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~Spring's POV~

By Monday morning, though, it was back to reality, back to school.

I barely had time to breathe before the morning announcements rang out in the assembly hall.

Professor Mira's voice carried over the chatter. "Senior students, a reminder. Our field trip begins tomorrow. You're to be on campus by 8 a.m. sharp for departure. Lateness will not be tolerated. Bring only what you need. Food and accommodations will be provided."

Groans rippled through the hall, but a few cheers too.

"Three days, remember," she continued. "You'll be covering field research at the Havenmoor Conservation Grounds. There will be individual assessments and group work. Be prepared to endure; Havenmoor isn't a resort."

The hall buzzed immediately.

Chloe leaned closer to me with a grin. "Endure? That woman talks like she's sending you all into war."

"Same difference," I muttered, tugging my bag higher on my shoulder. "Three days of sweat and bugs."

"Or three days of excuses to wander into the woods with whoever you like," Chloe added, waggling her brows.

I shoved her lightly. "You're impossible."

Storm, who apparently had been standing behind us all this time close to my locker, leaned forward just enough that his breath brushed my ear. "Don't worry. I already know who I'm wandering off with."

My heart jumped even though I kept my expression steady. "You're assuming I'll let you."

He smirked faintly. "You will." And with that, he walked off.

—

Classes dragged after that. Most of the teachers knew nobody was paying attention, so they let us off with lighter lessons.

Still, Yvonne made sure to make herself a thorn in my side, tossing little remarks whenever she passed my desk.

"Don't forget your sunscreen, Spring," she purred at one point. "You'd hate to get burned out there."

"If anyone's burning, it's you… You're burning with jealousy."

Yvonne's glare could've cut glass, but I ignored it and focused on my notes. The last thing I needed was to give her more ammunition.

By the time the final bell rang, all I wanted was the sanctuary of my room and not my mates.

At home, I dumped my bag on the bed and pulled out a small suitcase. Packing was both easy and nerve-wracking. I didn't want to forget anything, but I also didn't want to overpack.

"Practical shoes," Rhys reminded me when he passed by my doorway. "And don't forget a jacket. Nights get cold in the ridges."

"Got it," I called back, stuffing a hoodie into the corner of the case.

I paused for a second, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Three days with all of them: Storm, Tyrion, Jace, Kael, and Lucien, all in one place, with Yvonne lurking somewhere nearby.

My stomach tightened at the thought. I knew my mates would protect me but I didn't need protecting. Jade was capable.

And looking at my mate-love life, this was going to be… interesting.

—

Tuesday morning came too fast.

The school's courtyard buzzed with energy as seniors gathered with their luggage.

Professors moved like herding dogs, counting heads, barking orders, keeping the chaos from spilling over.

"Eight a.m., people, not nine!" Professor Mira clapped her hands. "Bags on the bus, let's move."

I hoisted my suitcase up the steps of the bus, my backpack bouncing against my spine. Just as I picked a seat near the window, Kael slid into the aisle.

"Mind if I…" he began.

But Storm appeared almost immediately, smirking. "Actually, I was going to sit with her."

The immediate tension snapped between them like an electric wire.

"Gentlemen," Professor Mira's voice cut through sharply. "No squabbling over seats. Kael, Storm, you two move here. That settles it."

Both Storm and Kael shot me quick looks before obeying, retreating with muttered annoyance. I exhaled slowly—close call.

Storm dropped into the seat across from me instead, but his eyes were on me. "Guess fate wants me in reaching distance."

I arched a brow. "Or maybe it's protecting me from chaos."

"Chaos follows you anyway," he said easily.

—

The ride began with chatter and bursts of laughter. Lyon started a game of "spot the weirdest billboard," which devolved into everyone shouting random words whenever a cow or tractor passed by.

Even Professor Mira cracked a smile when Karl yelled, "Haunted cabbage!" at a passing farm stand.

I leaned against the window, half-listening, half-watching the scenery blur into rolling hills. Storm occasionally caught my eye, smirking like he was remembering something we hadn't spoken about yet.

"Three days," he murmured when the noise dipped low enough. "Plenty of time."

I didn't answer, but my pulse gave me away.

By late afternoon, the bus bumped along the gravel roads and came to a stop. Outside, tall pine trees stood tall, and the air felt cooler and fresher.

Professor Mira stood at the front. "Welcome to Havenmoor Conservation Grounds. This is where you'll spend the next three days. But first, let us do a little head count. Then we'll go over hostel accommodations."

Students scrambled to the windows, pressing their faces against the glass.

"Whoa," someone breathed beside me. "It's like a forest swallowed a mountain."

"Kind of beautiful," I admitted softly.

Storm's eyes flicked to me at that. "Beautiful, huh?"

I shot him a look. "I was talking about the scenery,"

"Sure you were."

The bus hissed to a stop, and Professor Mira called names for head count. The weight of the adventure settled in my stomach.

Three long, beautiful days being out here with all of them. What could go wrong?

—

The air in Havenmoor smelled different. It was sharper, like pine and wet earth.

As soon as we stepped off the bus, the chatter exploded. Everyone craned their necks, some snapping pictures, others complaining about the cold breeze.

"Grab your bags, find your group leaders, and listen carefully," Professor Mira called out through the noise. "You'll be setting up your camp area. Yes, that means pitching tents. And no, we won't do it for you."

Groans filled the air instantly.

"You didn't say we'd have to play survivalist," one boy muttered.

"Consider it part of the experience," Professor Mira replied, unbothered. "Besides, you're all supernatural beings, the wild shouldn't affect you."

I slung my backpack higher and started following the others toward the clearing where our equipment was piled up.

"Okay, instructions are simple," said Professor Dae, Mira's assistant. "Tents hold two to three people. But for this trip, it would be in pairs. Pair up, get organised, and no fighting over who bunks with who."

That last part was useless. The moment the words left his mouth, chaos unfolded.

"I'm not bunking with her," one girl hissed.

"Shotgun this tent," another declared, already dragging the canvas across the grass.

I stood there, watching as little clusters formed around me. Jace and Kael somehow ended up in the same tent despite glaring at each other like they'd been tricked into it.

Well, each one wanted a chance to be with me, but the rules did not allow it.

Storm didn't hesitate; he ended up with Tyrion because he knew girls and boys couldn't pair up, his gaze flicking toward me once before he zipped his tent closed like it was no big deal.

And Yvonne, of course, the new wannabe bullying bitch, managed to secure a spot with one girl who adored her.

They were already laughing, their voices carrying like it was some kind of victory.

By the time I realised it, all the tents were claimed.

"Need help since you have no one to pair with?" Professor Dae asked when he saw me standing there with my bundle.

I forced a smile. "Nope. Thanks, but I got it."

So, I pitched my tent alone at the edge of the clearing.

By the time I hammered the last peg into the dirt, my arms were aching, but the little bubble of solitude wasn't so bad.

At least I wouldn't have to deal with anyone's snoring or drama in the middle of the night.

Or so I thought.

—

Dinner prep was next. We gathered at the fire pit after settling ourselves where the professors had laid out supplies: portable stoves, pans, and simple ingredients.

For me, it was nothing in my past life.

Although I was a princess, I often camped with the warriors. We used firewood, stoves when we could and lived an outdoor life before our return after a battle.

Life was good and easy-going.

Unlike these rich kids, it was pretty chill. So, when I didn't get anyone with me for camping… it was absolute peace of mind.

However, that wasn't the case for dinner.

"Due to the double booking situation, the available spaces in the hostels wouldn't be enough. As a result, we got the camping site. There's a building with thirty toilets and bathrooms for our use."

There was slight murmuring concerning us missing the bookings, but no one dared mention it.'

"Okay. For now, everyone shares themselves in groups of four to five," Professor Mira instructed. "Cook something edible. Remember, this is not a restaurant; survival comes first."

A brunette girl I recognised in Biology waved me over instantly. "Spring, here!"