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My wolf pushed at my skin as I scented the air. He wanted out. Wanted to scent the little human whose aroma was equal parts addicting and wrong. He couldn’t put the pieces together, and neither could I.

My alpha stepped between me and the focus of my wolf’s fixation, a look of concern on his face. I shouldn’t have been surprised that Kingston was taking a protective stance. He had a thing for broken birds and knew I couldn’t be trusted.

But Wren didn’t look quite so broken anymore. She looked stronger than the last time I’d seen her. And she sure as hell had more fire.

“Do you know her?” Kingston gritted out.

If I made a habit of smiling, I would’ve done it then. Knowing I had a piece of information that Kingston didn’t have, brought me what would’ve felt like joy to most people. But for me, it was a flicker just beyond the nothingness I felt most of the time.

I shifted, moving so I could take in the little human. So tiny, yet she’d fought with such ferocity. I admired the hell out of that.

“She’s friends with Hayden, Cillian’s…partner.” I left off the word mate , given our mixed company. Just like I omitted the part where Hayden and Cillian were dragon shifters and had four others in their bond.

I wasn’t sure if Wren had that information. I assumed she didn’t. But Cillian and his horde had been surprisingly protective of the little human when I asked about her four years ago. It could’ve simply been because their mate cherished her friendship, but maybe it was something…more.

My wolf had wanted to hunt her back then. He’d wanted to mark her as ours yet was suspicious of her all the same. That sort of combination could be lethal to someone like me.

Kingston took a step back, turning to see both Wren and me. “How do you know Hayden?”

Wren’s expression turned blank. There was no longer light in her eyes or heat in her cheeks. She was nothing more than a mask of nothingness.

My beast hated it. He charged to the surface, snarling. He wanted to break free and uncover all the secrets she was hiding, claiming them for himself.

“I went to Evergreen University for a year. We had a few classes together.”

I didn’t miss how Wren downplayed their bond. Why was that?

It was Puck who spoke, moving in next to me. “You a genius, Birdie? That school is next level.”

Curiosity coursed through his expression as he studied her, but Wren was already moving, slipping through the ropes and grabbing her water bottle. “No genius here. Clearly, since I didn’t finish.”

I didn’t think that was the case. I had a feeling Wren was plenty smart enough to dominate in all her classes. I thought she’d run for a whole other reason .

The other fighters who’d been watching the exchange started to disperse. They weren’t interested in this sort of mundane information—or what they thought was mundane.

But I knew better. My little human was hiding something. And I would find out what.

Puck trailed behind her like a lost puppy. “Where are you going? I thought we could all grab some grub at the diner. We’ve earned it after a workout like today’s.”

Wren shook her head, her gaze momentarily flicking to me. “Can’t. I have plans tonight.”

Puck stiffened. “What sort of plans?”

She shot him a look of challenge. “I’m not sure that’s any of your business.”

“Birdie…” he pressed.

Wren stuck out her tongue at him. “Washing my hair.”

“Burn,” Juan called from his spot at the heavy bag.

Wren tossed her belongings into a duffel and hauled it over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

Kingston moved to intercept her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded a bit too quickly. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Kingston didn’t speak for a moment, his eyes searching hers. Finally, he stepped back, letting her pass. She moved in a blur of motion, heading out the door without another word.

King’s voice dropped. “She’s running from something.”

“No shit,” Puck echoed. “But fair warning, Ender’s convinced she’s an assassin here to kill us all.”

Of course, he was. My partner in punishment and bloodshed thought everyone was out to get us. I wasn’t so sure. That didn’t mean I thought everyone was a saint. I was well aware of how dark the world could get. How twisted.

Kingston groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I hope like hell he’s not stalking her right now.”

I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was. That was what Ender did before deciding what punishment fit the crime. Would their death be merciful? Or slow and painful?

As if we’d conjured him by words and thoughts alone, Ender swept in through the front door, Locke on his heels, looking nervous.

“Tell them,” Ender demanded.

Locke’s gaze flitted among us before returning to Ender. He swallowed hard and then glanced at the door before dropping his voice. “That girl? There’s no record of her existence… anywhere .”