Lahat ng Kabanata ng Alpha Academy: The Omega in Disguise : Kabanata 121 - Kabanata 130

Elias's POVI made it back to my room without being seen.Showered. Changed. Tried to look normal.But I kept thinking about what Ronan said.I'm in love with you.The words kept repeating in my head. Over and over.He loved me. Had been in love with me for months.I didn't know what to do with that information.Didn't know how to feel about it.Part of me wanted to run back to his suite. To tell him something. Anything.But I didn't know what to say.Because I didn't know how I felt.My phone buzzed. Message from Vale.“All students report to assembly hall. 9 AM. Mandatory.”I checked the time. Eight forty-five.Ronan's meeting with Mercer was at nine. He'd miss the assembly.I grabbed my bag and headed out.The hallways were full of students. Everyone moving toward the assembly hall. Confused. Worried."Do you know what this is about?" someone asked."No idea. Probably more lockdown rules.""Or maybe they found Director Hale."I kept my head down. Didn't engage.Made it to the assem

Elias's POVMidnight came too slowly.I spent the evening in my room. Couldn't focus on homework. Couldn't sleep. Just waited.At eleven forty-five, I slipped out. Made my way through the dark corridors to training hall C.Ronan was already there. Sitting on the floor. Back against the wall."Did Vale get the note?" I asked."I don't know. Haven't heard from him."I sat down next to him. "What if he doesn't come?""Then we figure this out ourselves.""How?""I'm working on it."We sat in silence. Waiting.At twelve fifteen, the door opened.Vale walked in. He looked exhausted. Older somehow."You came," I said."Against my better judgment." He closed the door. Locked it. "We don't have much time. Mercer is watching everything. I was interrogated for two hours today.""What did he ask?" Ronan asked."Everything. About you two. About your relationship. About what I know.""What did you tell him?""Nothing useful. But he knows I'm covering for you."Vale sat down across from us. "He has

Ronan's POVI didn't sleep.Just sat in the chair across from the couch and watched Elias breathe.Every few minutes, I'd check. Make sure his chest was still rising and falling. Make sure he was okay.He'd collapsed. Actually collapsed. Fell and hit the floor before I could catch him.Thirty seconds. That's how long he was out.Thirty seconds that felt like hours.I'd seen people pass out before. In training. From exhaustion or dehydration or heat.But this was different. This was his body shutting down. Giving up.Because of the suppressants I'd gotten him.My phone said it was four AM. Almost dawn.Elias stirred. Made a small sound. Then settled again.I wanted to wake him up. Make sure he was really okay. But he needed sleep more than I needed reassurance.So I waited.At six, he opened his eyes."You're still here," he said. Voice rough."Where else would I be?""Asleep. In your bed.""Couldn't sleep."He sat up slowly. Careful. Like he was testing whether his body would cooperat

Elias's POVWe couldn't hide forever.By the third day, we had to return to classes. Had to act normal. Had to pretend everything was fine.I felt like hell. But I'd gotten better at hiding it.Sort of.First period was Advanced Strategy. I slid into my usual seat near the back. Kept my head down."Arden," someone said. "You okay?"I looked up. Chen. Ranked fourth in combat."Fine. Why?""You look terrible. No offense.""None taken. I've been sick.""For three days?""It's been a rough week."He didn't look convinced but dropped it.The professor started the lecture. I tried to focus. Couldn't. Everything felt foggy. Distant.I made it through the class. Barely.Between periods, I felt eyes on me. Students staring. Whispering."Is Arden okay?""He looks awful.""Lost a lot of weight.""You think something's really wrong?"I ignored them. Kept walking. Made it to the second period.Ronan was already there. Saved me a seat next to him.I sat down. He looked at me. Concerned."You good?"

Elias's POVI let them in because I didn't have a choice.Castellan and Vale walked into my small dorm room. Looked around. Saw the unmade bed. The empty protein shake bottles. The medication vials I'd forgotten to hide.Shit.Ronan moved to stand next to me. Close. Protective."Please, sit," Castellan said. Like it was his room and not mine.We sat on my bed. He and Vale took the desk chair and the small chair from the corner."Mr. Arden," Castellan began. "I'm going to be direct. Multiple faculty members have expressed serious concern about your health. Students have reported incidents in the dining hall. Instructor Vale has documented your declining performance in combat training."I didn't say anything. Just waited."Additionally," Castellan continued, "Agent Mercer has been making inquiries. About your absences. About your medical history. About various irregularities."My heart was pounding. "What kind of irregularities?""That's what we're here to discuss."Vale leaned forward.