LOGINKYLE'S POVBy the time we were cleared to leave the infirmary, everyone looked exhausted.The others decided to return to the hostel to freshen up and get some rest. Sonia and I, however, agreed to head back to class. Neither of us had much to say on the way out.I waited until we were away from the infirmary before grabbing her arm.“What the hell was that?”She turned, but before she could answer, I backed her against the wall, gripping both her shoulders.“Why would you show up and tell Justin about me and Claire? Have you lost your mind?”Sonia stared at me without flinching.“First, tell me how you even know about it.”“Let go of me, Kyle.”I loosened my grip, but I didn't step away.“Answer me.”She scoffed. “You're seriously asking me that?”“Yes, I am.”“Maybe you should be asking yourself why you're sleeping with me while still sneaking around with Claire.”My jaw tightened.“Keep your voice down.”“Why? Afraid someone might hear the truth?”I stared at her, unimpressed by he
Justin's POVSomething was going on between Claire and Kyle.I wasn't blind.The moment Kyle walked into the infirmary, his attention went straight to her. He barely acknowledged anyone else before rushing to her side, checking her over with a level of concern that seemed a little too personal.And Claire didn't appear surprised by his attention.Interesting.I kept my thoughts to myself. There were already enough things I didn't understand without adding their relationship to the list.“Does this hurt?”The medic's question pulled my attention back to him.“No.”He pressed another spot along my arm.“And this?”“Still no.”He scribbled something on his clipboard before moving on to examine my shoulder.I glanced toward Claire. She was talking quietly with Kyle, who remained beside her bed. Every so often, she looked in my direction, perhaps checking whether I was paying attention.I made sure to give her that impression.I shifted closer, asking whether she needed anything and listen
Nivia's POVThe first thing I noticed when we arrived at the infirmary was the smell.Antiseptic. Medicine. Something sharp that made my nose wrinkle.The second thing I noticed was Mateo’s hand around mine.He hadn’t let go since we left the island.“Let them examine you first,” he told the medic as soon as we entered.The medic glanced at me, then at him. “We need to assess everyone.”“She needs attention first.”“Mateo,” I murmured, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I'm fine.”He looked down at me, his expression anything but convinced. “You don't look fine.”I almost laughed. After everything we'd been through, looking fine was hardly a priority.Still, I allowed the medic to guide me toward one of the beds. Mateo remained beside me, his eyes following every movement as the examination began.A few feet away, Justin stood with Claire.He hadn't approached me since we arrived.Not that I expected him to.There was something different about him now. He was still attentive, still wa
Nivia's POVI fell out of the silver light and hit the ground hard.Cold marble under my palms. The smell of old wood. The soft yellow light of the beams above me. I lifted my head.The Lab.I was on the floor of the old Science Lab at Oakwood Academy.For a second, I didn't believe it. My mind couldn't hold the shift between the jungle and the confined building. My hands were shaking. My throat tasted like salt from crying in the cave.Mateo landed beside me with a low groan. Claire tumbled out next, sprawling on her back, her hair a wild tangle across her face. Justin came through last. He landed on his feet, staggered, then went still.The silver door in the air behind him closed with a soft snap.The laboratory was warm. Too warm after weeks of jungle air.I smiled, grinning from ear to ear.We made it. We were back, at last!"You look terrible." A voice spoke up.It was calm. Familiar. My head snapped up.Alpha Jaxon stood at the laboratory's door in a crisp white shirt with the
Justin's POVNivia knelt at the edge of the stone ring with her palm on the floor. Her hair had fallen forward and I couldn't see her face. Her shoulders shook once, and I felt that shake somewhere behind my chest before I remembered I didn't want to feel it right now.The mate bond didn't care what I wanted.I hated that.The gash on my forehead throbbed with every heartbeat. My ribs felt bruised from where the creature had knocked me down. None of that hurt as much as looking at the small curve of her spine and knowing where my hands used to fit against it.Mateo was crouched in front of her with his hand on her shoulder. His shirt was dark with dried blood. He was murmuring something to her I couldn't hear.The image slammed into me before I could stop it. Nivia in the moss. Mateo's mouth against her throat. Her fingers curled into his hair. My knuckles had cracked so loud last night I was surprised the whole forest hadn't heard.I looked away."Get up," I said, and my voice came o
Nivia's POVDawn came slowly.The silver dome around us faded on its own once the creatures stopped clawing at it and left. One moment it was there, thick and glowing, and the next it was gone. My hands dropped to my sides and I nearly dropped with them.Mateo caught me by the waist before I could hit the ground."Easy," he whispered. "I've got you."His shoulder was bleeding through his shirt. He was holding me anyway.Justin stood a few feet away with his palm pressed to the gash on his forehead. His grey eyes had been on me since the light faded, but he had not spoken a single word.Claire sat in the dirt with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching me the way you watch something you don't understand. Her mouth was pressed into a thin line.None of them was looking at me the same way they had yesterday."What was that?" Claire finally whispered."I don't know.""You have to know, Nivia. That came out of your hands.""I don't know, Claire." My voice cracked. "We were in danger.
Nivia's POVI sat staring at Mateo while the question hung between us like a grenade.I was so sick of being caught up in this mess. Of being painted as the bad guy."So I'm trash now. Is that how you see me?" I continued."That's not what I meant.""Yes, it is! You're acting like I betrayed you, b
Nivia's POVThe guilt ate at me, raw and fresh that my throat closed, but tears kept pouring from my eyes."Hey, hey." Mateo sat up, pulling me with him. He grabbed my shirt and helped me put it back on, then wrapped his arms around me. "What happened? Talk to me.""I can't do this," I choked out.
Claire's POVEverything was spinning.My stomach lurched. My head pounded. I couldn't tell which way was up.Then I hit something hard.Sand.I lay there for a moment, trying to catch my breath. Trying to understand what had just happened.One second I'd been in the lab. Touching that strange shimm
Claire's POVI searched for twenty minutes before I realized I was wasting my time.There was nothing here. Just books. Just endless shelves of useless information that meant nothing to me.I slammed a chemistry textbook back onto the shelf, frustration burning through my chest.This was stupid. Ni







