Scott’s jaw tightened, but his cold gaze turned to me, and I saw the flicker of doubt. Winona’s manipulation was working. She gave him a triumphant, saccharine smile, knowing she was winning.
“Who dares laugh at my woman?” Scott snapped, his voice sharp enough to silence the murmurs of Winona’s followers. But the fire in his tone didn’t reach his eyes.
He turned back to me, disappointment still painted across his face. “Ariana,” he said, quieter now but no less icy, “you’re making this all about you. If you apologize to Winona, maybe—just maybe—I’ll forgive you.”
My chest heaved, anger and heartbreak warring within me. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of the man I had once loved. There was nothing left.
“And if I refuse?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling as I held back tears.
His silence was answer enough.
The weight of his betrayal pressed down on me like an avalanche, crushing and relentless. My wolf howled in agony, clawing for release, but I kept her at bay. Scott wasn’t worth losing myself over.