re

ise. Grey Stormborn stood atop the eastern wall of hi

chimneys. A few of the remaining hunters set out to the f

e, everything

cef

iv

y knew

years. In the families caring for relatives who had lost their human minds. In

eyes of his people. Hope was di

aves of the Ever

s thoughts as Marcus joined him atop the wa

he southern territory," M

accep

ression. Two deaths. No births. His expressi

day, I'm hoping yo

ng time," Grey muttered in a

norted. "F

an spoke for several moments. Both knew

cal event. For the Werewolf Kingdom, it was survival. Or p

gdom. Though hidden by hills and forests, he could al

chi

it

and

Ro

ways returned

cursed the Alpha bloodline and tied the fate of every werewolf to the Everlasting Fig Tree, panic spread throughout the kingdom. Th

The tree remained.

gic, the Moon Goddess sought

rth Go

ture itself. Flowers answered their call. With that, plants flourished beneath t

. Every Alpha King married a Rona. Ev

healthy. The curse

ver broken. Me

t. It was temporary. But

ng of Aurelia possessed many talents but mercy was not among them. Over t

were kidnapped. Some were

longed

Ronas in fertilizing their own lands. Kings competed for powerful Ronas. Princes bankrupted kingdoms for them. Merchants paid fortunes simply to possess one. Some bid Ronas only to acquire

d their value. And Valir e

ersonally crafted by Valir's court sorcerers

r who married them. No matter how desp

ir controlled the future generation of Rona

ono

illiant.

ted him

l playing by Valir's rules. Still begging for a cha

stone wall. "You don't have to look like y

ideways. "It f

t usually considere

uched Grey's lips. "

s lau

did

't simply about acquiring a Rona. The Elder Council expected him to marry her, produce

e. Love

tle to him now. Perhaps

remembered his father. Not the king. Not the warrior. Not the Alpha.

him. Then hated him. Because grief transformed

owa

ery council meeting. Every crisis. Every responsibility. He abandoned

beside her grave, Grey had

ve destroyed an

n-year-old boy to shoulder resp

e mattered more

wer was

elfis

wed love as a disease. A

d the price. Grey would not make the same mistake. Which was w

ng more. The arrangement would remain practical. Professional.

ther ruler willing to sacrifice ever

im again," Marcus's voic

it. The Beta kn

ay

father wasn't weak becau

He abandoned us bec

ot the sa

is t

rsation e

ntinue. Some wounds rema

nded from below. It wa

ened. "Our esco

nod

d bustled with activity. Twenty warriors waited beside mounted horses.

alir's capital sat far beyond werewolf terri

ers approached. Elder Rowan carried

Maje

d the urge t

auc

kno

t secure

Grey's jaw

nnot survive

kno

ke more carefully. "Preferabl

early

hough he possessed unlimited wealth. As t

rongest Rona. That was

le

re

hoed across

rey kn

lowers. Entire gardens transformed into masterpieces beneath her touch.

s Serena. The

ous. Equall

s supposedly blo

ering. Nev

onas. Both women would undoubtedly attract absurd b

s treasury struggled to repair roads. Not when vil

o

althier kingdoms. Grey intended to

na. Nothing

sustain the Ever

was

n. He didn't need love.

forever. The arrangement was temporary. A delay. If he could keep the tree ali

eak the cur

o more kingdoms buying women like lives

. For e

he future

buy him time. Nothin

lder Rowan appear

conds had passed. "I'll

ibly relaxed.

he convers

oward the elder. The gates opened and cold morning air

d. Others waved. Children smiled hopefully. Grey acknowledged them all with a

save them. He wasn't

owly disappear

ours passed. Then days. Each mile carried him farth

loser to the auction. Closer

ide a river. Most warriors relaxed around the

wondered what s

t need cla

Rona. His f

N

even

rey sai

. "You're going to marry

om," Grey growled, definite

Marcus didn't back

" His voice emerged colder than in

The other implied duty. And G

ly chose no

f wondering whether the woman he eventually purchased was looking at the same sky. Whether she dreaded the au

atter. None o

nger. A necessity.

ing

xplain, unease lingered long

e everything h

o longer belonge

lace, fate was already preparing