Ashriel’s POV
Lucien’s question, innocent on the surface, had landed like a bomb. Now every eye in the room was on me, then on Aurelia, then back to me. The elders, the warriors, even the serving staff—all of them held their breath, waiting for my answer. My jaw ached from clenching it so hard.
I had spent the last few weeks making sure that the few people who had witnessed the dinner incident—where Aurelia and I had called each other mate—understood that it was to be kept a secret. A minor mishap, nothing more. Now, Lucien, with his infuriatingly perfect timing, was threatening to unravel all of it with one casual question. I couldn’t admit anything here, not in front of everyone. Not when my standing was already on edge with his sudden return.
My gaze flickered to Aurelia. She sat rig
