As soon as Dorian saw the chaos unfolding, he didn't hesitate. He didn't know whether she was guilty or not—but he knew one thing for certain: Lara would never harm the king.
He forced his way through the panicked crowd, his jaw tight, eyes blazing. The guards barely saw him coming before he shoved them aside, placing himself between Lara and the Queen's men.
"Enough!" he barked. His voice carried across the hall, sharp and commanding.
The guards faltered, unsure. The Alphas gathered nearby exchanged uneasy glances, their confusion clear. No one dared move.
Dorian glanced down at Lara, her tear-streaked face, her trembling hands, and then at the fallen king. "No one touches her," he said, his tone low but deadly.
He grabbed Lara's hands and without another word, Dorian broke into a run, dragging her with him as shouts filled the hall. The guards reacted at once, their boots thundering across the marble floor as they gave chase.
