LOGINJustin'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 POV The noise started in my head like a low buzz. It came from inside me, like a wire pulled tight behind my ribs, vibrating with a warning I couldn't shape into words. My eyes flew open. The tent was dark. The kind of dark you only get in the middle of the night when the fire has almost gone out. Above me, the woven leaves of the roof rustled softly, but there was no wind. Mateo's arm was heavy around my waist. His breath was warm against my hair. Slow. Steady. He was deep asleep. I looked down at my body. My shirt was back on. So was my skirt. My boots were placed neatly beside my head. He'd carried me back. He'd dressed me before he brought me here. Something soft cracked inside me at the thought. The buzz in my head sharpened though, and I couldn't hold onto softness right now. On the other side of the tent, Claire was curled up in a tight ball under a blanket, her back to me. Her breathing was slow. Still asleep. My eyes scanned the tent. Justin's sle
Nivia POV.I woke before the bell.For a moment, I lay still and listened. The girls’ hostel was quiet. No running water yet. No doors slamming. Just soft breathing and the faint noise of the old ceiling fan.Rachel slept in her bed, her back to me, a thin line under her blanket. From here, I cou
Claire POV.As I stormed towards the abandoned block, Kyle followed closely behind, his quiet footsteps a testament to his loyalty. I could feel my anger boiling over, and I knew I needed to let it out before I exploded.I entered into the building, my eyes scanning the crumbling structure as I tr
Claire POV.I could see the surprise on his face as he heard my demand."Wow, what a tough demand for a reward," he mused wistfully, his eyes never leaving mine.I was sure he hadn't expected that I would use the reward as my chance to get engaged to Justin.But what other choice did I have? I coul
Claire POV.I could see desperation in his eyes as his fingers held mine, and he bored holes into my soul, searching, hoping, and waiting for me to answer.What birthmark was he talking about, and why did he look so hopeful that I would have it?Something fishy was definitely going on and Alpha Jax







