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“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” She purses her lips.

We make our way downstairs in companionable silence, neither of us speaking, more due to us not wanting to be overheard rather than out of courtesy for those still in bed.

Once we’re outside, I send her a questioning glance. “I thought you wanted to be on their good side?” The first day we met, she was more than excited to talk to them. I think they might be the only group of Foundations she admires.

“I do, but Bellamy is partially to blame for what happened.” Ever’s coiled hair sways in the wind, and she pushes it out of her face when she glances at me. The bunny lines on her face today are full of concern. “He was courting Melody before he set his fangs on you.”

“Well, I’m not sure that was by choice,” I counter. Since when do I defend the vampire? “Besides, he’s mostly harmless.”

“It’s that little bit of harm he could cause that I’m worried about,” she admits. “Promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

I give her a funny look. “What exactly do you think we’ll get up to?”

“I don’t know, and that’s the problem. All I do know is, he’s practically Foundation royalty, and you’re . . . not.” She doesn’t mean it cruelly. In our world, a girl like me has no business even looking at a guy like Bellamy. “Speaking of,” she mutters, gaze shifting past me, and I follow it.

My head whips toward the facilities building. Bellamy leans against the wall, one foot in kickstand against it, looking every bit the monster in the early morning light. He spots us and pushes off the wall, his broody mask sliding into a charming smile he wears like a weapon.

That only seems to set Ever more on edge. She crosses her arms. “Bellamy.”

“Ever.” He arches an eyebrow and looks between us. She’s always given him a warm welcome, but not this morning. “Everything okay?”

“Yea—”

“Actually.” Ever steps in front of me, cutting me off. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but Raina is my friend, and if you hurt her or break her heart, I’ll eat yours.” She doesn’t growl, she’s not in his face, but she’s so serious it lands the way it’s meant to: a warning.

The color drain from my face. Break my heart? That’s not possible, when I refuse to give it to someone like him.

Bellamy holds up a hand but maintains eye contact with the wolf shifter. “I won’t hurt her,” he vows, and there’s so much sincerity in his tone, I take a step back.

What the fuck? What does he think is going on here?

“Tell your bonded that it goes for all of them. Raina’s not a toy. She has family here, and we protect one another.”

I rub at my chest, blinking back tears that spring up for reasons unexplained. It’s definitely not because Ever is amazing, and I think I love her. “Ev.”

She turns, sees my face, and crushes me in a wolf-tight hug. I don’t pull away, and that alone says so much about how I feel about her. She’s safe.

“I meant what I told him, okay?” She pulls back and searches my face. “We’re family. Love ya, asshole.”

Nodding, I give her a watery smile. “I love you too, jackass.”

Snorting, she pats my head, which makes me laugh, and steps back, sparing one more warning look for Bellamy before she sets off toward the Vanguard spire. I watch her go, overly aware of the way Bellamy studies me.

I take a fortifying breath before facing him. “What?”

“You don’t smile very much, but it’s beautiful when you do.”

I bristle, the compliment scratching against my skin like sandpaper. I don’t know what to do with that. I cross my arms and change the subject. “What, no hello? You’ve been gone for days.”

“Hello, sweet ruin.” He grins. “So, you missed me?”

Ugh. I’m not playing this game with him. “Where’s Rowan?” I demand, not bothering with telling him to use my real name. He never listens, anyway.

Bellamy tips his head, thoughtful. “Why do you want to know?”

I’m not sure if the shifter shared what happened with his vinculum. “I haven’t seen him in a couple days.” I shrug. “I was wondering if he finally decided he was tired of your shit.”

Bellamy smirks, but his eyes are too keen, and I know he’s seen through me. “Rowan is fine. A little grumpier than normal, if I’m honest, but fine.”