(Mason) We shouldn’t have followed him. I knew it was wrong, knew it crossed a line. But none of us could help it. The moment Christian slipped out of the art room, something in me… in us… clicked. Snapped, maybe. Kyro was pacing, all restless energy and deadly growls. 'He’s alone. Go to him. Now.' I clenched my fists. 'We’re not just going to jump him,' I replied. Greyson was the one leading us. His eyes didn’t leave Christian’s back once. Not even when he paused behind a tree to listen to something. Jaxon lagged behind me, chewing on his bottom lip so hard I thought it might bleed. His fingers twitched like he didn’t know what to do with them—like they were meant to be wrapped around Christian’s waist or holding his face. He kept glancing between me and Greyson, like he was waiting

