Chapter 205: Accusations 

ZAYLEN

I stayed quiet, trying to keep my blood from boiling as the whispers swirled around the room. Liana sat beside me, her face a mask of concern and frustration.

“What happened?” she asked softly, leaning closer. “Why didn’t you negotiate with Edgar?”

“What he asked for was unreasonable,” I replied, my voice tight with barely contained anger.

“You should have given it to him, no matter how unreasonable. You know how messy it can get,” she insisted, her eyes pleading.

“Let it be messy,” I said, my jaw clenched. There was no point in her knowing what that bastard asked for.

“Zaylen, you can’t be serious,” she whispered urgently.

“I know what I’m doing, Liana,” I responded, my tone more confident than I felt.

“Hey—” she began, but I cleared my throat, cutting her off.

“Hello, everybody,” I said, raising my voice to address the room. “We are here to discuss the finalization of marriage between werewolves who aren’t mates—”

One of the elders, Elder Matthias, interrupted, his gaze sharp