Bruce adjusted the collar of his uniform as he made his way up the marble steps of the palace. The summons had come early that morning, delivered with a seal that bore the king’s crest, and it hadn’t left much room for delay.

His father could have just passed whatever message he wanted to with the pack link to him or a phone call, but he sent four guards to his house instead, to pick him up even in his uniform and that made him worried.

Bruce climbed the wide steps of the palace, his boots ...