“May the Moon Goddess bless and keep you,” Aylin says. “And may we all raise our voices in honor of Alpha King Kieran Solberg and Luna Queen Raven Blake of Dun’s Crossing!”Howls split the air just as easily as a grin splits my face. I kiss my wife.With the ceremony over, we leave the throne room f
RavenI press kisses along Kieran’s neck as he carries me through the palace I felt so alone in for so long. Now, not only am I its queen, but there’s no shame in my husband dragging me out of a party after announcing he needs to fuck me. I feel beautiful and wanted for the very first time within th
KieranI sit at my desk in my study, poring over a new trade agreement the representative from Snowcrest Canyon, Floyd, delivered yesterday. So far, being king has included far less heroic resolution of my father’s sins and far more approving announcements of his fall that include apologies and offe
AnwenI stand in the open gate as the milky white Haze silvers with the rising moon. Not everyone finds their mate during their first Haze. I keep reminding myself of that.This is my first time in public since Father’s death, other than mandatory political appearances. I can’t believe my siblings a
EstrellaThe morning after the Haze in Dun’s Crossing, my body aches deliciously. The scent of my mate fills the tent–cool mint and that brown liquor they served at dinner here. After months of running out into the Haze back home, panting and wanting and finding no one, I am finally sated. I can fee
“Don’t speak about him like that.” Anwen takes a step forward, mere inches from me. “In fact, don’t speak about him at all.”My hurt and confusion starts to fade, and the pride my parents taught me surges in its place. I am the crown princess of Sundrop Gem. Our pack cares nothing for gender in our
AnwenAfter Estrella leaves, I abandon the morning-after clothes and shift. If the bell’s already ringing, I’m fucked for time, so I’ll be better off seeming like I stayed out all night and asking the gate guards for something to wear. I take a breath and start running. Today, even my wolf can’t sto
I force my gaze to Prince Castor next. He wears a broad-shouldered tunic like his father but in more sedate colors, jewel tones instead of brights. No crown, no obvious marker of status beyond his ramrod-straight bearing. But his bow is awkward. He’s not used to being paraded around. Least-loved sec
When he brings a hand up to tease my other nipple, I remember I can actually move my arms. One hand, I thread instantly into his hair and tug. The vibrations of his grumble ripple through me. The other, I slip down his back, nails out, scratching red lines I can’t see. I need to mark him as much as
CandaceI trail after Hollis through the dark halls of the castle, my heart pounding. If Finn didn’t talk to me after the meeting, I would’ve let Hollis whisk me on whatever adventure he had planned for today. I never would’ve heard the story about his mother—and he wouldn’t have told it. Judging by
“Long story short, I pitched a fit.” I shake my head. “She finally told the painter she’d sit with me in the room, or not at all.”Candace giggles. “Don’t tell me that’s when you gained your taste for paint thinner.”“No, but I did eat a fistful of blue paint I’ve never seen come back out.” I stare
HollisI take a full step back from Candace before my brain catches up with my body. We were supposed to go try to get some of the staff on our side today—and if the idea appealed, maybe have a private lunch in the kitchen, without all the pressure of a formal meal. Talking about Mother is… not exac
Maybe I don’t have to. Hollis and I made it into town the other day, and it’s really not far from the castle. If Kieran paid for my accommodation in an inn there, that might go some way toward easing the tension. Maybe mine and Kash’s. He’s still enjoying the palace far more than he has any right to
Candace“King Andri has refused my latest meeting request,” Kieran says.Taner groans. Finn rolls his eyes. Ingrid cracks her knuckles and glares at the portrait of the king that hangs over the small sitting room they’ve been granted to use for their meetings.I scratch a line through the bottom ent
Open the east gate, I call through the mind-link to the soldiers that should be on guard there at this time.They do as they’re told, and metal whines in the distance. Candace pricks an ear then picks up speed. Fuck. I can’t explain to her that’s just my orders being followed. She doesn’t even know
HollisMy first plan didn’t work out. Hell, I haven’t seen paw nor tail of Kash since that disastrous conversation with him. I have no idea why it went to shit. It really seemed like we were onto something, like Candace was about to unearth some big secret… and then he just shut down.I roll out my
Kash frowns. “Then how’d she find out? See a mark?”“In effect.” Hollis stares at the rocky floor.“He’s softening it.” I bite my lip. “We didn’t not pursue as much as we intended to, and she caught us. We made a terrible, selfish mistake that’s caused a lot of problems, and we just want to fix them