*She’s hiding something,* Nova growled softly in my head. *They’re both hiding something. He’s too eager to leave with her.*

Braxton didn’t give me a chance to respond, his voice hard. “Calla can handle herself. Your place is farther, and it’s not safe at this hour. I’ll drop you off.”

I watched Lila closely as she nodded, clearly reluctant but not willing to argue further. “Alright, if you insist. Take care, Calla,” she said, throwing me an awkward smile.

I said nothing as they left, my mind racing. Something was definitely wrong, and the sinking feeling in my stomach wasn’t going away.

As I walked home, the chilly evening air did nothing to soothe my growing unease. Nova paced restlessly in my mind, her sharp eyes always watching, always judging.

*I never liked him, you know,* she said, her voice bitter. *He was always too perfect, too controlled. No real wolf acts like that.*

“I know,” I muttered under my breath. “But you liked him enough to stick around.”

She let out a low growl. *I didn’t stick around for him. I stuck around because you did. You were blind, Calla. Still are.*