Ronan landed in the center of the courtyard, the silvery light from the Moonstone fading around his silhouette.
Around him, total chaos had broken out. Francis was practically screaming obscenities at his commanders and guards for failing to stop Ronan's blitz.
"You fool!" Francis spat, glaring at Ronan with bloodshot eyes. "You think you've won something by dragging those pests away? You forgot whose hands your brothers' lives still lie in!"
Cesar stepped forward from behind Ronan, his hands raised in desperate supplication as he looked at the tyrant. "Father, please... stop this!"
Francis froze, staring at his son in disbelief.
"Why are you pushing it this far?!" Cesar begged, his voice trembling, not out of a desire to save his father from justice, but from the horrifying realization that Francis had lost his mind entirely. "The whole world saw what you did! The packs are turning on us! Stop this madness before there's nothing left of our family to save!"
