Sara's POV.
“Do you even understand what you’re saying?” I whispered, leaning closer to her. My voice was low, a desperate plea.
“If you did this, if you take the blame, you’ll die. Do you know that? Are you really willing to go through this hell?”
She didn’t answer. Not a word. Her head remained bowed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, knuckles white.
I could see the fear in her eyes even though she refused to meet mine. She was scared—no, terrified.
But it wasn't me. Someone else had her under their thumb. My stepmother? Morgan? It had to be her.
Beta Derek stepped closer, his face unreadable but his presence heavy. “Luna,” he said quietly, “the ceremony is about to continue. We need to leave now.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, even though my heart screamed to stay, to pres
