KIERAN’S POV
Quite frankly, it was embarrassing how long it had taken me to see Celeste’s performances for what they were.
Now, watching her knot her pale hands, lashes wet as artful tears rolled down, it was clear as day.
She wanted me to step forward, to hush the whispers surging around us, to take her in my arms and apologize for all the hurt and heartache she’d gone through.
Once, I might have done it—let my affection for her blind me to her wiles and schemes.
But not tonight. Not after she so harshly and publicly accused me of rigging the Trials in Sera’s favor.
The bruise to my pride throbbed, fresh and raw. Celeste hadn’t just questioned my judgment—she had ripped my authority as Alpha apart, right in front of my pack, the world, my own son.
If it had been anyone else who’d challenged me like that, they would have been ripped to pieces at my feet.