Flashback — The Night The Rogue King Returned
The door closed behind Emerald with a soft click, but to Darius, it echoed like thunder in the study.
He was alone now. The fire had died out minutes ago, but there was still a bit of warmth in the room, except in his heart. There, only coldness remained.
Darius walked slowly toward the mantle and stared up at the old portrait of Vale Lycannis… Alpha Vale Lycannis—his brother and his closest friend.
The picture hung quietly on the wall, and Vale's eyes were too similar to Emerald's for comfort.
"I know," he murmured, "she's becoming just like you."
He reached for the smaller frame resting on the shelf, an old photograph. He pulled the frame forward and slipped his fingers behind it. The photo was still there, folded and hidden in the back panel.
Darius slid it free and unfolded it slowly.
Two men stared back at him from the faded paper.
