It had been a grueling journey. The captured rogue, the one they hoped would provide answers, had been nothing but trouble. Derek had taken him to a secluded hideout, deep in the woods where there was no communication, ensuring their presence stayed off the grid. But it hadn’t gone as expected. Days passed with the rogue taunting them, refusing to reveal any information, as if he was more fearful of his own master than he was of Derek himself.

Inside the dimly lit room, Derek stood across ...