Ash's POV
I hadn't felt fury this raw since my first year at Alpha Academy, back when I couldn't hide behind the masks I'd perfected. Watching three girls circle Lyra like vultures made something savage claw its way up my throat. Xander tormenting her was one thing—I could rationalize staying out of that mess. But Candice? Roxanne? This was different. This cut deeper.
"Ashy?" Candice's voice oozed fake sweetness, but her stare held pure poison. "What are you doing, honey?"
That pet name scraped against my nerves like broken glass. My teeth ground together hard enough to shatter. "I'm not screwing Lyra," I spit out, letting each word slice through the air.
"You were in her room last night," Bianca shrieked, her pitch climbing. "You think we're idiots?"
