**Ethan’s POV
A stillness fell over the throne room as I walked in. King James looked exhausted, with dark bags under his eyes, and Talon looked distressed. His teeth were gritted together, and I felt like he wanted to tell me something.
But I had left Rosalie and my baby to travel a great distance to be here. It was clear that something chaotic was happening as I used a little-known tunnel to make my way into the capital with the men who had accompanied me.
Now, I stood before a group of men who were glaring at me, waiting for the king to answer my question.
“Who doesn’t need to speak unless spoken to?” I asked him. Surely, no one was to speak to Talon in such a disrespectful way.
Granted, my Beta was a subordinate, but he’d never been anything but a loyal, respectful soldier for the king.
“Ethan, you’ve returned,” my cousin said, a look of relief washing over him. “And not a moment too soon, I’m afraid.”
