The Alpha's Plump Mistake
I staggered backward, drained to the very marrow, and before I could fall, Lawrence caught me in his arms—lifting me effortlessly against the warm, bare breadth of his chest, his own wounds knitting shut beneath his skin as our magic met and mingled.
Two hundred thousand warriors fell to their knees upon the cliffs and sands. Far out on the horizon, the golden banners of three hundred war galleons dipped in unison, slowly replaced by pure white flags of unqualified surrender. Captains and admirals bowed from their decks, acknowledging what every soul already knew: there was only one true Empress of Both Worlds.
From the front line, Kael raised his sword toward the heavens—and his shout tore