His brows jump in confusion. “Doing what?”

“Stop acting like you didn’t give up your life for mine,” I force past clenched teeth. “Something I never would have asked you to do. Stop acting like I won’t fuck this up. Stop telling me I was meant for this. I’m a fucked-up stoner with two chips on her shoulder. I’m a fucking shit storm waiting to happen.”

“You can do this.”

“I will crack. I will hurt you, and I will hate myself.”

Captain steps up to me, his palms finding my cheeks as he holds my head up, forcing my eyes to his.

He opens his mouth, but he doesn’t get to speak.

Shouting starts behind us and Royce calls for him in a panic.

I spin just in time to see Maddoc throw his fist across Leo’s face, then quickly slam a chair into Collins’ back.

“Fuck,” rushes from Captain as he runs for the mess, but he doesn’t have to stop him.

The second Captain’s hand hits Maddoc’s shoulder he yanks free, drops the second chair he’s picked up and storms for the exit... the one I’m standing in the middle of.

He stops right in front of me, his heavy breathing fanning across my face.

A deep divot takes form between his brows, the vein in his jaw ticking hard against the skin.

Show me those eyes, Big Man.

He does.

He yanks the glasses from his face and everything inside me crumbles, bone after bone shatters and I have no idea how I’m still standing.

He senses it, and the strain in his eyes mirrors mine.

Pain.

Need.

Inability to have.

Our new reality.

He pushes past, but not before giving a quick whisper that stings harder than any cut.

“I changed my mind.”

Changed his mind...

“He can’t have you.”

I... oh God.

No...

“I’ll fix this, baby, just hold home.”

And then he’s gone.

My vision grows foggy, my muscles giving way, but before I can fall, an arm is through mine, holding me up.

“Stand up straight,” Victoria hisses, slowly turning and leading me into the hall.

“What the hell did I do?”

She pushes me against the wall to steady me, her eyes roaming over my face with a tight frown. “What do you mean?”

When I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head, she hits my shoulders against the wall and they fly open.

“Are you okay?” She eyes me.

My body grows even heavier, and I look away. “What’s that even mean anymore?”

“Raven,” she snaps.

“I’m fine, Vee,” I answer, rubbing my temples. “Just... a headache.”

Royce and Captain join us in the next second, deep frowns on both their faces.

Royce slides my way, wrapping an arm around my waist. He’s nonchalant about it but takes my weight as he intended. He leans over to whisper, “I told you, the chick is only for show.”

“Fuck her.”

“What happened just now?” Captain asks quietly.

Royce gives his brother a blank stare. “Fuck you think happened, man? He wigged out. You touched her, comforted her from pain he thinks he’s caused. The one girl he’d never fucking hurt.”

Captain’s eyes harden. “And I will keep doing it. She’ll never hurt alone. Ever.”

Royce gives a sad smile, his arm on me tightening. “I know, brother. So does he. Kinda makes it even harder to swallow.”

I hate this.

I look up at Royce. “Walk me to class?”

“Yeah, RaeRae,” he rasps. “I gotcha.”

The four of us leave the cafeteria, early for class for the first fucking time ever.

“Good afternoon, Wolves. Hope you enjoyed your lunch hour.”

My head snaps up as the intercom turns on, Collins Graven’s voice echoing throughout the school hallway.

Our school.

“I know I did.” He pauses for a moment. “It was particularly fantastic, in fact, with the return of Maddoc Brayshaw.”

My feet jolt, and I slowly push from the floor.

Royce’s eyes slice to the door, his brows snapping together when he spots me in a panic

“See, I’ve been holding something in for some time now, but finally, the gang’s all here and I can share the news, but let’s backtrack, shall we?” His arrogant chuckle muffles the speakers. “See, there’s this event coming up... a big event, the grandest this town has seen in some time, one I’m sure you’ll all go home today to find the invitations sitting in your mailboxes for.”

“Oh fuck,” I croak, and Royce pops from his seat, but I dash for the door and down the hall.

No, no, no...

I run as fast as I can.

“Raven Carver, who is really Raven Brayshaw, is supposed to be getting married soon. Now, I know some of you have heard, but in case you were left out of the loop, I’ll fill you in. She’s not marrying who you think, but none other than Captain Brayshaw, who, in an interesting twist, can technically claim Graven. So yes, folks...”

I skid down the entry, blowing past Captain when he suddenly jolts around the corner.

“Raven!” he shouts, but I keep going.

“Raven Brayshaw, your very own princess, is marrying Captain, as a Graven. I thought it would never happen, that we’d all get together and they wouldn’t show, but it seems... they were so eager to move forward, the two took it upon themselves to speed things along.”

I throw open his classroom door, freezing in my spot when I find Maddoc has his eyes closed, my earbuds in.

My shoulders fall, but like always, he senses my presence. His eyes snap open and he flies to his feet, worry tightening his features.

“...the two married in secret, and have been hiding it for weeks now...”

Maddoc tugs the wires from his ears, his stare quickly snapping around the room before landing back on me.

“...so if you see the newlyweds in the hall, be sure to offer them your belated congratulations ...”

A slow frown forms on Maddoc’s face, his eyes moving between mine.

One last time, Collins’ voice echoes above us, “So, congratulations on your private wedding, Raven and Captain, I hope you get everything you deserve.”

Silence.

Maddoc stares, not saying a word. Not moving an inch.

And no one around us does either, fearful of his wrath should they even breathe, everyone remains stuck where they stand.

In the next second, I’m jolted forward as a chest runs right into my back.

I don’t have to look to know it’s Captain, and with the worst possible fucking timing.

His hand shoots out, wrapping around my stomach to keep me from stumbling.

When he rights me, he freezes, slowly pulling his arms away.

Maddoc starts to shake, his head ticking to the side, like he can’t control it.

But it’s Royce who storms up, pissed off about being lied to, and wraps his brother by the neck, dragging him back into the hall.

I gasp, spinning around to look at them, but quickly whip back to Maddoc.

I walk right up to him, open my mouth to speak, but he jerks his chin, his eyes dulling before me.

“Guess I’m too little too late, huh, snow,” he breathes, a numbness to his words that has my chest caving.