#Chapter 13: A Scar Revealed

(Violet’s POV) The room leaned in as one. Everyone was waiting for my response. The truth is, not only do we know each other, but we also slept together—for three whole years. “No,” I said softly, the word ash on my tongue. “We’ve never met.” Forgive me, my goddess. But if I told the truth, my traitorous heart would crack my ribs open before Lucian could lift a finger. Lucian was surrounded by others again, but I noticed that he seemed to glance at me for a moment. The girl’s shoulders slumped, her hopeful smile dissolving like sugar in rain. As she melted back into the crowd, a murmur rippled through the nobles—half relief, half voyeuristic disappointment. I had already stepped out from the center of the crowd, and we stood at the edge of the hall, speaking softly. "True, even Lady Violet couldn’t possibly know the Lycan King." "He’s such a mystery. If he’s visiting the Werewolf Pack, why not go directly to the capital, instead of coming to a small city like ours?