ELIANA'S POV

Kristen cornered me the moment the lunch was over.

I should have expected it. His eyes had lingered on me all through the meal, burning holes into my skin every time Karen’s gaze found mine. I tried to appear unbothered, calm, collected—but deep down, my pulse had been a frantic drum, screaming the secrets I couldn’t let slip.

Now, as the last of the pack members filtered out of the dining hall, he caught my wrist, halting me mid-step. His grip wasn’t harsh, but it ...