"The Law may command fear, but the mate commands the heart. Without both, even a King falters."
ALARIC'S POV
The shift was complete and the colossal, enraged form of Vayne had receded, dissolving into the hard, taut, muscular frame of the Alpha King. The raw, primal fury was still a simmering, potent fire in my blood, but the profound, simple touch of Elias, my mate, had caged the chaos, instantly restoring the cold, unyielding focus of the Law. I stood in the absolute, crushing silence of the courtyard, naked, my lungs heaving with the final, guttural effort of the transformation. I was surrounded by the kneeling silence of my entire command structure and my royal guard, the cold air thick with the scents of fear, relief, and absolute, terrified submission.
