In the immediate aftermath of Lieutenant Colonel Jayde Valence’s death, Wren is overcome with guilt and conflicting relief, horrified by having incited Jayde to suicide yet glad the threat is neutralized. Cross answers Wren’s telepathic call, arrives at the supply room, and assesses the scene. When Wren admits she incited Jayde, Cross calls Xavier for “sanitation,” indicating a cleanup operation, and instructs Wren to leave, jam cameras, return to her quarters, and prepare to attend the Jubilee as planned.

Wren protests but ultimately obeys, departing with her jammer active. Alone in her quarters, her anxiety spikes as she worries how Cross and Xavier can cover the death. She briefly links to Cross to suggest staging a suicide; he cuts the link and reiterates that she should stay put.

Preparing to shower and dress, Wren receives an alert that Lyddie is coming over to get ready together. Before Wren can deter her, Lyddie arrives. While chatting, Lyddie notices Wren’s healed legs and asks about the missing scars; Wren attributes it to an Aberrant healer brought in for wellness checks.

As Lyddie examines Wren’s leg, the edge of Wren’s underwear shifts, briefly exposing her bloodmark. Lyddie forces the fabric up, sees the full mark, and is shocked to realize Wren is Aberrant. Panicked, Lyddie demands an explanation. Wren rapidly invents a cover: she claims the General and his inner circle have always known, that she is an undercover loyalist Aberrant recruited in lower school, with telepathy (and healing) used in service of Elite.

Lyddie questions inconsistencies, and Wren keeps the story simple, asserting official sanction and downplaying operational details. Wren asks Lyddie to keep her cover intact until Cross briefs Elite the next day. Lyddie also asks if Kaine knew; Wren says he died before disclosure and that Cross is supposed to brief the unit soon.

Ivy unexpectedly appears at the door and overhears part of the exchange. Lyddie blurts out that Wren is an Aberrant operative. Ivy demands confirmation; Wren repeats the loyalist-undercover story, claiming a forthcoming formal briefing and restricted files only the captain can access. Wren insists she is not a threat and emphasizes healing over harm, appealing to both women to wait until tomorrow.

After hesitation, Lyddie agrees to keep silent for now. Ivy leaves without agreeing to secrecy. Wren is left with a fragile cover story, Lyddie’s tentative trust, and the unresolved risk posed by Ivy and the ongoing cleanup of Jayde’s death.