LIORA’S POV
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
I knew what I wanted to say. The truth was at the tip of my tongue. But standing there with hundreds of eyes boring into me, with Lucas’s gaze pinning me in place, my tongue felt thick and useless.
“I…” I started, then faltered.
“She didn’t do it,” Darren said firmly, stepping slightly in front of me. “The charges were false. She was framed by….”
“I did not ask you, Alpha Heir.” Lucas’s voice cut through Darren’s words. “I asked her. Let the girl speak for herself.”
Darren’s jaw clenched, but he fell silent.
Lucas’s eyes returned to me, waiting. Expecting me to say something.
What was he doing? Was he trying to help me or condemn me? I couldn’t read his expression, couldn’t understand the game being played here.
“I didn’t kill hi
