talent, man!

Zoren Vic, you're a legend! Dinner's on you when you get back

Jasper But, you know, if Zero wasrit slowing us down back then, our record could've been at least twenty minutes faster

Zoren What do you mean? Are you blaming me? Wanna fight, hub now?

Liam, Yeah, remember who almost peed les pants because of a wild wolf Hahaha.

Zoren Damn you guys I'm so done with you all, I'm out!

Seeing their banter in the group chat, Violeta started a group voice call in the car on their way back to Toland University

The phone rang, and all four of them answered within a second. Surprisingly, Hayden, who hadn't talked in the group chat, picked up first.

Violeta said, "Did you guys also run into a wild wolf in the mountains?"

Hayden "Yeah You too?"

Zoren: "Hey, Vio, you good? Are you injured?"

Jasper Just hearing her voice, I know she's fine. If something happened, we'd have gotten a heads-up

Liam "The wild wolves in the mountains should've been taken care of before the

assessment. The chances of running into them are pretty low. So, was it good luck or bad fuck that you ran into one?"

Violeta stayed quiet, but there was movement in the bag on her lap. A pair of shiny black eyes could be seen through the gap in the zipper.

Three seconds later, she spoke, "Let's discuss it when I get to school."

All four of them sensed that something wasn't quite right.

After the bus pulled up at Toland University, Jezebel and Sonya hustled to claim their rewards.

Violeta anked Kaylee to tag along with the girls for the reward pickup. At the same time, she headed in a different direction with her bag slung over her shoulder

When she reached the shaded path, Hayden and the other three were already waiting for Violets in the pavilion:

Spotting Violeta approaching, Zoren dashed over, "Vio, let me check if you're injured."

"I'm fine. Let me show you something first She dropped the backpack on the ground and unzipped it The four of them leaned in for a peek.

The next moment-

"Oh my god

"How did you manage to bring back a little wolf cub?"

So cooll

Violeta sighed, I didn't bring it back, it followed me. I couldn't do anything about it."

Haydon reached out and picked up the wolf cub, which squirmed and howled aggressively, even attempting to nip at Hayden

Hayden firmly held its mouth shut, and the wolf cub couldn't resist. It looked at Violeta with a pitiful expression, tail between its legs. Liam inquired, "Does it think Vio is its mother?"

Violeta was left speechless.

Zoren stroked his chin and suggested, "Maybe the wild wolf that scared the life out of me in the mountains a few years ago was its father."

Violeta put two and two together, realizing Hayden and the team had also taken a shortcut in the back of the mountain during their military training a few years back.

However, luck was less generous to them than to Violeta. They stumbled upon a pack of wolves, setting them back by twenty minutes.

The goddess of luck, however, spared Violeta from the wolf pack ordeal.

Hayden handed the wolf cub to Violeta, and she cradled it delicately.

"What's your plan for this little furball?"

Violeta shrugged, "I've tried to ditch it, but it's not taking the hint. Maybe we should release it into the wild?"

Jasper shook her head. "But isn't it too young to fend for itself?"

Zoren chimed in, "Yeah, probably not weaned yet, huh?"

Violeta pondered, "Should we return it to its mother?"

Hayden clarified, "It's already caught the scent of humans so that the wolf pack won't take it back"

Liam smiled, "Since it's latched onto you and you brought it back, why not keep it? There's a connection between you two, right?" Violeta exclaimed, "What? You want me to raise it?"