The Eclipse Palace had fallen into a deathly silence. Alessio shifted back into his human form, his claws dripping a steady stream of blood.
An Alpha's challenge for the throne meant death for the defeated party. There was no in between, and this was known to all.
But between father and son, no one had been certain what the results would be. Until now.
Lothaire lay in a pool of his own blood. He wasn't dead, not yet. He still twitched ever so slightly. Yet he had suffered too many severe injuries already and his healing speed had been worn down.
If he lived or died would now be up to his own fate. It was already clear who was the stronger contender between the two.
Alessio's expression was unfazed, nothing like a man who had just driven his own father to death's door and left him bleeding out at the foot of a throne he'd held for decades.
His eyes scanned the guests. Only then did his expression reveal a change. "Where's my wife?"
