Chapter Fourteen

Alpha Damian’s POV

Lost in the torment of my own self-doubt, I followed the guard through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace. Each step carried the weight of my troubled thoughts, but the urgent matter at hand demanded my immediate attention. The unresolved issues with Marco lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of the fractured bond between us.

As we emerged into the palace courtyard, my steps faltered, and a heavy weight settled upon my chest. The scene that unfolded before me was one of stark contrast to the regal surroundings. Ten figures stood in disarray, their presence an embodiment of suffering and resilience. Their bodies bore the marks of a brutal ordeal, their skin marred with bruises and cuts. Tattered clothing clung to their worn frames, evidence of the treacherous journey they had undertaken.

The weariness etched upon their faces mirrored the depth of their torment. Lines of exhaustion etched deeply, and their eyes, once bright with hope, now held a glimmer of b