NIKOLAI

I hadn't slept well, and the distant bell tolling in the back of my head didn't make it any easier.

It WAS in the back of my head was it not? I snapped to sit up on the bed, feeling the sleep clear from my eyes immediately as my heart rate picked up.

“What the f-” I growled, scarcely getting the words past my lips before the sound of feet slapping on the tiles outside my chamber had me rushing to stand.

“Who’s there?” I summoned in my Alpha voice and the huge gold double doors burst open immediately to reveal the royal scribe’s white countenance.

“Mamood?”

“Y-Your Highness...