Chapter 271

DEREK’S POV I couldn’t do it. Standing in that hall, with the eyes of the pack burning into me, Seraphina’s threat still ringing in my ears—I couldn’t. The truth sat like fire on my tongue, but I swallowed it down. I couldn’t let Aurelia learn the truth of our bond. Not like this. Not when the world already wanted her destroyed. So I stood there in silence as Kael carried the weight I should have shouldered, spitting out half the truth and casting Celine to the wolves. And as the Beta’s daughter was dragged away in chains, the fury in Kael’s eyes was not for her. It was for me. Later, when the hall emptied and the air still reeked of blood and judgment, I found him. “Thank you,” I said stiffly, each word dragging like gravel. “For hiding the truth.” I should’ve known better. Kael’s fist connected with my face before the last syllable even left my lips. My head snapped back, copper filling my mouth, and warm blood spilled from my nose. “You bastard!” Kael roared, shaking with fury. “Don