Chapter 190

• The king ran down the stairs in a frenzy, his bare feet thudding heavily against the stone floor. His heart was pounding in his chest, and every instinct told him that things were spiraling out of control. As he reached the lower level, he checked that people were moving toward the throne room. But something wasn’t right. He noticed that far fewer people had gathered than he had expected. Panic settled deeper in his chest as he realized that many of his soldiers might already be down or had abandoned their posts.
• He paused for a moment, his sharp ears picking up faint but urgent noises echoing from the east side of the castle. Without hesitating, he pivoted and ran in that direction, determined to understand what was happening and to regain control of his fortress before it was too late.
• As soon as the King disappeared from view, Ethan, who was in his large wolf form, silently padded through the side door the King had just passed. His golden fur shimmered in the low light, and his body was tense with focus. Summer was right beside him, her movements quick but cautious.