NB: Chapter Unedited
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CHAPTER 81
~Valerie's POV~
I woke to the shrill buzzing of my phone rattling against the nightstand.
Groaning, I reached out blindly, swiping at it until my fingers curled around the device. I blinked blearily at the screen, my heart sinking the moment I saw Storm's name flashing across it.
One new message.
I swiped it open with a thumb, hoping for some kind of stupid joke or confession that he'd been the one behind the locker stunt.
Instead, Storm's reply was short. Blunt.
Storm: Not me, Val. I'm in the Eastern Woods training with Dad. What's going on? You okay?
My stomach twisted, a knot of dread pulling tighter with every word.
It wasn't him.
Which meant someone else knew.
I sat up, running a shaky hand through my hair, trying to untangle the mess of fear and panic clawing at my chest. The sheets slid off my shoulders as I stood and began pacing the room.
The note hadn't been a prank.