Chapter 149: Change of Plans
Zane~
The smell of blood still clung to the air. Metallic and Unforgiving.
It was in my hair, under my nails, pressed into every inch of skin. The bodies of our enemies lay in contorted heaps across the marble floor, their twisted limbs a grim reminder of what just happened.
My father had shifted back into human form, yet he looked anything but calm. His robe, hastily thrown over his massive frame, did little to hide the fury vibrating from every inch of him.
He paced like a caged beast, bloodied footsteps leaving dark prints against the pristine white marble. His yellow eyes which indicated that his wolf was still very present, were burning with rage—sharp, feral, and deeply personal.
"DARIUS," he spat the name like venom. "That flea-ridden mongrel dared to attack me? In my palace?"
His voice thundered through the room, and I swore the walls trembled. Abel and Roland stood near the edge of the throne room, completely silent, eyes cast downward. They knew better than to interrupt a storm mid-rage.
I tried to speak, to soothe, but my father raised his hand, silencing me with nothing but a growl. He turned, teeth bared, fangs peeking through. Even in human form, he was terrifying.
And still, through the haze of bloodlust and fury, Natalie stood near the door, quiet and still. She hadn’t moved an inch. Her arms were crossed, her blue eyes flickering with a strange mixture of amusement and something else... something darker.
But my father hadn’t noticed her yet. Not with his rage blinding him.
His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his own palms. "Darius didn’t act alone," he hissed. "No mutt like him could organize an assassination attempt inside my throne room without help from someone inside."