MAXIMUS’S POV
The entire hall went silent. The music stopped. The laughter died.
A man stood in the doorway. His clothes were torn, hanging in shreds over a body covered in dirt and blood. His eyes glowed with madness and hate. His mouth twisted into a snarl as his gaze swept over the hall filled with nobles, warriors, and pack leaders.
The smell hit me first—rot, blood, decay.
Rogue.
The man’s lips curved into a cruel grin. “Well, well,” he said, his voice low and rough. “Look at all these royal babies gathered together in one hall. What a pretty feast.”
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
Lucien’s voice entered my mind through the mind link. ‘Your Majesty, rogues have broken through the border. We’ve killed many, but some got past our guards. They’re inside the castle.’
My jaw clench
