I make it back to my dorm and Lily is already asleep. I change for bed in the dark and try not to think about everything closing in.
Chase investigating. Council threatening. Caspian suspicious. Knox watching. Nico confused. Julian terrified.
Secrets piling up until I can barely keep track of which lies I've told to whom. A mate bond that could get us both executed. A public claim from Caspian that paints a target on my back. Knox's silent protection that I don't understand. Nico's desperate need for forgiveness that I can't give.
Everything in motion and dangerous, building toward something I can't see yet but can feel coming like a storm on the horizon.
I close my eyes and try to sleep but the bonds won't let me rest. Julian's emotions bleeding into mine. Caspian's watchfulness even from across campus. Knox out there somewhere in the dark. Nico's broken connection aching like a wound that won't heal.
Four males. Four different connections. All pulling at me from different directions while the Council circles closer and my secrets pile higher.
I pull the blanket over my head and wish for morning.
Chapter Twenty-Four
I'm still shaking when I wake up.
The morning light filters through the curtains and I stare at the ceiling trying to force my heartbeat back to normal. Yesterday's inquiry plays on repeat behind my eyelids. Chase's cold eyes. Owen's apologetic face. The small leather notebook recording every answer I gave.
Every lie.
Lily's bed is empty. She must have left for early breakfast, probably giving me space after watching me stumble back to the dorm last night looking like I'd been through a war. I had.
I drag myself out of bed and pull on clothes without thinking about what I'm choosing. Jeans, sweater, boots. Armor for another day of pretending everything's fine while the Council builds their case against me.
The dining hall is packed when I arrive. I push through the doors and the noise doesn't quite stop but it shifts. Conversations pause mid-word. Heads turn. Yesterday'ssummons to the Headmaster's office is apparently the hottest gossip on campus.
"Did you hear she was in there for over an hour?"
"Chase Valemont himself. Official Council inquiry."
"What do you think they asked her about?"
I keep my head up and walk to the food line. Let them whisper. Let them stare. I survived Chase's questions yesterday and I'll survive their curiosity today.
I'm filling my plate with eggs I don't want when a presence registers at my back. Solid, commanding, radiating Alpha authority that makes the students around me take involuntary steps backward.
"Morning, Nova."
Caspian's voice is casual but his proximity is intent. I turn and find him standing closer than necessary, his body language screaming territorial possession to everyone watching.
"Caspian." I keep my tone neutral.
"Walk with me."
It's not a question. He takes my tray from my hands and starts toward an empty table, leaving me no choice but to follow. The whispers intensify behind us.
"Is that Caspian Jett?"
"Walking with her?"
"Since when does Caspian Jett walk with her?"
I sit across from him and he pushes the tray back to me. "Eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Eat anyway." Alpha command threading through his voice. "You look like you haven't slept."
