Page 112 of The Hyena’s Guardian

Matt’s stomach turned. “His corruption runs through the entire mountain,” he said.

Theron nodded once.

Another pulse rolled upward beneath the floor.

The breathing grew louder.

Then a voice broke free of the whispers. It struck directly inside Matt’s head, distinct and terrifyingly aware.

Bring him to me.

Pain exploded behind Matt’s eyes. He staggered hard enough that Theron caught him before he struck the stone.

“Matt.”

The voice thundered through him again.

Royal blood.

Matt felt the bond surge violently between them, and Theron stiffened at the exact same moment.

The throne shifted. Every chain surrounding it snapped taut with a deafening metallic scream.

***

Matt forced himself upright despite the lingering pain behind his eyes.

Theron’s hand remained locked around his arm, steadying him before he could lose balance near the edge of the abyss.

“Talk to me,”

Matt rubbed hard across his face before looking back toward the throne suspended over the darkness below. “Your ancient nightmare king is officially inside my head now.”

The words left his mouth before he fully thought them through. Silence followed. Not confusion. Recognition.

Matt felt it move through the chamber in the way several wolves went still at once. Vale’s eyes narrowed. Baptiste looked toward Theron without surprise.

And Theron himself stopped breathing for half a second.

Matt looked between them. “Wait.”

Nobody answered.

The bond tightened sharply enough that Matt felt Theron’s pulse jump through the hand still gripping his arm.

Then the pieces finally came together in Matt’s head. Theron had never hidden his descent from the First King, but Matt had assumed centuries had reduced that connection to history and diluted blood. The throne was not reacting to Theron as one descendant among many. It recognized him as the surviving continuation of the line itself.

Matt stared at him as the realization settled heavily into place. “You’re not just descended from him.”

Theron’s expression closed instantly.

“You’re his last direct heir.”

Another pulse rolled upward beneath the floor. The chamber seemed to hold its breath around them.

Vale finally broke the silence. “Theron—”

“I know what I am,” Theron said sharply.