Ronan POV
I watched her walk away while my wolf protest against it.
Watched her disappear into the crowd with Lena still gripping her wrist.
And I did nothing.
Again.
I clenched my jaw, forcing my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching out, from stopping her.
Because what would I even say?
That I didn't mean to shove her yesterday? That I didn't want to hurt her? That every time she flinched away from me,it made my wolf whine pathetically and something inside my chest twisted so painfully it made me sick?
No.
That wasn't who I was allowed to be.
Not with her.
Not with anyone.
"She got you there, man."
Zane's voice cut through the silence, amused as always.
Jaxon just crossed his arms, shaking his head. "She's going to snap one of these days, and you'll deserve whatever she does to you."
I exhaled slowly, forcing my expression into something unreadable.
Something cold.
"What makes you think I give a damn?" I muttered, turning away.
But as I walked, I felt Kai's stare on my back.
Quiet. Observant.
As if he saw through the walls I had spent years building.
I ignored it.
I ignored all of it.
Because that was easier than acknowledging the truth.
That every time I looked at Raine Callahan—
I saw the one thing I could never have
Laughter rumbled around our usual table, blending with the constant chatter and clatter of the cafeteria. The scent of food and cheap perfume hung heavy in the air, but none of it distracted me. Not really.
Jaxon was leaning back in his chair, balancing it on two legs as he tossed a crumpled napkin at Kai, who barely reacted. Zane was grinning at something on his phone, probably some dumb meme he'd found.
I should've felt at ease.
Instead, I was restless.
And I knew exactly why.
The doors at the far end of the cafeteria swung open, and just like every damn time, my body tensed before my mind caught up.
Raine.
She walked in beside Lena, her shoulders stiff, head ducked slightly, like she was bracing for something. She always did that when she walked into a room full of people. Always kept her guard up, like she was waiting for the next hit.
I hated that I knew why.
And I hated even more that I was part of the reason.
My fists clenched under the table, but before I could spiral too deep into my thoughts, a sickly sweet voice broke through.
"Ronan."
Ava.
I resisted the urge to sigh.
She leaned against the table, arms pressing together just enough to make sure I noticed. As if I cared.
Her friends giggled beside her, all of them throwing flirtatious glances at us. At Jaxon. At Zane. But mostly at me.
As usual.
"You were amazing in training today," Ava cooed, twisting a strand of blonde hair around her finger. "You make it look so effortless."
I grunted in response, picking at my food.
She took that as encouragement.
"Are you coming to my party this weekend?" she pressed, tilting her head in that way she probably thought was cute. "It wouldn't be the same without you."
I was already exhausted.
I didn't respond, and she frowned slightly, but before she could say anything else, a ripple of tension shifted through the cafeteria.
Because Raine and Lena were walking toward our side of the room.
And I knew the exact moment Ava noticed.
Her expression darkened for a second before she plastered on a smirk, turning in her seat.
"Well, well," she drawled, loud enough for people to hear. "Look who decided to crawl out of whatever hole she hides in."
Raine's shoulders twitched.
Lena stepped forward, already scowling. "And look who still has nothing better to do than run her mouth."
Jaxon chuckled under his breath, entertained. Zane just smirked, waiting to see how this played out.
I said nothing.
I just watched.
Watched the way Raine kept her face blank, like she was forcing herself not to react. Like she'd built walls so high no one could get in.
Not even me.
Especially not me.
Ava's lips curled, eyes flicking toward me as if expecting me to join in, to add to whatever humiliation she was trying to stir up.
But I didn't.
I just leaned back in my chair, eyes locking with Raine's for the briefest moment.
And then I did the only thing I knew how to do.
I smirked.
Just enough to make her think I was enjoying this.
Just enough to make her think I didn't care.
And when her eyes hardened—when that spark of defiance flared up in
them like a dying fire struggling to stay lit—
I told myself it didn't hurt.
I told myself I didn't care.
Even though it was a lie.