Daniel's POV
The loud crash from Alpha Julian's quarters sent me running down the hallway, my heart pounding against my ribcage. As his Beta, I was used to his volatile moods since Violet's death, but something felt different this time.
"Alpha?" I called, pounding on his door. No response.
I tried the handle—locked. Without hesitation, I broke it with a hard shoulder slam and burst inside.
The smell hit me first—whiskey and blood. Lots of blood.
"Luna's mercy," I whispered.
Julian lay crumpled on the balcony, his body twisted unnaturally. An empty whiskey bottle had shattered beside him. Blood trickled from his mouth, pooling on the stone beneath his face. His skin had a gray pallor that sent ice through my veins.
I rushed to his side, pressing fingers against his neck. His pulse fluttered weakly.
"Alpha Julian! Can you hear me?" I shook him gently, then harder when he didn't respond.
His eyelids flickered but didn't open. More blood bubbled from his lips.
