Aurelia's POV
The silence in the cafeteria was deafening after Caesar's declaration. Every eye was fixed on me, waiting for my response to his public claim. I could see the triumph in the Kane brothers' faces—they thought they had me cornered, that I wouldn't dare deny the mate bond in front of hundreds of witnesses.
They were wrong.
"No," I said loudly, my voice carrying to every corner of the room. "I am not your mate."
The collective gasp from the crowd was audible. Phones captured every moment as I stood up, facing the four Kane brothers with Luna's strength flowing through me.
"You can't deny what's true," Caesar said, but I could hear the uncertainty creeping into his voice.
"I can, and I am." I stepped forward, drawing on every ounce of courage Luna had given me. "I, Aureli
