"Pretend. That was the deal, Lira."
Lira's lips part in fake innocence. "Well, forgive me for improvising. You know how I love to give a good performance."
A muscle ticks in his jaw. He steps closer, towering over her now. Vark paces in anger,, claws scratching to the surface.
"I'm not playing with you," Amias growls under his breath. "You think you can throw out a wedding announcement like you're tossing confetti?"
Lira doesn't shrink as she never does. That's part of her danger. She tilts her chin defiantly. "Then stop pretending you're not going to marry me. Stop acting like you have a choice, Amias. Because we both know you don't."
Her words hit him like the Alpha himself is landing a punch on his face, leaving a raw welt of truth. No choice. That's what it all boiled down to, wasn't it? The illusion of freedom in a cage.
