Chapter 1556:
âDo you think this is part of Ms. Sandersonâs final test? Sheâs already used vipers before⦠Luring wolves could be just as easy, right?â Another voice chimed in, slightly more suspicious, âIsnât it strange that the squad leaders are gone too?â
The group, hearing these remarks, exhaled in relief. If this was all part of Harleeâs plan, then perhaps they didnât have to fear risking their lives after all.
Lionelâs sharp gaze turned toward the two recent speakers, his tone icy.
âFrom the moment we arrived, the squad leaders made it clear that the wolves were the biggest threat out here. They didnât know when the wolves would strike! So, if youâre still holding on to that kind of hope, I suggest you crawl further into the desert to hideâunless youâd prefer to die stupidly.â
The two men flushed with embarrassment under Lionelâs pointed rebuke but couldnât find the words to counter. They could only glare in frustration.
Rita, ever the stern voice of reason, took over.
âIf you donât agree with Lionelâs words, I suggest you form your own group!â she snapped, her tone firm.
âEveryone, prepare for battle!â
Just as she finished, a massive black wolf, its body nearly twice the size of a regular gray wolf, surged to the front. It lifted its head high and let out a mighty roar, a sound quickly joined by a chorus of howls from the pack behind it.
The noise was deafening, shaking the very air around them.
Lionel exchanged a knowing look with Rita. His voice was calm, but there was a certain steel to it.
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âThatâs the alpha wolf. We need to take it down first, no matter what.â
âI was thinking the same thing.â
Rita paused, her eyes scanning the terrain, and then added, âWolves are faster and more resilient than we are. We have to act quickly, or weâll miss our chance.â
Lionel nodded, his expression serious.
âAlright, once we signal the sniper, weâll charge inâfront and back. We move together, no hesitation.â
Lionel gave a hand signal to Rosie, who was poised and ready, and then turned to Mooney and Josh, who would lead small groups to cover them.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Rhys smirked, his eyes glinting with approval. He held Harleeâs waist, his voice low and amused.
âNot bad. Theyâre not as clueless as I thought.â
Harlee gave a nod, agreeing with his assessment. She surveyed the soldiers, her gaze calculating.
âDo we need to keep those twelve?â she asked, her voice neutral but sharp.
Rhys didnât answer immediately, instead observing the soldiersâ fighting skills and their precision with weapons.
âNo,â he finally said, his tone thoughtful.
âIf they want to compete in Breezeland, they need at least six more months of training.â
Harlee smirked, her pride evident.
âAgreed. Those twelve are the first to be eliminated.â
Rhys chuckled, a warm smile tugging at his lips as he reached up to brush the sand off her cheek.
âLee, fishing for compliments again, are you?â
She grinned, raising an eyebrow.
âDonât I deserve them?â
With a playful nudge of her elbow to his stomach, Harlee kept her stance firm, her playful tone contrasting the serious situation. Since they met, Rhysâ hand never left her waist.
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