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HUNTER POV The morning sun was rising over the mountains. The light was bright and warm, but a strange, sweet smell still hung in the air. It was a very thick scent, like flowers mixed with magic. I walked fast through the trees, keeping my steps quiet. Right next to me was a woman. I knew her name was Crest, but my mind felt heavy, like it was full of thick gray clouds. We were standing right at the edge of the Lily River Camp perimeter. This was the boundary line. Inside the line were the camp barracks, the training grounds, and the guards. "Keep low," I whispered to her. I pointed toward a pair of guards walking near the main concrete fence. They held long spears and wore thick armor. They were looking around the woods for any late aspirants. If they caught us out here after dawn, we would both be in big trouble. Crest did not answer me. She just stood there, staring at the camp. Her eyes looked blank, like she was asleep with her eyes wide open. "Crest?" I whispered

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CREST POV The wooden door of my cabin felt cold against my palm. I pressed my back against the wall, holding my breath as a patrol of camp guards marched past the window. Their heavy boots crunched loudly on the gravel path outside. My heart was pounding so hard against my ribs that I was sure they would hear it. I waited in the shadows, my muscles tense, until the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance. Once the coast was clear, I turned the handle slowly, slipped inside, and shut the door behind me with a soft click. "Oh my Goddess, Crest! You're finally here!" A frantic voice whispered from the dark corners of the room. It was Estella. She rushed toward me, her eyes wide with terror and her face pale. She was pacing back and forth so much that her hair was completely messy. She grabbed my shoulders, her hands shaking violently. "I was so scared, Crest!" Estella whispered loudly, checking me from head to toe. "I stayed up all night waiting for you. The morning bell i

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CREST POV My uncle’s sharp eyes stayed locked on my face for what felt like an eternity. I kept my chin up, forcing my expression to remain as blank and cold as stone. I could not let him see the absolute terror shaking my insides. Just as I opened my mouth to invent a lie, the head councilman stepped up to the wooden platform and banged a heavy brass gong. The loud sound echoed across the entire courtyard, saving me from my uncle's interrogation. My uncle frowned, giving me one last warning look before turning around. He marched back to his high seat on the platform, his heavy black cloak billowing behind him. I let out a long, shaky breath that I didn't realize I was holding. Beside me, Estella finally stopped shaking. "Welcome, aspirants!" the head councilman shouted, his voice booming over the silent crowd. "Today is the final day of the Lily River Camp trials. Before we send you into the dangerous woods for the Great Challenge, we will introduce each contestant to the pack l

All Chapters of He's Whipped: Chapter 101 - Chapter 103

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