The room dropped into silence as Diego’s tongue flicked against dry lips.
“Then ask what you came to ask,” he said, trying to stand straighter.
Heiko’s gaze sharpened like a blade. “Did you hire rogues to attack River?"
Diego’s mouth twitched. “I—I believe that you have been misled as—”
“Lie again,” River interrupted, stepping forward. Her voice turned cold, her Dark Alpha aura flaring like black fire around her. Her power pulsed outward, crashing through Diego’s mental defenses.
“Answer with the truth.”
The command hit him like a tidal wave. Diego’s knees buckled, and he gasped as if the air was being pulled from his lungs. His eyes widened in terror, pupils dilating under the weight of her command.
“It—it was Prince Thas,” he blurted out. “It was his idea! I didn’t plan anything!
