94

XAVIER

I stood in my chamber, surrounded by the rogues who had once trembled beneath Derek's rule. Their eyes now burned with a hunger for revenge- a reason they didn’t think back on coming to me- and I knew I had them right where I wanted.

"Derek's reign ends soon. The throne will be ours." I declared to everyone around.

Marcellus, my father, nodded in approval beside me while Vivian, my mother, smiled sweetly, her eyes gleaming at our discussion.

The rogues murmured among themselves, their faces twisted with a kind of anticipation and I immediately knew they'd do anything to see Derek fall.

As I scanned the room, my gaze fell on Victor, the rogue leader. His scarred face and cold eyes made him the perfect ally.

"Victor, are your men prepared?" I asked.

"We are infiltrating the castle guards. Derek's security will be breached. Soon…" He nodded.

I smiled, satisfaction coursing through my veins. This was it – the moment we'd been planning for months.

My father stepped forward, and