Nothing to Lose

*Maddy*

King Isaac stands before a window overlooking the castle grounds. The treeline is lush with heavy reddish green buds, the first inklings of spring foliage. I find myself gazing past him and out the window as I wait for him to turn around and explain why I’m here, in his office.

Just beyond the garden is the foreboding wall that encloses the castle grounds, and beyond that?

Miles and miles of untouched wilderness. I’d run toward that wall once, hoping to find freedom on the other side.

“Have you ever felt the mate bond with anyone?”

I jerk in surprise at the question and turn my attention to the king. He isn’t looking at me, his focus still locked on the world beyond the window.

“No, I haven’t.” I swallow back the bite in my voice. Last night, he said he hadn’t sensed a wolf in me, so why would he assume I’d found my mate?

“Do you have anyone–a brother, or father–who would lay claim to you after what transpired with the kidnappers?”

“N-no.”

His shoulders are rigid with t