“You are the Lycan King.” Evelyn backed away from the man whose shirt she was still wearing. Cassian Thorne had taken the crown at twenty-two, crushed three rebellions, and executed Alphas who challenged him. Lucian called him a beast wearing a man’s face. The beast had spent the night asking before every touch. That contradiction frightened Evelyn more than any story.
Cassian did not apologize. “I crossed Moonclaw’s border hunting stolen royal wolfsbane. The trail led to Lucian’s physician—and to enough poison on your skin to bury a mate bond for years.” He reached for the silver crown at her collarbone, then stopped before touching it. “Last night did not create this mark. It broke the first lock.”
“Are you saying I am your mate?” Evelyn demanded. Silver flashed through his eyes. “My beast recognized you.” He stepped close, power pressing against her from every side, but his hands remained at his sides. “Recognition is not ownership. The Moon Goddess does not get to take your choice from you, and neither do I.” The answer landed where Lucian’s cruelty had left an open wound. Before Evelyn could respond, the window shattered.
A Moonclaw arrow buried itself in the wall beside her head. Cassian covered her with his body as six wolves crashed into the lodge yard. He shoved a dagger into her hand and vaulted through the broken window. By the time Evelyn reached the stairs, two attackers were down and Cassian was fighting the others in human form, brutally fast and terrifyingly controlled.
A rogue raised a silver-tipped spear behind him. Evelyn shouted, but Cassian turned too late. Power ripped through the crown on her chest. Silver flame exploded from her palms and melted the spear in midair. Every shifted wolf slammed to the ground. One attacker tore off his mask. Evelyn recognized Dain, a scout who had eaten at her clinic table. “The Blood Moon heir is awake,” he whispered. An arrow from the trees pierced his throat before he could say more.
Cassian caught him as he fell. “Who sent you?” Dain’s dying eyes found Evelyn. “Lucian knows the seal is broken. He will use the boy.” Evelyn was already running for the stable. Cassian caught her around the waist. “Blackpine is two days away.” “Then stop wasting time.” For one dangerous second king and healer stared each other down. Cassian released her and ordered every royal guard to ride.
They reached the ridge above Blackpine at dusk. Smoke rolled from the watchtower. A prisoner knelt inside the gate with a sack over his head, wearing Noah’s green training coat. Lucian stood behind Evelyn’s brother with a silver blade against his throat. He looked directly toward the hidden ridge and smiled.
A messenger hawk landed at Evelyn’s feet with a strip of her white wedding silk tied to its leg. Seven words had been written across it in fresh blood: COME HOME, OR YOUR BROTHER LOSES HIS HEAD.