The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 32

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 32: Retreat Isn’t Surrender**

**Thora’s POV:**

As I sat behind the wheel, Amie remained in her slumber, leaving me feeling as if I were a wolf yet to awaken. Yet, I found solace in my abilities, which more than compensated for the absence of my wolf spirit. The training I had honed during the apocalypse had equipped me with the skills to handle myself, even in the face of danger. I was confident I could take down those five street thugs without breaking a sweat.

“The Greens are a military werewolf pack,” I reminded myself, focusing on the road ahead. “Even without your wolf spirit awakened, you should have a solid grasp of combat basics.”

I continued to follow the navigation on my phone, the familiar streets of our town whizzing by. “And if you want to call me something, just stick with Thora,” I added, glancing at Felix, who was seated beside me.

“Thora,” he repeated, his voice monotone, yet I sensed a hint of amusement beneath the surface.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him pressing his lips together, struggling to suppress a smile that threatened to escape. I couldn’t help but smirk in response. What a proud little brat he was!

After a brief silence, he broke the tension again. “Aren’t you curious about why I got into a fight with them?”

“Why?” I asked, playing along, intrigued by the sudden shift in his demeanor.

There was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes, as if he were savoring the moment.

With a dramatic pause, he finally spoke. “Not long ago, some guy from outside our school was picking on a girl from our class. I saw it happen and couldn’t just stand by, so I intervened and scared that punk off. But wouldn’t you know it? Today, as I was heading to class, that same jerk and his crew decided to corner me.”

I nodded, making a sound of agreement. “Why didn’t you just tell them who you are?”

If those thugs had known he was from the Greens of Silverleaf Pack, they would have thought twice before crossing him.

His response came with unexpected fervor. “I’m not about to use my family name to intimidate people! What kind of skill is that? I want to make them back down on my own merit—that’s what real skill is!”

I turned my head slightly to study Felix, his handsome features etched with a mix of pride and disdain.

I chuckled softly, appreciating his fiery spirit. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.”

Having backbone could be a double-edged sword, though; it brought strength but also left one vulnerable.

To me, as long as I achieved my objectives, the little things didn’t matter much.

“Next time you find yourself in a situation like this, if the odds are against you, just run,” I advised, my voice steady.

Felix frowned, his expression one of disbelief. “Run? What kind of man does that…”

I raised an eyebrow, curious about his sudden interest.

“If you’re free, you could come in with me,” he suggested, then quickly added, “Not that I’m inviting you! I just thought you might want to check the place out since you drove me here.”

“Let’s go,” I interrupted his flustered explanation with a soft laugh, unbuckling my own seatbelt and stepping out of the car beside him.

As we entered the shooting club, the muffled sounds of gunfire reverberated through the soundproof walls, sending a thrill through my fingertips. The familiar noise ignited a sense of excitement within me, a visceral connection that reminded me of the battlefield.

Guns were not merely tools for survival; they were companions forged through years of camaraderie, inseparable allies in the fight for life.

I was eager to see the caliber of instructors here, to witness firsthand the prowess of these so-called Astralis Empire officers and snipers.

Felix led the way, and I followed closely behind him, my heart racing with anticipation.

As we approached the entrance, Felix produced a keycard and swiped it with a flourish. The door swung open automatically, welcoming us into the heart of the club.

But the moment I stepped inside, an unsettling sensation washed over me. I felt as if a thousand eyes were watching, scrutinizing our every move.

Frowning, I scanned the ceiling for security cameras. While I couldn’t pinpoint who was monitoring us, one thing was clear: someone was definitely keeping tabs on our presence…