Wade

"Rowan. What the hell happened last night?" A shrug and half-shoulder away from me. I normally hate it when he sulks but this time is different. He seems genuinely worried, constantly glancing across the Mess Hall and rubbing his knuckles absentmindedly.

I know better than to push for answers. I focus on my meal and wait for him, and he eventually turns slightly back. Our usually companionable silence is now prickly with tension.

I hope he's not in trouble with any of the Heads. We used to get in trouble all the time when we were younger. He just couldn't handle the other children's teasing, and I ensured he never lost a fight. He's gotten better about falling in line since then but we cannot afford to be singled out. We're lucky to be alive as it is, and it's only because the two of us can pull in more harvest than ten people combined. Even after all these years, one more outburst and we may be made examples of to the rest of the faction.

I mean, I don't agree with any of this, either. Who benefits from this life, other than the ones sitting high and mighty at the top? Out here, it has never been about wanting more, or better. It's about survival. I wish he could accept that.

Being slightly older than Rowan meant taking responsibility for my family in more ways than one—and the heaviest burden was never the physical labor. When we were young, my birth mother entrusted me to care for him, and I have done my best to keep that promise. He is not making it easy for either of us. But as much as his brooding irritates me, I can never stay mad at him. He's always watched the skies while I studied the ground. I can't blame him for wanting to fly when I can barely muster the courage to run.

Even so, he needs to be careful. The smallest conflict with the wrong people here can have dangerous consequences. And seeing his nervousness heightened to this degree after his encounter with Raven makes me very worried.

I look up and try to warn Rowan but it is too late. Raven is sprawled on the bench next to him, elbows up and back against the table—and me.

"Hey, Row," she drawls in his ear. I see him bristle at the uninvited nickname, but other than that, he does not react. I have never seen him so on edge: I'm reminded of a cat with hackles raised and eyes wide open, ready to spring into defense. He's usually nervous around people but this is quickly becoming obvious hostility. I glance at the Dauntless guards standing at the entrances of the Hall.

"So-o, I've decided to forgive your little mistake." Her words are a teasing singsong and she arrogantly speaks to her outstretched boot instead of Rowan. "I won't lie, at first I was a little jealous. I thought you were standing me up for someone worthwhile. But now I know she's noth-"

"Stay the fuck away from her."

Her eyes and voice immediately drop the gambit. "You think she can compare to me? She's a mouse of a human."

"Yeah, and you're a weasel."

I'm panicking now. Any second and we're done for. One of the Dauntless is already making his way towards us. But Raven picks her teasing demeanor right back up when she catches sight of the guard and struts away from our table, throwing her hair over her shoulder and smirking at a glowering Rowan. His fists are balled up so tight they are shaking, but when he turns back to me, there is a visceral fear in his eyes.

I still have no idea what just happened, but at this point, I don't care. My disgust with Raven and concern for our wellbeing causes me to lose my temper.

"Look, whatever happened, you're gonna have to can it." My low snarl cuts off his attempted protest. "You think they care who started it? You're going to get us thrown out, or worse, if you keep this up. I don't even know why I have to remind you. We aren't children anymore, this horseshit isn't going to fly with the Heads."

He jerks his head up in shock at the reprimand. It pains me to see him look so wounded, but he nods his agreement and lowers his head.

My tone softens. "The best thing for everyone is to stay out of trouble. It's safer for everyone that way."

"Yeah, no, I get it. I've been an idiot."

I sigh. "Let's just get this harvest done so we can get through the winter. This one's going to be rough, it's already starting to get cold."

He nods, head bent over his plate. We eat in silence until the signal bell sends us back into the fields.