Elias’s POV

He knew.

There was no other explanation.

Ronan had said my real name. Quietly. Intentionally.

Like a secret he’d been holding onto, waiting for the right moment to watch me break.

And gods, I almost did.

Sleep didn’t come that night. The walls of my dorm felt too tight, too aware. The collar kept pulsing against my skin, picking up every uneven breath, every tremor. I’d tried everything; cool water, more suppressant, slow breathing, but nothing worked. My body was ...