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Chapter 212
~Author’s POV~
Whitmore moved to her chair, running a hand through her braid before sitting down with a heavy sigh.
"Send word to the Council. I’ll be present at the summit."
Ms. Heart hesitated. "Do you want to prepare a preliminary statent?"
"No," Whitmore said. "Not yet. First, I want the full seismic analysis. And I want to know if any student or staff mber has gone missing or has been acting... unusually."
"We’ve flagged Titania for erratic comnts. And Kieran has been oddly cooperative lately. Which is... suspicious in its own right."
Whitmore raised a brow. "Keep tabs on both. Quietly."
Ms. Heart nodded. "And what of the press inquiries? They’re flooding the school’s inbox. So are asking if PSA is under attack."
Whitmore tapped her fingers against the desk, thinking.
"Tell them the quake was likely a terrain shift. Minor. Contained. We are investigating as a routine protocol. Nothing more."
"And if the Council asks for student testimonies?"
Whitmore’s eyes darkened.
"Then we give them what we know. And nothing we suspect—unless we have proof."
Ms. Heart closed her tablet and turned to leave, but paused near the door.
"Do you think this is the beginning of sothing?"
Whitmore looked out toward the courtyard once again. The students had no idea what gears were turning behind their smiling faces and practiced duels.
"It’s always the beginning of sothing," she murmured. "The question is—what? And how prepared are we?"
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~Valerie’s POV~
The morning sun burned hotter than usual, though maybe it was just . My nerves had been fried since yesterday, and even now, every part of felt tense—coiled like a spring waiting to snap.
I made my way into town, hoodie up and sunglasses on. I didn’t want to be noticed today of all days when my heart was still bruised from last night and my head felt like a warzone of mories and regrets.
I walked into the courier shop, the bell above the glass door chiming softly. The place slled like printer toner and cardboard—organized, efficient, impersonal. Just what I needed.
Behind the counter, a young man barely looked up from his screen.
"I need to send this off," I muttered, sliding the old phone inside a padded envelope I’d already addressed to Ryan. His na and the pickup address were scrawled in thick black ink. "Next-day delivery. Trackable."
He nodded and took the package. "We’ll handle it."
He did not ask any unnecessary questions nor did he give the weird looks just outrightly perfect.
Ryan needed to get that phone—it was hacked and I just couodn’t trust anyone at PSA anymore, not liek I used to.
I’d bought a new phone right after sending it off yesterday, from the last of my saved-up allowance.
It was simple, secure and entirely empty, which, sohow, mirrored how I’d felt since I left Solstice’s room.
With that done, I turned and headed toward the academy library.
I wasn’t looking for comfort. I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for.
Clarity perhaps?
Or answers about the scroll... maybe sothing that linked back to the old Nightshade hideouts. Sothing I could use.
The library was dim, quiet, and slled faintly of parchnt and moonflower-scented air freshener.
Rows upon rows of books stretched into the shadows. It was perfect. It didn’t ask questions. It didn’t look at like Dristan and the others did.
And just as I moved toward the third shelf on magical histories, I stopped cold.
Ash.
Of course.
He was seated at the back, reading—of all things—a book on gateway travel and spatial warping. His long fingers turned the pages absently, like he wasn’t fully focused.
I imdiately turned.
I didn’t want to do this now. I couldn’t afford to face one of them or any at this point. It was quite easy evading Isla and my oher roommates as everyone took hold of this break to visit their families, leaving sut a few of us behind.
"Valerie," he called softly but I didn’t stop.
I heard the chair scape against the ground and knew he was getting up. Seconds later, Ash called out, "Val—please. Just... wait."
His voice held sothing I didn’t want to hear. Sothing I didn’t trust anymore.
I stopped when I felt his presence close behind and sighed. He was determined, I’ll give him that, alright.
Turning around, I looked up at him, trying to keep my face blank. "I’m not doing this right now," I said rather flatly.
"You don’t have to say anything." Ash’s eyes studied like I was slipping away and he didn’t know how to stop it. "I just wanted to know if you’re okay."
"I’m fine." I took a step back.
He frowned—and then, his eyes narrowed. "You’re not wearing your necklace."
I blinked. "It’s in my room.".
Ash tilted his head. "That necklace never leaves your neck unless sothing’s wrong."
"It’s not a big deal," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "Stop reading into everything."
"I would," he said, stepping in closer, "if you weren’t so determined to shut out."
I turned again, walking away.
Ash caught my wrist—not harshly, just firmly enough to halt .
"Why?" His voice cracked. "Why do you do this every ti?"
"Ash—don’t," I warned.
"No." He shook his head, jaw clenched. "If it were one of the werewolves, you’d stay. If it were Riven or Dristan or even Xade, you’d listen. But and my brother? You never gave us a damn chance."
I didn’t have a coback. I stood there, heart racing, staring at his hand on mine like it burned.
"I never—"
"You never let ," he cut in, softer now. "Valerie... every day, I stood there. Every day, I held myself back because my brother asked to. We didn’t want to pressure you. But it’s killing . My wolf... he’s clawing at . The bond is choking , and I..."
He trailed off.
I pulled my hand free. "Don’t say it. Not now, please."
I just couldn’t afford to handle that this mont. I know things haven’t really been fair but I honestly did not know hwo to work around things.
Tell all of them I want them? That would make seem like so whore, right? But... they are my mates, rightly bound to ...
"Why?" Ash demanded before my thoughts ford a coherent thought. "Because the one you finally gave your heart to betrayed you?"
I flinched.
He took a shaky breath, his voice lowering. "That’s his loss, not mine."
I looked up at him—really looked—and my chest ached.
"I can’t do this," I whispered. "I want to... but I can’t. I don’t even know who I can trust anymore. I’m barely holding myself together as it is."
Ash’s fingers grazed my cheek, and I didn’t stop him.
"I’ve fallen in love with you, Valerie," he said in a shaky voice. "You don’t have to say anything. But just... stop running. Please. Give a chance to prove it."
He leaned in before I could process anything else, his lips brushing mine gently, asking, lingering like a promise.
And for one second, I wanted to believe it. I wanted to lt into it. I wanted it to be real.
But when I opened my eyes, I pulled back.
"I... I can’t." My voice trembled. "I—I gotta go."
I turned and walked out, clutching my new phone in one hand... and my shattered emotions in the other.
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