Kaelen's pov
No one moved.
The silence stretched, heavy and absolute, pressing down on all of us like a physical weight. I could hear my own heartbeat, the distant sound of celebration from the brewery, the soft rustle of someone shifting their weight uncomfortably.
Everyone was looking at Lena. At me.
Then Lena stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. The sound was harsh, jarring, like a scream in the quiet.
"Fine." Her voice was tight, controlled rage barely contained behind clenched teeth. "You want absolute loyalty? You want people who'll follow your orders without question, without thought, without ever challenging you?" She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Then you don't want me. You never did."
"Lena–" Marcus started, reaching toward her.
