Lucian´s POV
The silence in the room was suffocating. Only the creak of the wood beneath my boots and the frantic pounding in my temples broke the stillness.
Connor stood in front of me, jaw clenched, his breath still heavy from the failed pursuit. His uniform was torn, stained with dirt and sweat, but there was no blood. No signs of a fight.
Because there had never been one.
I slammed my fist against the table, sending scattered papers to the floor.
"You’re telling me you let them escape?" My voice came out low, dangerous.
Connor met my gaze without flinching.
"The rogues didn’t want to fight," he said calmly. "They distracted us. Led us away from the pack, straight into the mountains, where the terrain put us at a disadvantage. By the time we realized it, it was too late to return
