Chapter 255

AURELIA’S POV The courtyard spun around me, blurred by the tears stinging my eyes. Darius’s words echoed in my skull, each one heavier, crueler, breaking me piece by piece. Seduce men with innocent looks. That’s why he attacked you. No wonder no one wants to befriend you. My throat burned. My chest felt tight, as though I couldn’t draw breath. I had been called names before—whispers behind my back, sneers from my own family—but hearing him say it… it crushed me. I staggered to my feet, clutching at my skirts like they might hold me together. “I didn’t—” My voice cracked, useless. My words were nothing against his fury. Darius only stepped closer, his gaze cold as steel. “Run, Aurelia. It’s what you’re good at, isn’t it? Run until someone else catches you. Maybe then you’ll have another story to tell about how you’re the victim.” Humiliation flared hot in my cheeks. My wolf whimpered inside me, retreating, curling small as though even she couldn’t bear the weight of his contempt. So I d