scene unfolding beneath him-rogue wolves, filthy and desperate, circling their prey. A girl, frail and clearly helpless, was surrounded by

the weak were picked off by rogues, and only the strong survived. He had no interest in sa

ed to move on, something un

se he

t the unexpected connection. It had been years since he last heard a voice like this in his mind. After his family was massacred in a raid, he h

e... h

he had long buried. Lucien clenched his jaw, anger rising as the voice continued to echo, refusing

tly. The rogues were too focused on their prey to notice him. The girl, now

toward the girl, but Lucien was faster. In one swift motion, he grabbed the wolf by its throat and snapp

ttered with the bodies of the rogues, their blood staining the earth. He stood over their life

s piercing eyes scanning her trembling form. She was covered in dirt and bruises, her cloth

tial disinterest. The pull of a bond he hadn't expected to feel. Luci

as hi

ose to her. But he hadn't realized it during the fight-his mind had been too focused

on goddess had chosen *her* for him? This frail, powerless girl? He ha

nd yanking her to her feet. She gasped in pain, her hands insti

and nearly fall as he pulled her along. He didn't care about her tears or her cries for mercy. The

es from his guards and servants. His focus was solely on her, on the questions racing through his min

e landed hard, gasping for breath as the pain coursed through her body. For a l

. His emotions were in turmoil, but he wouldn't

s voice low and dangerous.

ing from both fear and exhaustion. "I-I don't know," she st

a step closer, looming over her

cracking. "I was scared, and I just-I didn't

now whether to believe her, but the bond between them was unmistakable now. As much as he hat

stronger. Rachel's breath caught as her eyes met Lucien's, the connection hitting her l

oddess had chosen her for him, and despite his misgivings, he had to respect that.

powerful mate, someone worthy of his title. But instead, he had been given her-weak, h

ce quieter now, though still edged with frustration.

expected rejection, cruelty. But instead, he w

in here. You're too weak to survive on your own, and until

ight of the bond between them, and even though he was angry, she sensed a glim

e this, but one thing was clear: he couldn't ignore the bond. The moon