“You don’t mean Rodyn told you where he was going, but you didn’t tell me,” Emory saidTaking a deep breath, Kain met Emory’s gaze. “He didn’t want you to know where he was going, Emory,” Kain admitted. “I gave him my word, and I couldn’t go back on it. I only do it now because the stakes are high.”She struggled to accept his excuse for withholding the truth, even though she understood it. She regretted not pressing him for the truth before. Instead of demanding answers about Rodyn’s whereabouts, she was distracted by her desire for Kain.Now that the situation was urgent, she was even more frustrated with Rodyn. After they talked about him not letting her in, he went and did this? It made her feel coddled, which made her even more frustrated.“Where is he?” Emory murmured quietly.“It’ll be alright,” Kinshra said calmly, stepping closer. “I know you worry about Rodyn, but you have to understand where Kain’s coming from. We have to get to Rodyn right away.”She walked away from her a
Her lips thinned into a tight line, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at Aworyn.She understood the goddess’s intention—to provoke her, push her limits, and unsettle her resolve. But she wasn’t going to let Aworyn’s manipulations get to her.“I am not here to engage in a battle of egos, Aworyn,” Emory continued. “I won’t play your games. Whatever is left to settle between you and me, and Rodyn, we will do it today. Now stop acting like a child and get down here!”Aworyn descended, her beautiful green eyes flashing with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? I am divine, an immortal force! You are nothing compared to my power!”“Unless power is solely based on immortality or divine status, you’re a complete fraud!” Emory retorted.Aworyn’s face contorted with rage as she raised her hand, preparing to unleash her wrath. But before she could act, Emory’s own powers surged forth, forming a protective barrier around her. Keeping her eyes on Aworyn, Emory could only sneak a quick pee
Kain watched Rahl’s commander along with a few Lycans lead the Chavére Alpha in. Crixus was a tall man with a heavy beard and broad shoulders, dressed in matching black uniforms as the Lycan guards. As the Chavére Alpha entered, he bowed slightly to the Lycan King, but his eyes betrayed a subtle disdain. “I’d like a moment with Emory, King Rahl,” the Chavére Alpha requested. Standing back, Kain watched Rahl settle into a black throne that hadn’t been there before. It appeared to be made of pure shadows shifting and curling around his form like a living creature. Looking closely at it, he noticed the mandalas absorbing the surrounding light and pulsing like stars. Taking in this extraordinary sight, Kain realized that Rahl’s power was far greater than he had ever imagined. In his peripheral vision, he caught Kinshra rounding the corner to meet her nephew. They had such striking green eyes, reminding him of Emory. While the Chavére Alpha shared Emory’s deep ebony skin, his eyes we
The age of the Lycans began with a great war between the gods and dragons. For aeons, they fought and no one knew how it started or why. All anyone remembered was that it had given rise to the ancient race of warriors called Lycans. The gods were losing, and they knew it. They grew desperate, and Aworyn—the goddess of the moon—created her children from the remains of a falling star. They were born with a special connection to the world and were the fierce warriors the gods wanted them to be. Before the dragons vanished into the void, a truce was reached for self-preservation. A truce that would last until one of them produced a descendant whose blood was evenly split between them: half god and half dragon. A descendant powerful enough to end the war—and it would be their only chance of peace and survival. After the prophecy of the truce was made, both sides dispersed. Aworyn left humanity and the Empire of Morrian to the first, noble line of Lycans. The Lycans forged an unbreakab
Emory Chavére looked up from her phone in the back seat of the cab and gazed at the towering Chavére packhouse. Guests were streaming into the compound from every direction.It was hard not to feel nostalgic for the life she was leaving behind in Broiia only to return home for her brother’s funeral.Home.Kedar hadn’t been home in such a long time. Not since her brothers sent her to Broiia after their parents were murdered to be raised by an aunt she barely knew. Her parents and brothers had built this compound with their bare hands while she ran around like a crazy pup, but it was no longer home.Unlike when it was built, the pack house was now bigger, newer, and much more luxurious, and she was the stranger now.Trey, the oldest Chavére and Alpha of Kedar, always argued that the war hadn’t ended and wouldn’t let her return. The news of Nolan’s death two years ago snuffed out Emory’s desire to return to Kedar. Now Larc was dead, too: slashed by a Lycian sentinel two weeks ago.They w
With her gaze fixed on Rodyn, she struggled to maintain her composure as her heart pounded against the memories of their last encounter. It was the night before she left for Broiia. She was fourteen; Rodyn seventeen– and they both planned to visit Eleadoí–the capital–in the fall. Their relationship was never meant to be: Emory knew Rodyn would never be her mate even without needing to tap into her wolf — she had never felt that spark ignite with him. They had both been through certain life-altering changes in the last few months leading up to that day and they both knew they didn’t belong together. But their chemistry kept drawing them back to each other. He was hot, exciting — and completely wrong for her. The morning after she left Krelon, it still didn’t feel real. Rodyn was impossible to keep track of, and not just because Aunt Kinshra wouldn’t let her. Five years ago, Rodyn vanished from the map of the Empire of Morrian, and rumours spread that he had gone rogue. “Rodyn we ta
The whole night, Emory ran, keeping enough distance between her and whoever Trey would send after her. Next up, she had to figure out where she was and what to do.She wasn’t going back to Broiia or Kedar. Being a Chavére, and a member of one of the last two packs that hadn’t submitted to the Empire of Morrian, she couldn’t go anywhere. The wastelands weren’t safe either since the Lycans lurked there. Living in Broiia, a pack south of the Empire, they never had to worry about encountering Lycan sentinels because they would have to pass through Kedar to get to them.Her only other choice was the Rolan pack.Then she laughed at herself. It made no sense for her to leave Kedar just to go to Rodyn’s pack for shelter.Emory hissed as she wiped the sweat off her brow.Standing on the riverbank, her hands on her waist, she looked around, unsure of where she was. She spent most of her life in Broiia, and this mindless decision to run might just have been her best move: she never got a chance
Emory noticed the sun rising when she looked up, realizing they had run nearly five miles. It was remarkable that only her aunt was able to hold off so many Lycans. The hard part now was getting aunt Kinshra back: she’d been right when she told her she not to leave Broiia.Once they reached Kedar’s crossing, the wolves slowed to a halt, circled around her, and then sprinted back in the direction they had come. While she watched them descend the slope, Emory took a moment to catch her breath: hands on her hips.From here, she could find her own way back to Broiia, but now she had to decide whether to go back for her aunt or return to Broiia. It would be easier for her if she could shift and not have to worry about that fucking Hendrick mind controlling her.Her aunt would be furious at her for even thinking about going back, but she had to. The only choices she had were to either seek help from Trey at the Chavere compound or enlist the help of her Br
Kain watched Rahl’s commander along with a few Lycans lead the Chavére Alpha in. Crixus was a tall man with a heavy beard and broad shoulders, dressed in matching black uniforms as the Lycan guards. As the Chavére Alpha entered, he bowed slightly to the Lycan King, but his eyes betrayed a subtle disdain. “I’d like a moment with Emory, King Rahl,” the Chavére Alpha requested. Standing back, Kain watched Rahl settle into a black throne that hadn’t been there before. It appeared to be made of pure shadows shifting and curling around his form like a living creature. Looking closely at it, he noticed the mandalas absorbing the surrounding light and pulsing like stars. Taking in this extraordinary sight, Kain realized that Rahl’s power was far greater than he had ever imagined. In his peripheral vision, he caught Kinshra rounding the corner to meet her nephew. They had such striking green eyes, reminding him of Emory. While the Chavére Alpha shared Emory’s deep ebony skin, his eyes we
Her lips thinned into a tight line, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at Aworyn.She understood the goddess’s intention—to provoke her, push her limits, and unsettle her resolve. But she wasn’t going to let Aworyn’s manipulations get to her.“I am not here to engage in a battle of egos, Aworyn,” Emory continued. “I won’t play your games. Whatever is left to settle between you and me, and Rodyn, we will do it today. Now stop acting like a child and get down here!”Aworyn descended, her beautiful green eyes flashing with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? I am divine, an immortal force! You are nothing compared to my power!”“Unless power is solely based on immortality or divine status, you’re a complete fraud!” Emory retorted.Aworyn’s face contorted with rage as she raised her hand, preparing to unleash her wrath. But before she could act, Emory’s own powers surged forth, forming a protective barrier around her. Keeping her eyes on Aworyn, Emory could only sneak a quick pee
“You don’t mean Rodyn told you where he was going, but you didn’t tell me,” Emory saidTaking a deep breath, Kain met Emory’s gaze. “He didn’t want you to know where he was going, Emory,” Kain admitted. “I gave him my word, and I couldn’t go back on it. I only do it now because the stakes are high.”She struggled to accept his excuse for withholding the truth, even though she understood it. She regretted not pressing him for the truth before. Instead of demanding answers about Rodyn’s whereabouts, she was distracted by her desire for Kain.Now that the situation was urgent, she was even more frustrated with Rodyn. After they talked about him not letting her in, he went and did this? It made her feel coddled, which made her even more frustrated.“Where is he?” Emory murmured quietly.“It’ll be alright,” Kinshra said calmly, stepping closer. “I know you worry about Rodyn, but you have to understand where Kain’s coming from. We have to get to Rodyn right away.”She walked away from her a
Emory’s gaze met Kain’s as he settled into the bench adjacent to them.“I felt the disturbance. Are you alright?” he asked her.“I’m fine, Kain,” she said, looking at Rahl.The look in Rahl’s eyes was hostile. “I don’t know how things work where you’re from, but jumping on the king’s carriage like that is monumentally idiotic and disrespectful.”“My apologies for the intrusion. I couldn’t ignore the unstable surge of energy coming from Emory. I had to make sure she was safe.”“She’ll always be safe with me. You have no right to interfere!”Despite the way he was glaring at Rahl, Kain’s voice remained calm. “I understand your concern. But she’s my mate, and I can’t ignore her distress.”Rahl sighed loudly. “I only want good things for you, Emory. But I need some time to process all of this.”“I’m not trying to usurp your place, Rahl. She needs help navigating the intricacies of our bonds.”“I barely have a place with her,” Rahl said.Their back and forth didn’t interest her. Her only c
“From this day forward, you are Keeper of the Realms.”She watched as he put the crown on her head and stepped back with a bow before they all disappeared. Emory squeezed her eyes shut, her head throbbing from an unpleasant sensation.Are you alright?Rahl’s voice echoed through her mind and dispelled the unease within a split second. Nodding, she looked at him, fascinated by his ability to calm her heart no matter where she was.Is this over? I need to discuss something with you.He immediately got up and walked to her. After he helped her off the throne, he gave the council and officials a head bob that made them spread out.“The monarch and queen of the mighty Empire of Morrian will now lead the procession around Eleadoi,” the officiant announced, and the hall rose.At the bottom of the stairs, Crixus and his men lined up beside Sabine and the red flock; their attire matched Rahl’s. On their way down the aisle, Emory couldn’t help but glance at Rahl.As Rahl moved, the cream fabric
Kain’s lips pressed against Emory’s neck, sending shivers up her spine. She leaned into his touch, her senses awakening to their electrifying connection. His gentle, passionate kisses stirred desire deep within her, igniting a flame that burned with intensity. Emory let out a deep sigh as Kain’s lips trailed down her collarbone, her breathing becoming more laboured with every passing second.His hands slipped under her robe to explore the contours of her body. They glided along her curves, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Her breath quickened, her heart beating hard against her chest as she succumbed to the intoxicating sensations that invaded her.While they savoured the moment, soaking up the bliss of their intimate embrace, the world faded into the background.Emory’s fingers tangled in Kain’s hair, pulling him closer, craving more of his touch. Their lips finally met in a fiery kiss, their desires colliding in a passionate exchange. Kain’s calloused hands caressed her back,
Emory quickly turned off the shower and reached for a towel, wrapping it tightly around herself before stepping out. Aworyn stood in the corner of the bathroom, her tall, angelic figure spellbinding in the tiny space. Those green eyes stared into Emory’s. Although she couldn’t help but be enamoured by Aworyn’s beauty, Emory snapped out of her reverie quickly. “What do you want?” she asked in an icy tone. She stepped forward. “I know you have a lot of questions, doubts, and possibly even anger towards me. But please hear me out. There are things you need to know.” Emory’s grip on the towel tightened as conflicting emotions surged within her. A part of her yearned for answers, for closure about the mysteries surrounding her life. But a part of her, still haunted by past betrayals, wanted her to punish Aworyn. Aworyn had blocked out memories starting on her sixteenth birthday, and even though they were returned she couldn’t make sense of some of them. Aworyn’s plans had been in motio
Emory’s heart raced when his lips touched hers; they were fierce and demanding. It was impossible not to respond, her desire growing stronger with every passing minute. But she knew they had to focus on the many things at hand, even as she lost herself in the moment. She pulled away, her breathing ragged. “Wait,” she said. “We have a lot to do.” His expression was serious as he looked at her. “I know,” he said. “But if we’re being honest, this is top of the list.” Taking a cautious step away from him, she licked her lips and eyed him. “Rahl.” “Lady Chavére,” he said with a smile and stepped forward after her. “I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?” “We both know you know the answer to that.” Emory eyed him, then turned towards the stairwell as she sensed Sabine closing in. Rahl followed her gaze, watching until Sabine came into view at the top of the stairs. Gasping, she bolted down to them. Sabine held her shoulders and looked at her. “Are you okay?” she asked. “I’m ok.”
“There's no way you weren’t trained by Kinshra.”Her mind jumped back to the present when Rahl said that. He should be with the council, not here.“What?” Her arm throbbed in pain, and her thoughts were jumbled, making it difficult to concentrate. “What are you doing back here?” she asked, an edge of suspicion in her voice.“I couldn’t leave you here. Especially after Kathleen summoned the king’s warriors. I had to make sure she didn’t do anything foolish.”“Oh.” She groaned.“You didn’t answer me,” he said. “It’s hard to believe someone with your skills wasn’t trained by Kinshra. Was that a lie to stop the tournament?”A sharp pain shot through her shoulder as she shook her head. “No, it’s not a lie,” she said, her voice strained. “Kinshra never trained me.”His eyes narrowed. &ld