I opened my mouth, desperate to speak, but nothing came. My throat felt like it was closing in on itself, choking off the words I needed to defend myself. I stood there, a prisoner of my own helplessness.
Alpha Lorcan’s eyes met mine—cold, unforgiving. With a dismissive flick of his gaze, he turned away, his posture rigid with disdain. “I expect a full explanation later,” he said, his voice a blade cutting through the air. He walked away without another word, every step oozing the arrogance of someone who had already decided my fate.
Marigold lingered just long enough to flash me a smile that dripped with triumph. It was a smile I’d seen before, one that promised she’d won—and I was nothing more than the casualty of her game. Then, with a glance as sharp as a dagger, she followed Lorcan,
