Derek’s POV
The scent of pine filled my nose as I crossed the lush green courtyard with my silver-tipped cane tapping against the stony path in a steady rhythm.
As I made my way through the small gate at the corner of the building that led straight to my quarters with the guards that had initially accompanied me retreating back to their post, leaving just my second in command, Zeal, beside me, I heard footsteps rushing towards me.
The air suddenly shifted with the musty odor of Sackcloth whiffing into my nose as the footstep drew closer. I knew at once that it was a court servant approaching me because their uniforms were woven from a rough material that had a smell that betrayed them long before their voices did.
“Alpha,” a manly voice called breathless as he skidded to a halt befor
