Chapter Twenty-Eight

Julian's POV

I paced outside Cassius' chambers, running a hand through my hair. The alpha's agonized groans still leaked through the door, setting my teeth on edge.

This was a bleeding disaster. With Cassius out of commission, the vultures were already circling. I could practically smell the stench of ambitious mongrels slavering for a shot at the top spot.

A figure rounded the corner - Loras, Cassius' steely-eyed head of security. He nodded tersely as he approached.

"What's the situation?" I asked, not bothering with niceties.

Loras' perma-frown deepened. "Rumblings amongst the mid-tier families. Whispers of potential power plays if the alpha remains incapacitated."

I snorted. "Tell me something I don't know."

"The Blackwood clan is getting bold," Loras continued, undeterred. "Calling in old debts, consolidating their resources. Could be positioning for a coup."