Chapter 342

DEREK’S POV The moon had long since dipped behind the mountains, but sleep refused to come. I sat in my office, the dim light of the lantern flickering against the polished wood of my desk, casting long, uneven shadows across the walls. The fire in the hearth had burned to embers, yet the air still carried the faint scent of smoke and exhaustion. Aurelia’s words still echoed in my head. “He is my true mate.” She had said it — not in a whisper, not in fear, but with conviction. In front of everyone. And with those six words, everything changed. I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in my chair. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, torn between pride and panic. She’d chosen me — or maybe she’d simply defended what she believed was right — but either way, her declaration had bound us together before the entire realm. There would be no turning back now. Aurelia had just become the focal point of every political storm to come. And it was my fault. I rubbed my temples, trying to