Everyone stiffened at Jay's answer, stunned into silence.
The Grand Duke leaned forward, his voice low and firm.
"Jay, tell us the truth. The real truth. We cannot afford uncertainty not in a situation like this."
Jay didn't respond immediately. He closed his eyes slowly, as though searching within himself for something he wasn't sure he could find.
A tense quiet fell over the hall. The witch elders stared at him, unblinking. Ed kept his head bowed but restless. The Grand Duke waited, holding his breath.
Jay drew in a deep, uneven breath.
"I…" he paused, his throat tightening. "I don't even know if what I feel for Liv is… love."
Several people exchanged shocked looks.
"But," Jay continued, voice low yet steady, "what I do know is that… long before anyone realized anything, long before they called her my destined mate… I had already been following her."
His eyes were distant, but honest.
"For a very long time."
The confession dropped like a stone into still water.
