Chapter 19. Shattered Illusions

Lila’s heart raced, her breath hitching as she realized her mistake, her tongue freezing, her mind spinning, her pulse pounding. She had said too much… she had revealed too much… she had lost control.

But she couldn’t back down now. She couldn’t let him see her weakness. She couldn’t let him see her fear.

So she straightened her back, her chin lifting, her eyes narrowing as she took a step closer, her voice firm, strong, commanding. “I did it for us… for our future… for our pack.”

His body trembled, his fists tightening, his jaw clenching as he took a step back, his eyes cold, his voice flat. “You did it for yourself… for your ambition… for your power.”

Her heart skipped a beat, her chest tightening as his words cut through her, sharp and cold, cruel and true.

But she wouldn’t let him see her pain. She wouldn’t let him see her regret. She wouldn’t let him see her weakness.

So she smiled, her eyes darkening, her voice icy. “And I’ll do it again… if