Aria's POV.
I stood in the throne chamber, my head bowed, my eyes fixed on the stone floor, my hands trembling at my sides.
Kael's presence was heavy, his warmth close, his voice soft but firm. "Look at me," he said, his words pleading, his boots shifting, ready to step closer.
My heart pounded, my chest tight, tears burning behind my eyes, but I couldn't look up, couldn't meet his gaze.
I was Aria, pretending to be Celeste, my twin sister, the Luna of the Shadow Claw pack. I couldn't let my guard down now. No matter what.
If I looked at him, saw his worry, his love, I'd break, my tears would spill, and my secret might slip.
My wolf, Kyra, whined, her sadness heavy, urging me to be strong, but Seraphina's threat "I'll tell everyone you're Aria" and Celeste's cruel words, "You know who isn't supposed to be Luna?" choked me with fear.
I couldn't lose him, couldn't face the pack's judgment, couldn't risk death.
