Caleb's POV
Jace's voice echoed through the mind-link, telling me Riley had finally fallen asleep. I exhaled slowly, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. The weight of her words still crushed against my chest like a boulder. She claimed she didn't trust any of us, didn't want us anywhere near her. The rejection burned deeper than any physical wound I'd ever endured.
What baffled me most was her complete refusal to see Mason. He'd been pacing the room like a caged animal for the past hour, running his hands through his hair in frustration. Mason had been the one to welcome Riley into our circle in the first place. He'd shown her nothing but kindness and protection. Yet somehow, he seemed to be the one she despised most.
"I think Zoey knows more than she's telling us," Mason muttered, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion.
