I hadn’t stumbled into that room by mistake. I’d gone there because I’d received a message from Celeste. She said she needed me, and that had never happened before, so I went without a second thought, running so fast that I tripped and tore my dress on my heels.
My vision had been blurry, my thoughts muddled, but I remembered now.
My gaze locked on hers. “You texted me that night. Didn’t you? You sent that message.”
Her smug expression cracked.
“What message? I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I took a step forward, and she retreated. “When you found us together, you threw a fit of rage and smashed my phone against the wall.” Everything was falling into place with alarming clarity. “Were you trying to destroy evidence?”
“You bitch!” Celeste’s eyes flashed. “You brazen little liar, how dare you-
“There’s an easy way to settle all this,” Maya said, stepping into the circle, her calm voice belying the fury burning in her eyes. She pulled something from her clutch-a smooth, round stone.
“What the fuck is that?” Celeste snapped.
Maya smirked. “A truth stone.”
Celeste paled. “That thing’s a gimmick.”
I’d never actually seen a truth stone before, but it was said to have been formed under a full moon, with the ability to draw out the deepest, darkest truth from anyone who held it.
Of course, Maya Cartridge would possess a truth stone.
“Oh really? Let’s see. Emma!”
Emma flinched, her eyes flaring wide.
Maya turned and tossed the stone at her. She instinctively caught it.
“Now,”-Maya’s voice dropped an octave-“did you push Sera or did you trip?”
“I-” Emma glanced at the crowd of eyes fixed on her, and her hand clenched around the stone. “I pushed her,” she whispered, bowing her head. My eyes widened as the stone glowed faintly in her hands. “I-I… I’m sorry.”
Maya snatched the stone out of her hand. “You’re a piece of shit,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear, and Emma shrank.
“Kieran?” Maya turned to him.
“What?” he asked warily.
“Wanna test it? If you tell Celeste the sky is green, she’ll believe it. You can prove to her it works.”
“No one needs to prove-“
But Kieran was already stepping up, taking the stone from Maya.
“Say something simple and true,” Maya said.
“I’m the Alpha of NightFang,” he said.
The stone glowed faintly.
“Now something false.”
“I’m the King of England.”
Nothing. No light.
Maya folded her arms. “Celeste says Sera dragged you into that room and seduced you.
That true?”
“This is ridiculous-“
“One more word, Celeste,” Maya growled, “and I’ll gag you with the fucking truth stone.”
“Ethan, if your mate threatens me one more time-‘
“You’ll what?” Maya stalked forward. “Frame me for a crime I didn’t commit? Make me suffer ten fucking years for something that-“
“Sera didn’t throw herself at me.”
All eyes turned to Kieran, who had a fist wrapped tightly around the stone.
I blinked. “What?”
“Sera didn’t make the first move. Kieran didn’t either.”
His eyes locked on mine, and my breath hitched. A flash of golden light shimmered across his irises. He bared his teeth, and his fangs poked out, glinting underneath the moonlight, and when he spoke next, his voice was low and gravelly-his wolf, Ashar.
“I did.”
The crowd went silent.
The truth stone glowed.
KIERAN’S POV
“I did.”
The words-growled out by Ashar-hung in the air like thunder after a lightning strike. The truth stone glowed in my hand, silent and unyielding.
Everything stilled.
Not just the crowd, not just Sera-but even the night seemed to pause in deference to the revelation. My mind reeled, trying to make sense of what I’d just said-what Ashar had just confessed.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears. ‘Ashar,’ I said, trying to wrestle back control. ‘What the fuck did you just say?’
But he was silent now. Tucked deep inside. Elusive.
‘Ashar!’
He couldn’t just drop a bomb like this and retreat.
Sera was staring at me like she didn’t know whether to breathe or break. Her lips moved as if trying to speak, to understand, but no sound came out.
My hand fell to my side as Maya took the truth stone and tucked it into her clutch.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Celeste demanded, voice cracking with panic.
“Kieran?” Sera’s soft, hesitant voice made something tighten in my chest. Her wide gaze was full of questions-none of which I could answer.
That night was just as hazy for me. I’d been drunk. I’d stumbled into a room to sleep it off.
I’d woken up the next morning with Sera in my arms.
“Kieran!” Celeste snapped, pulling my attention to her. “What the hell? Why the fuck are you trying to cover up for her?”
“Are you deaf or just plain stupid?” Maya snapped. “Your precious Alpha just admitted that he was the one who came on to Sera!”
“Ten years.” Sera’s voice was a hoarse, trembling whisper, but it carried the weight of a thousand accusations. Her eyes seemed to burn, her gaze never leaving mine. Lucian moved to her side, glaring at me like I’d just torn the moon out of the sky.
“You let everyone blame me for…” Her nose wrinkled. “For seducing you, stealing you-“
“You did!” Celeste screamed, stepping between me and Sera. “I don’t know what you’re doing right now, but-‘
“Enough!” I said sharply, my voice slicing through the night, vibrating with authority.
I looked around the crowd gathered and clenched a fist. “If you’re not a Blackthorne or
Lockwood, goodnight.”
Celeste’s friends shuffled their feet, glancing at each other, reluctant to leave.
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