The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 34

Escape-1

+25 Points

The noise of the ceremony pressed in from all sides-applause, murmurs, the scrape of chairs against the floor-but Iva felt strangely detached from it all, as if she were already standing on the other side of something final.

She leaned closer to Lori and whispered, her voice low but steady,

“I need to go to the restroom.”

Lori turned to her at once, brows knitting together. “Now? Are you sure? Not everyone received yet the diplomas, plus that the Alpha is about to give the final speech.”

Iva pressed a hand against her stomach, forcing a faint grimace onto her face. “I think I ate something bad. I have really bad cramps. I don’t think I can stand here much longer.”

Concern flickered across Lori’s features. “I can come with you-”

“No.” Iva caught her wrist gently but firmly. She shook her head, lowering her voice even more. “Don’t be silly. You know how sensitive and proud the Alpha is. I’m already the pariah of the pack-if I disrupt things further, it’ll be noticed. You’re different, Lori. Please. Stay.”

Lori hesitated, torn, then finally nodded. “Okay… but don’t take too long.”

Iva offered a small, tight smile. “I won’t.”

That was the last lie she would ever tell here.

She slipped away from the crowd, keeping her head down, moving at a pace that wouldn’t draw attention. Her heart pounded so loudly in her ears she was sure someone would hear it. Each step felt like walking on a blade-one wrong move, one familiar voice calling her name, and everything would collapse.

She reached the restroom of the school and locked herself inside a stall, hands shaking as the adrenaline finally surged.

“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “Okay. Don’t panic, don’t panic. Keep it together.”

She quickly removed the items strapped beneath her graduation tobe-small, carefully, chosen things she couldn’t afford to lose-and stuffed them into her backpack. Every rustle of fabric sounded too loud. Every second felt stolen.

She straightened and faced the mirror.

The girl staring back at her looked older than she remembered. Her eyes were brighter, sharper, filled with fear-but also with something unbreakable. Resolve.

“This is it,” she murmured.

For the last time, she smoothed her hair, removed her robe, and memorized her reflection. Then she turned away and slipped out, timing her exit with a swell of applause as the Alpha’s voice carried through the hall.

No one noticed her leave.

12

< Escape-1

Avalon’s presence wrapped around her mind the moment she crossed the threshold.

I’ve masked our scent. Calm your breathing. You’re doing well.

+25 Points

Iva didn’t slow until she reached the edge of the grounds. The lights, the voices faded behind her as the trees loomed ahead-dark, waiting, alive.

Her pulse roared as she stepped into the forest.

Once the cover of leaves and shadows swallowed her, she moved quickly, deeper, farther, until the sounds of civilization were gone entirely. There, with trembling fingers, she shrugged off her clothes ad stuffed them in the bag, tied the backpack against her body, and took a steadying breath.

The forest smelled like freedom.

“This will be your second shift,” Avalon said gently. “Give me control. Trust me.”

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