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~Spring's POV~

I swallowed hard as Rael's question still lingered in the air.

The bus felt smaller and hotter. I tried to force a smile, to make it sound casual, harmless.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Rael."

Rael leaned closer. "Why not? Because you think I can't smell them on you? You think I don't know what you were doing out there in the dark?"

My stomach dropped immediately.

I suspected I'd be seen, but never did I expect it to be him.

Damn him.

Jade stirred inside me, whispering her own treacherous thoughts. "He's tempting and dangerous."

Ignoring her, I clenched my fists in my lap. "Rael, stop."

But he didn't. His gaze raked over me like he was peeling away every layer, stripping me bare in front of everyone.

To anyone else, it might've looked like casual conversation, but I felt the weight of every unspoken word pressing down on me.

And then, Storm walked in.

The entire bus shifted. His presence was quiet but commanding, like the temperature dropped a degree when he entered. Without a word, he slid into the seat directly in front of me.

Rael stiffened beside me, though he tried to hide it.

Storm leaned back casually, elbows resting on the seat, but when he turned his head just slightly, it wasn't me he was watching.

It was Rael.

The look in Storm's eyes was calm, but sharp enough to cut through steel—a warning without a single word spoken.

Rael smirked, as if daring him to say something. "What? Can't a man ask a simple question?"

My pulse quickened. The tension between them was suffocating, pressing against my chest. I wanted to speak, to diffuse it somehow, but my voice remained caught in my throat.

Storm didn't glance at me. His focus was locked on Rael, his jaw flexing once. Finally, in a voice low enough that only we could hear, he spoke.

"She's not free."

The words weren't loud, but they carried the kind of weight only a bonded mate could wield.

Rael's smirk faltered for just a heartbeat. But then his lips curved again. "We'll see about that."

Jade growled in my head recklessly, but I pressed her down.

"Is that true, Spring?" Rael dared again and asked.

"It's true. Storm and Spring have a date tonight and tomorrow, she's all mine."

I looked to the side and saw Tyrion seated with a novel in his hand. Our eyes locked, and he winked at me.

"Isn't that right, love?"

I knew he saved me and came to my aid, but in doing so, he got himself a date deal we never planned.

I parted my lips to speak, but before I could do that, he smiled again. Rael chimed in quickly. "Hmm, then after that, I want to go on a date with you, Spring. Say yes, please. A real date with someone, not one glued to you by the Moon goddess."

I saw the anger in my mates' eyes. I did not let them respond before doing so myself.

"They aren't glued to me, Rael. And even if you do not like it or see it that way, I'd still pick them over you in a heartbeat, even if we aren't mates."

Rael wanted to speak, but he clamped his lips shut and smiled, looking more pleased than offended.

Storm and Tyrion whistled at the same time, locked eyes and chuckled.

Taking hold of their distraction, Rael mouthed when I took a glance at him. "You'll be mine."

"No, she wouldn't, because she got us."

I looked up at the familiar voice to see Kael and Jace behind him. They stood close to my seat and just as Mira bent down to tie her shoelaces, Kael leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.

A few cheers echoed in the bus when people saw this. I felt my cheeks get hot just from his PDA action and bit my lower lip.

"Keep those soft and moist for my return, Moonbite. I can't wait to taste you more."

He winked, then walked off to find a seat. Jace only smiled behind him, the kind of knowing smile that simply said, 'I know it all,' and of course, he did.

I did not bother looking up to meet Storm or Tyrion's gaze and just shut my eyes.

—

Soon enough, the last trip into Havenmore felt different, heavier even.

Maybe it was the way Professor Mira's voice carried a note of finality as she explained the Ministry's generosity in granting them access.

Maybe it was the stares I still felt on my back from too many directions—Rael's, Storm's, even Kael's smug grin when he caught me glancing at him.

Or maybe it was just Jade, pacing inside me, restlessly and alert.

The research facility was massive, filled with glass tubes, humming machines, and delicate instruments that looked like they cost more than I could ever dream of earning.

Professor Mira's voice echoed as she warned us: "No touching. No playing. One wrong move here could set our school back years in credibility with the Ministry."

Her eyes lingered on me for just a moment too long. My stomach tightened in reponse.

We moved as a group, and I stuck with a few girls who hadn't been a pain in my buitt since the whole trip, but I noticed Yvonne and her little clique trailing behind, whispering and snickering.

Every now and then, their eyes darted to me, then away, then back again.

Jade growled in my head. "They're up to something."

I ignored her—or tried to—until I saw Yvonne's hand dart toward one of the fragile-looking vials on the counter. A subtle nudge, just enough to make it wobble and tip as she walked away.

"Seriously!"

"No—!"

I didn't think. I dashed for it, hoping to save the glass, but it was too late. The glass shattered on the floor, liquid spreading like wildfire across the polished tile.

Alarms shrieked. Lights flashed red.

Everyone turned. And every single eye went straight to me.

"Spring!" Professor Mira's voice was sharp, cutting through the chaos. "What did I say? Do you understand the gravity of this mistake? Do you realise the Ministry could have us expelled…?"

"It wasn't…" I started.

"No excuses," Professor Mira cut in, lashing out as she stepped closer, her face flushed. "Do you ever think before you act?"

"Professor, I was only trying to save the glass. It was…"

"Throwing blame now?"

Something struck a chord inside me at the fact that I wasn't believed.

But before Professor Mira could lash out further, a figure approached—a man in a pristine white coat. Professor Mira's fury stuttered for a second.

The head scientist.

He gave her a warm smile. "Professor Mira… please, calm down."

"I deeply apologise on behalf of my student," she started, but his gaze shifted behind her as another set of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

We turned to see a tall man looking like he was in his late thirties approaching. With his hands clasped neatly behind his back and a polite smile on his face.

The scientist's expression changed instantly. "Managing Director…!" He lowered his gaze, voice suddenly shaky. "W-What brings you here, sir?"

"I heard a commotion," the director said smoothly, his tone calm yet commanding. "Thought I'd see for myself."

I stared, wondering how someone so young could be running a place this huge.

His cold demeanour softened the moment his gaze landed on Professor Mira. She smiled nervously, opening her mouth to apologise, but he lifted one palm, silencing her effortlessly.

"It's not that big of a deal," he said gently, though his smile was faint but assured. "I'll cover the damages. No one will do anything to your school."

Professor Mira blinked in shock. "I… I…"

"I believe the words you're looking for are 'thank you,'" he said softly.

"Yes, of course," she stammered, lowering her head a little. "Thank you."

She turned to glare at me sharply, and I immediately lowered my head. "T-thank you, sir."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him give me a brief, almost unreadable smile, then turn away. "Continue the tour."

The alarms stopped. But the tension in my chest didn't.

And just when he was out of reach, Professor Mira spun on her heels and glared at me.

"You will thank the Head of the Ministry in writing for sparing you the cost of damages. And you will apologise. Am I clear?"

I nodded stiffly, my throat too tight to speak. My fists curled at my sides. Professor Mira gave me one last warning look before turning to calm the facility staff.

The moment she was gone, I heard it.

Snickers. Muffled laughter. The kind that made my blood boil.

I turned and, of course, it was them. Yvonne, her arms crossed smugly, her friends grinning like hyenas.

My steps carried me toward them before I even realized it.

"What's so funny?" I asked, ignoring the storm inside me.

Yvonne's smile sharpened. "Oh, nothing. Just watching you trip over yourself. Again. It's pathetic, really. No wonder your mates are sniffing around everyone else."

Her friends tittered. Jade snarled. My nails bit into my palms.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "Enjoy your games while you can, Yvonne. Because if you try to pin something else on me again, you'll regret it."