Lyra's POV
I stood frozen in place, the revelation crushing my chest like a vice.
Silas's jaw clenched tight. His eyes moved between Celeste and me before his knuckles went white against the counter's edge.
I straightened my spine. "I told you the Grand Luna's condition wasn't my fault."
Something flickered across Celeste's face. Doubt crept into her eyes.
"Someone else poisoned her," I said, my voice stronger now. "Alpha Benedict did this."
The accusation hung heavy in the air. Even saying it felt impossible. But the evidence was right there in front of us.
Celeste's lips parted, then snapped shut. She shook her head in disbelief. "That kind of accusation can't be made lightly—"
"She's telling the truth," Silas cut in.
Celeste whipped around to face him. "Elder Silas—"
"I don't know for certain that Alpha Benedict is behind this," he said carefully. "But our cure worked."
The words hit like a physical blow.
Celeste went rigid. "What?"
