All eyes shifted to me.
Alpha Marcus was still roaring at Liam.
Inside, I almost laughed—it was all so absurd.
Then, a frail cough broke the tension.
“Don’t hurt Liam…”
Lily’s voice, weak and urgent.
Her face pale as snow.
She saw the blood streaking Liam’s cheek, tears spilling.
Throwing herself into his arms, she cried to Marcus:
“Father, please don’t be angry—cough, cough…”
Her words dissolved into another fit of coughing.
Marcus’s fury melted into worry. He steadied her, while Evelyn dabbed her tears away.
“Father, please don’t punish Liam. He isn’t a bad person. If someone must be struck, strike me instead.”
Her plea pierced the hall. Marcus’s chest tightened, Liam’s too, their wrath softening.
But then Liam turned his eyes on me.
I understood them instantly—blame.
Why
