The hallways were silent by the time I slipped out. I moved carefully, each step calculated, silent on the worn tile floors. The academy never truly slept—there were always patrols, restless students, echoes of movement in the dark—but for now, the halls were empty.
I wore a hooded sweatshirt over my pajamas, hoping to blend in if anyone caught sight of me. Just another insomniac alpha going for a walk. Nothing unusual. Nothing interesting.
But my heart thudded in my chest, loud and warning.
Kael had wanted to come. Had practically begged. But we both knew that if this was a trap, me going alone was the only way to protect him. And if it wasn’t… if it was really help being offered, then Niko wouldn’t talk in front of another alpha.
The basement stairs creaked under my feet. I winced at
