Perry's POV
Marco appeared, clutching his mate in his arms. Two Valerium warriors flanked him—the same cowards who had fled earlier, only to slink back when they spotted Marco with the queen.
Phoebe lay motionless in his grasp. Her chest rose and fell steadily, and that single fact was the only thing preventing me from losing all restraint. If anything happened to her, I'd have nothing left to hold back my fury.
I fixed my gaze on the beta, my eyes narrowing to slits. "So you're one of them."
Marco fought to steady himself. Going against a king wasn't simple—no matter the circumstances, he'd been bred to obey orders, especially from the supreme ruler.
Yet here he stood, defying me with everything he had. He refused to retreat.
"Keep your distance from him, King Perry," Marco commanded.
He halted his advance and assessed Maxwell's battered form.
