"Then why don't we attack him while he's weak?"

"No. We can't rush into this. You need to learn control," Edward said sternly.

"I already have control! I just want to end this."

"And we will. But not now. Keep training with Narxus for now," she instructed.

I nodded reluctantly, noticing Crexus with a dark look on his face locking eyes into the wall.

Are you okay?

With a curt nod towards me in response, he disappeared. I was used to Crexus's stoic nature face and apathetic attitude but something was clearly bothering him.

"What did he say to you?" The headmaster asked curiously, catching on to our private conversation somehow. Well, it wasn't really a conversation since I was the only one who talked.

"He told me to stay safe and I told him to do the same as well," I said, deciding to lie once I saw the skeptical look in her eyes.

"Very well, we'll update you if anything changes," she said, plastering a smile on her face.

Taking that as my cue to leave I left quickly.

Once I was a good distance away, I saw something enter my path. Going too fast to stop, I tried to dodge it but ended up hitting it anyway, tumbling through the hall into the nearest wall.

Muttering, I pushed myself up with my palms, seeing a hand in my line of vision. I looked up to see it was Crexus who I'd run into. My annoyance fading, I grabbed his hand letting him pull me up.

"How are you?"

We don't have much time. I need you to listen to me. Don't trust the Headmaster. She's been lying to us and she might be lying to you as well.

Are you sure? She's done nothing but help me and my friends.

I have to leave before she notices I'm not at my post. Remember what I said.

I will.

With a poof, he was gone. I couldn't wrap my head around the Headmaster betraying us. But if Crexus, one of her trusted guards said I shouldn't trust her that was saying something.

I pulled out my phone, meaning to check the time but ended up hovering over Zion's contact deciding whether or not to text him. I wanted to talk to him, to make things right but what would I say?

I darted quickly to his room, not bothering to check. I'd have to decide what to say to him when I got there. I arrived at his door, raising my fist to knock when the door flew open and he stood before me. We stared at each other for a couple seconds before he stepped to the side for me to enter.

I waited for what seemed like forever, tapping my foot nervously as the silence dragged on. Deciding to finally speak, I opened my mouth hoping whatever came out didn't make me look any stupider than I felt.

"How are you?"

"Just say whatever you came for."

"I need a reason to come here?"

"Let's not do this. I'm not in the mood," he said, settling down at his desk, rifling through papers.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, okay? I didn't want to hurt you. I know it doesn't seem like it but I've always trusted you. I'm just used to being alone and handling things on my own."

"I'm not accepting that. Not until you come clean about everything, I mean EVERYTHING you've been hiding from me. If you can't do that, we have nothing left to talk about."

Groaning, I slid down the wall onto the ground before trying one last time, "I know I've been horrible but can we not do this now? Our lives are still in danger and we can't afford to be arguing when Liam could literally be on his way to murder all of us right now."

Realizing I had a point, he turned to face me.

"Crexus thinks we shouldn't trust the Headmaster."

"Why?"

"He didn't say."

"And you trust him?"

"Yes."

"Of course you do," he said, scoffing.

"What? You have something against Crexus now? What is your problem?"

"You. That's what my problem is. I don't understand you Saron. You're so quick to trust anyone but me, your MATE."

"Really? We're doing this again?! I already told you that I trust you. I don't hide things from you because I don't trust you. You know what, I'm not doing this with you again."

"Yeah, walk away. That's what you do best."

Snarling, I spun around to face him once more.

"Zion, you're really starting to piss me off."

"Just leave," he said with a resigned look on his face. He darted past me, holding open the door for me to leave.

"Fine."

I left, still not understanding where I went wrong. Why couldn't he understand where I was coming from? Fuck. I hated arguing with him but everything I said nowadays seemed to tick him off. I know what he wanted but I couldn't give it to him. And he was just as stubborn, refusing to move on. I could just as easily throw it back at him. It's not like he told me every single detail about his life. Ugh.

I tried to calm myself down, wringing my hands as I made my way back to the Wing. I walked in, finding my friends in the Common with one other person. I looked closer, recognizing her. I gasped, realizing who it was sitting next to Jeremy. Bonnie. Our plan worked.

"Saron!" Tom yelled out, waving me over. I made my way over, sliding into the free spot beside Star. I side eyed her and she smiled at me, clearly pleased in her work as Jeremy and Bonnie carried in conversation like we weren't there.

"How long has this been going on?" I whispered, leaning closer to Star.

"Since you left. Aren't they so cute?!" she hissed back, excitedly.

"You know, you guys aren't as quiet as you think you are," Joel said, leaning over to us.

"Shut up! Now we have to find Tom a girl then everyone will be coupled up."

Tom laughed uncomfortably, shaking his head at Star.

Not taking no for an answer, she continued, "Don't worry, we'll find you the perfect girl. It might make time but we'll get it done. Won't we Saron?"

"Definitely," I said, laughing at her enthusiasm.

"I have to go but it was great to meet you guys!" Bonnie said, standing up and smiling at each of us.

"We should do this again. Or you and Jeremy could hang out together," Star hinting in an obvious way that led to Jeremy shooting her a look.

"Yeah, I'd love to. What's your number?" She asked, turning to Jeremy.

We all exchanged looks of surprise, not expecting it to work. We watched as they exchanged numbers before she walked off, waving back at us.

Before Jeremy could process what happened, Tom and Joel were tackling him to the ground in excitement.

"They're definitely meant to be. That was too easy," I said, shaking my head in amazement.

"Right?!" Star agreed, beaming at Jeremy with pride.

"Were you with them this whole time?" I asked her.

"No, I pretended to get a call and made an excuse to bail as soon as we got to the Caf."

"Of course you did," I said, chuckling.

"You've been gone awhile. Were you with Zion?" she asked curiously.

"Mostly Edward," I said, taking the attention off of Zion. If I talked about that, I knew I'd get worked up again.

"He's back?"

"Yeah and he has news."

"What kind of news?"

"Joel, Tom, Jer, get over here," I yelled over the sound of their loud chatter and laughter.

"Crexus said we shouldn't trust the headmaster," I said, leaving the rest out. I had planned on telling them but I couldn't tell them before Zion especially after knowing how he felt. If our conversation hadn't gone south so quickly, I would've told Zion too. I hated making him feel like he was a last resort when he was the furthest thing from it.

"The headmaster? Why?" Star asked, crinkling her nose in confusion.

"He didn't have time to explain."

"Maybe he's wrong," Joel doubted.

"I don't see Crexus as the type to make mistakes," I replied, defending him. Crexus was very careful with his words and he wouldn't be wrong, not about something like this.

"Where is he anyways? Isn't his job to be your bodyguard?" Tom asked.

"The headmaster said she needed him," I said, shrugging as if I didn't know what for.

I could feel Tom's eyes boring into me, which I ignored. I felt bad about hiding the truth just as much as I did lying but not as bad as I would feel if Zion heard the truth from anyone but me.

"What do we do if she asks us questions?"

"Lie," I said a little too quickly. They all turned to look at me in astonishment.

"All of our lives are in danger and if she can't be trusted we can't afford to give her any more information that could hurt us," I explained.

"But what about Edward? You don't think he'll tell her?"

Fuck. I hadn't considered Edward. He was tighter with the Headmaster than the rest of us, which could pose a problem.

"Then we don't trust him either," I said, causing Star's mouth to drop open as she gaped at me.

"Zion will be happy to hear that," Jeremy snorted.

"Are you sure you want to lie to him?" Star asked softly.

"I survived just fine without him before this is no different."

The grudge I was holding against him for abandoning me and not Esat made it all the more easier to keep him out of the loop.

"So who do we trust?" Joel asked, scratching his head in confusion.

"Crexus, our circle, and Zion, of course."

"What about Narxus?" Tom asked

"He's good friends with the Headmaster. He wouldn't believe us."

"Sounds good to me. I always found him creepy," Jeremy stated bluntly.

"Us against the world," Star said, looking at the rest of us. We all smiled, cheering in agreement. A part of missed Zion, wishing could be here with us. I pulled out my phone, sending him a quick text, even though we were fighting. Even if he didn't respond, I wanted him know my feelings for him hadn't changed and never would.

I love you

My phone pinged almost immediately with his response.

I love you too

My heart pounded as I read it. Even though we were fighting, he was able to put our problems aside to let me know he loved me. That's who I was fighting for, who I'd die for. For my dashing mate with a heart of gold bigger than the world itself who loved just as passionately as he argued. Who would go out of his way to make sure I was okay even though I was breaking his heart. I didn't deserve him hell, the world didn't. But as luck would have it, I was fated to be his mate. That made everything I'd been through and would go through worth it.