Silence stretches between us, heavy with the weight of challenge and consequence. I can feel every eye in the room on us, waiting to see who will break first.
Behind me, Zari lets out a choked sob. “She is destroying everything, Lucian. Our engagement, your honor, the alliance between our families—”
“The only thing being destroyed here,” I say without turning to look at her, “is your pathetic scheme.”
I take a step toward my father’s throne, my boots squelching in the blood pooled on the marble floor. Astra follows me, huddled by my side. “You want to know the truth? Astra’s wolf is latent. She can’t shift. Alpha Gareth chose her precisely because she was expendable, not because she was the strongest.” I look directly at Gareth, whose face has gone pale. “The most powerful female in his
