Breeding in the Academy: Searching for Freedom (All 14)

Chapter 17

Moonlight washed over us as we drove through the dark forest. It had been about ten minutes since we left the safe house, and we still haven't come across Raven and Corey. Worry gnawed inside me. Why haven't they joined us? Where were they? I knew that I couldn't communicate with them since we all dumped our earpieces, and we couldn't wait because we had to get to the Prime and get them to a safer area.

A flash of light to my left caught my attention. I glanced in that direction, and a sigh of relief escaped me. A familiar motorbike with two people on it was headed in our direction. When they joined beside me, I glanced over. In the limited sight I had, I was able to see Corey behind Raven. Blood drenched his shoulder, and his face was scrunched in pain. Almost as if he knew I was looking at him, his eyes fluttered open, and pain-filled blue eyes met mine. I gritted my teeth. When I met them, I never wanted him or the others to have that expression again, but here he was with these eyes. He gave me a soft smile and nodded to reassure me before his eyes fluttered closed again.

Time passed, and clouds had blocked the moon. No Academy forces were seen, but we knew that they would be. After riding for forty minutes, we came across a familiar object. Slowing down, we came to a stop. I looked around, making sure that the others were okay. Axel and Brandon were gathering their equipment while Corey leaned against Raven for support. A closer look at Corey made me concerned. He was too pale.

"We need to hide the bikes," Axel spoke in the quietness. He, Brandon, and Raven dragged our bikes into the brush. I felt bad leaving our bikes like this but they were almost out of gas.

I walked towards Corey who was propped up against a fallen tree trunk. Labored breathing made his chest rise and fall erratically. Sweat ran down his skin. I reached out with the edge of my sleeve and softly wiped his brow. His blue eyes opened and looked at me. "Hey."

I forced a smile to my face. "Hey. You'll be okay."

He chuckled. "I'll trust you."

"you better."

He coughed, and Raven appeared, dropping down beside us. His brown eyes roamed Corey, looking for any other injury. "Hey, Solnechnyy svet. You want drink?"

Corey looked at the Russian. "I'm fine."

Raven frowned. Ever since I have met them, Corey was the sensitive type who'd rather suffer than let others take the burden. He would pacify others in spite of his own feelings, and with Kayli's betrayal, he would feel sad and guilty despite her actions were not his fault.

Brandon spoke behind us. "We ready to move?"

Corey nodded, but he was too weak to walk so Brandon was carrying him on his back. The look of despair and concern made my heart hurt. We picked up our bags and started towards Destination Cinderella. I glanced at my watch. There was still a few minutes until midnight which was when Marc and the Prime were to leave without us.

Letting Axel take the lead, I stayed with Raven. "How injured is he?"

Raven frowned. "Bad. The bullet tore through his shoulder. I was able to get the bullet out but..." His voice trailed off. His hands tightened around Corey's arms. "I can't loose him, Luna. I haven't told him I lo-"

I turned to face him, glaring at him. "Don't think like that. Corey is a fighter. If you regret not telling him something, then tell him when he wakes."

Raven suddenly looked like a lost puppy. "What will I do if he rejects me?"

I looked at Corey's back. I already knew that he knew of Raven's feelings way before now, but Kayli had suppressed his courage to deepen their relationship. "You'll just have to take that risk."