Elias’s POV

After Hale walked away, my legs finally stopped shaking enough for me to move.

Ronan kept a hand on my arm until he was sure I wouldn’t fall, then he let go slowly, like he was afraid I would disappear if he moved too fast.

We walked down the hallway without talking.

My chest still felt tight. My head felt hot. My stomach was twisted in a way I didn’t like.

Hale’s words kept replaying in my mind.

“If you’re hiding this boy from me… you’re choosing the losing ...