LOGINDrake’s POVI froze as he approached us.Every part of me tightened.One second earlier, all I was focused on was taking Betsy out of the crowd, away from the noise, away from all that could cause her stress once more. She had only recently lost control and regained herself, but I could still sense how weak her body was against mine. She needed to relax. And Matteo, standing directly in front of us, was none of those things.“Move,” I said, my voice low and firm. “She needs a break.”I tightened my grip on Betsy somewhat, shifting her weight against me. Not because she had dropped weight but because she was losing her strength, she felt lighter than normal. Her body was still healing, and even though she was conscious, I could sense how shaky she was.Matteo remained there.He stared at me as I had just said something funny instead.“She is my mate,” he said gradually. “I should be the one to determine how she is treated.”His words struck me like a blow. My mouth tightened right aw
Betsy’s POVI did not wait to think.My legs moved across the corridor and down the open path toward the pool area. Already assembling, students made more noise the closer I got. Some of those people were choking with laughter. Some were screaming. Some just stood there, staring as though they were watching some kind of movie.I pushed my way through the crowdVivian had dragged Harmony to the pool.Her hands were trying to push Vivian away, and Harmony was struggling badly, her hair was damp and sticking to her face. Vivian was stronger and was holding her down too forcefully. Only to sink Harmony's head into the water and then pull it back, she continued pushing.Everything within me ignited at once.With all the force I possessed, I seized Vivian and pulled her away from Harmony.“Stay away from her”, I shouted.Behind me, Harmony coughed harshly, leaning forward, she was fighting to breathe well. Her friends around eventually hurried to assist her, but my complete focus remained o
Betsy’s POVMaxwell leaned forward slightly, and I suddenly forgot about the food in front of me as I kept my gaze on him.He merely stared at me for a few seconds, nearly as though deciding how best to start.Then he finally spoke.“What exactly is happening between you and Matteo?” he asked.I blinked and looked at him.That was not what I had hoped to hear from among all I had anticipated.I made a small grimace.“Why are you asking me that?”Maxwell didn't reply straight away. His expression remained constant, and he remained composed, which only increased my interest.I opened my mouth to add something else, but Matteo's words returned to haunt me.He had advised me to watch my back. He had promised not to hide any longer.He had made it plain that he would come out publicly whatever he intended to do next.Thinking back on how he had said it sent a little shudder through me.Perhaps that was Maxwell's purpose in asking. Perhaps he had spotted something I had not noticed. Perhaps
Betsy's POVWith food in front of me, I sat by myself in the cafeteria but did not really feel hungry.It has been like that quite a lot lately.Something has been lacking ever since Caroline stopped attending class. Even if we did not always spend all our time together, I had gotten used to spotting her. Knowing she was there had given the school a little less weighty feeling. Her seat in class remained vacant, and every day that passed without her, I felt the void even more.I found myself missing her.Peter had also been away in his own way. He was still here, though not the same as previously. He had lately devoted almost all of his spare time to the library. He said his mother had tasked him to study more about being a hybrid and grasp the environment that came with it. Though he had complained slightly the first day, he told me that, following that, he seemed to take it seriously.That left me here. By oneself.I let out a faint breath as I poked at the food on my tray.As I was
Drake's POVMaxwell was at the rink long after everyone else had left.The place was quieter than normal, and the sound of his skates tearing across the ice reverberated throughout the space in a manner that chilled the entire rink to an already low level. He was practicing alone, moving with sharp focus, his stick led the puck with enough control to show that he was not only attempting to pass the time. He was not joking.I paused and watched him.But after all the misunderstandings, after witnessing how much my envy had already cost me, I knew I had to stop guessing and hear things straight from him.Therefore, I moved ahead rather than just standing there like a moron.Maxwell spotted me nearly right away. He slowed down, stopped entirely, then set his stick against the ice before glancing toward me.He appeared astonished to find me, yet not well enough to disguise it.“Practice with me,” I said to him.His eyebrows rose subtly.I thought for one second whether he would interpret
Betsy’s POVThe instant Peter left me, I saw the little relief his presence had offered start to evaporate.I gathered my things to settle down before the professor arrived and I moved toward my desk.Matteo.I had grown more powerful. I was aware of that.But Matteo still had a knack for making the air around him feel tense.He began walking toward me deliberately, his eyes locked on me as though he had all the time in the world.I stood where I was.I decided not to step back.He angled his head a little when he stopped in front of me and eyed me as though he had arrived for a calm conversation, which only made me doubt him more.“So,” Matteo said to me, “I waited for you to come and say thank you.”I frowned at him.“Thanks for what?” I asked, though I already understood his intention.He gave a little grin that didn't spread to his eyes.“For helping you,” he responded. You wouldn't be here now if I weren’t involved.My fingertips gripped the margin of my notepad somewhat tighter.







