The chapter opens with Cross pinning Wren at knifepoint after she triggered him by recounting his childhood drowning nightmare. Wren defuses the threat with laughter and coded references, asking if his favorite animal is still a wolf and mentioning her former favorite flower, daisies. Cross loosens his grip as recognition builds. Wren explains she realized the connection after seeing a seaside boat painting in Vinessa Redden’s room that matched the scenes “Wolf” once described, revealing that Cross is “Wolf” and Wren is “Daisy.”

They confirm the link telepathically, marveling at finally meeting in person after knowing each other since childhood. Wren immediately grasps the implications: Cross is Modified. Cross admits he has telepathy only, has never connected with anyone but Wren, and has kept it secret from everyone, including family. Wren claims she has “just telepathy,” concealing her broader abilities and denying involvement in the incitement at Julian Ash’s execution, instead asserting it was Jim Ash; Cross remains skeptical but listens.

Cross notes the extraordinary strength of Wren’s shield against Lieutenant Colonel Jayde Valence, describing Jayde’s formidable range. The conversation turns intimate and protective as they hold each other, then shifts to politics when Cross asks if Wren works with the Uprising. Wren admits she joined after Jim’s death and acknowledges leaking the grid locations of Silver weapons caches.

Wren raises Vinessa Redden’s condition, arguing Vinessa is Modified with a fragmented mind rather than schizophrenic, and points out that not all Mods have visible silver veins. She reveals telepathically that her veins do not ripple, and notes Cross’s do not either. Cross pleads with Wren not to tell the Uprising about his Modified status, fearing his family and Command would kill him if it were exposed.

Wren suggests Cross contact the Uprising, but he refuses, insisting he can do more good where he is and challenging whether Wren has ever seen him kill a Modified. Wren recalls that Cross has spared Mods even as General Redden condemned him for overcrowding labor camps. Their debate pauses as they acknowledge the enormity of their discovery and share a softened moment, addressing each other as Daisy and Wolf.

As they are about to kiss, an alert interrupts. Cross checks his comm and reports an emergency: an Uprising fighter jet has crashed near one of Silver’s weapons depots. He orders that they leave immediately.