The interrogation room was cold, smelling of stale coffee and ozone. Elara sat across from Agent Miller, her hands tucked under her thighs to hide their shaking.

"We know he’s holding you, Elara," Miller said, sliding a photo across the table. It was a shot of her and Julian at the gala, his hand on her neck. From this angle, it looked like he was choking her, not caressing her. "He’s a monster. Your friend Sarah told us you were terrified. Tell us where the ledger is, and you walk free. You can go back to your music."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Elara lied. The words felt like lead in her mouth.

"He killed your mother, Elara," Miller leaned in, his voice a predatory whisper. "Do you really want to protect the man who burned your world down?"

In that moment, Elara realized the trap. If she spoke, Julian died. If she stayed silent, she became a criminal.

"I want my lawyer," she said, her voice finally steady.

"You don't have a lawyer," Miller scoffed.

The door swung open. A woman in a sharp pinstripe suit stepped in. "Actually, she has the best legal team in the tri-state area. And if you don't release my client in the next thirty seconds, I’ll have your badge for breakfast."

Julian had sent his wolf. But as Elara walked out of the station, she saw Sarah standing by a news van, a microphone in her face.

"She’s a victim!" Sarah was crying to the cameras. "Julian Vane is a predator!"

The lie was out. The world believed Elara was a captive. Now, she had to choose: play the victim and destroy Julian, or stand by the man who had destroyed her family.