The aftermath of the midnight ambush left the Blood-Moon fortress under an immediate, high-alert military lockdown. The heavy iron gates were dropped, and squads of uninjured elite warriors patrolled the outer walls, their spears gleaming under the cold light of the moon. Inside, the grand ballroom was cordoned off, the bodies of the fallen rogues dragged out into the courtyard while servants scrambled to scrub the dried crimson stains from the polished wood.
Upstairs, the royal residential wing was entirely silent. Aidan and Liam had finally fallen into an exhausted sleep, tucked tightly beneath their heavy furs under the watchful eyes of four personal guards. Alpha Duncan had issued a direct, unyielding command: the nanny, Selah, was to be brought to his private study immediately. Alone
