Ravena's POV
Lucien’s head snapped toward me, his shoulders stiff. “Good news? You think this is good news?!”
I held his glare, letting him see the truth I had carried for far too long. My heart thumped wildly, but I calmed myself with deep breaths. Then, word by word, I gave him the one thing he never thought he would hear from me.
“I reject you, Alpha Lucien Thorne.”
His body jerked, his face twisting in shock before the pain hit him. He staggered back a step, then dropped to his knees with his hand clutching at his chest as if claws were tearing him from the inside.
“Lucien!” Astrid screamed, rushing forward. Her hands fluttered helplessly, her voice breaking. “No, no, this cannot be happening!”
Garrick’s chair screeched as he pushed himself forward, rage burning in his eyes. “Yo
