---- Chapter 11 No.11 Aria POV: The moment the words left his lips, | knew. | knew he was lying to protect her. The sudden shift, the frantic destruction of evidence-it all pointed to one person. "You're still covering for her?" | asked, my voice dangerously soft. "Even now, after she did this, you're still choosing that Omega over me? Over your own honor?" Kaelen's eyes shuttered, his expression becoming an unreadable mask. The pain was still there, but it was buried deep, hidden behind a wall of grim resolve. "I told you," he said, his voice flat. "It was me." "Don't lie to me!" | hissed, my temper flaring. "You were desperate to prove your innocence just moments ago. You swore on the Goddess you would find the culprit. What changed, Kaelen? What did you see on that screen?" He averted his gaze, unable to meet my accusing stare. "| was posturing," he said, the lie sounding clumsy and forced. "I thought | could bluff my way out of it. When | saw you bring in Marcus and Leo, | knew the truth would come out eventually. | decided to confess and save myself the further humiliation of being exposed." ---- His explanation was flimsy, and the murmurs from the crowd told me they didn't believe it either. Everyone knew he was protecting someone. And | knew who. A cold, ruthless fury settled over me. "Fine," | said, my voice like ice. "Take the blame. Be her shield. But | promise you this, Kaelen. Even if you fall on your sword for her, | will not let Lyra walk away from this unpunished. | will make her pay." A flicker of panic crossed his face. The carefully constructed mask cracked. "Aria, no," he pleaded, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. "Just let it be. It's over." He took a step closer, his eyes begging me. "Please. If you drop this, right now, I'll do anything. We can still fix this. We can go through with the Marking. I'll make it right. I'll be the mate you deserve." | laughed. The sound was harsh and ugly. "You think this is something that can be 'fixed'?" | asked incredulously. "You think a 'Marking' is what | want now? From you?" | didn't wait for his answer. | cut him off, wanting to hurt him, wanting him to feel even a fraction of the pain he'd caused me. | leaned in close, making sure he could see the utter revulsion in my eyes. "| stopped wanting you a long time ago, Kaelen," | said, each ---- word a carefully aimed dart. "You and your pathetic little Omega... you both make me sick."