"As of today, Ofelia is labeled a rogue. She conspired with enemies to attack our pack. She abandoned her son. And should she ever return…" The Beta paused, his next words hanging in the air like a death sentence. "She will be executed on sight."
A stunned silence filled the ballroom. My breath caught in my throat.
This wasn’t just a way to keep me away—this was a permanent erasure of my existence. Gavin had just marked me as a traitor. Even if I stepped forward now, I wouldn’t survive.
Mavin’s face paled. His small hands clenched at his sides. "No," he whispered.
Then, without warning, he turned and bolted for the exit.
The guards moved instantly, ready to grab him.
I couldn't stay still any longer.
"Move," I snarled at Zach, shoving his arm away. Before he could stop me, my feet carried me forward, out of the shadows and into the light.
Gasps filled the room.
I felt the weight of a hundred eyes snap to me, their shock and confusion thick in the air. My chest heaved as I took another step forward, my gaze locked on Mavin.
His frantic movements stilled. He froze mid-step, his breath hitching as his small frame trembled.
Then his eyes met mine.
"Mommy?" His voice was so small, so fragile.
Tears burned behind my eyes. "I’m here, sweetheart," I whispered.
But before I could reach him, Avery’s voice rang through the air.
"Guards! Seize her!"
A rush of bodies moved toward me, but I didn’t care. I had already stepped too far into the light, and I wouldn’t back down now.
"How dare you," I snarled, my eyes burning as I turned to Gavin. "How dare you tell him I abandoned him? How dare you tell the world I was a traitor?"
Gavin’s expression remained cold, unreadable. But I saw it. The flicker of hesitation in his golden eyes. The war raging inside of him.
"Tell him the truth," I challenged, my voice rising. "Tell him how I raised him. How I loved him. How I stayed when you—" my breath hitched, my fury swallowing my words. "How you chose to replace me before I was even gone."
The entire ballroom was silent.
Mavin’s small frame shook as he looked up at Gavin, confusion and hurt twisting his features.
"Is it true?" he whispered.
Gavin’s jaw tensed, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. But Avery stepped in before he could speak.
"Of course not," she said smoothly. "This woman is delusional. She’s manipulating you, Mavin—"