Chapter 74

Ryder's POV

The entire room went quiet and all eyes moved to Aria. I didn't need to be in her position to feel the elders stares bore into her. She squeezed my hands tightly as her breathing began to heighten.

I squeezed back Aria's hands and turned to Hudson. "Your accusation, step-brother, how sure are you of it?" I asked him as I relaxed into my seat.

"Well, Ryder, while you were busy going from party to party, I was busy trying to find how to deal with the Core Legion once and for all," Hudson said with a wicked smile.

I gripped tight my armrest after hearing the accusation my step-brother was giving me. He was doing so on purpose because of the presence of the elders. But because I wanted to hear all that he had to say, I decided to let it slide.

"And how did your search for that end with your conclusion of Aria being part of the Core Legion?" I asked him as I leaned forward slightly, my gaze unwavering as I studied Hudson's face for any sign of deceit. Aria's hands squeezed