Novels by gaylene.lambson

CassianI detest training in human form. The scratchy, thick tunic beneath my armor barely holds its shape and does little to abate the chafing from the heavy metal plating. Swords and shields feel foreign in my arms, though I wield them with ease from years of training.I would much rather feel the grip of my teeth as they bear down on my enemy’s neck.But Phelan favors the old ways, a time when wolf shifters fought for—and won—control of all the lands. That was the time when wars meant lines of soldiers in glistening armor, their swords and shields falling with a clank against those of the enemy. It was a time when we fought as human as a nod to our past—when we were human.No one remembers the first child born with the ability to shift, nor does anyone remember how it occurred. Those days are lost in the mist of cold, ancient memories. Now, we train in human form because some of the elders think it makes us stronger.I beg to differ.Phelan approaches, his smile wide against the ta

LyraConfusion overwhelms me, and I don’t know what to do.My entire body erupted in warm, electric shivers when the Alpha King’s hand brushed against mine. That, and the way his gaze penetrated straight into my soul, had my heart thumping so hard I could almost hear it.Then, he ran out, as soon as his mother was in the hands of the doctor, which I suppose they call a healer here.I’m not sure how I managed to stand back out of the way, but I can barely feel my legs now the way those strange trembles are still rumbling through my body.There’s another feeling that I just don’t understand, the burning ache coiled around every nerve as he sprinted out the door. The sensation has calmed now, but only slightly, still lingering and causing my hands to quiver.Flexing my fingers at my sides, I try to quell the emotion and remember to breathe. More people hurry in, circling around the Queen Mother and ensuring her comfort.The maiden who had been serving refreshments all day, who like me ha

Cassian‘I smell it too.’Though I haven’t said a word, Turgan senses my thoughts and confirms my suspicions in a private mind-link. The foul scent of forest wolves grows stronger as we approach the outskirts of our boundaries.Assanan’s warriors have already breached the perimeter of our lands.And this means war.‘I’m beginning to think he and Cobour are working together,’ I tell my Beta. “The Mountain-King Alpha is pathetic. He would only be emboldened by such a partnership—’‘To make our warriors tire before Assanan’s attack,’ he finishes for me.‘Exactly.’ I test the air with my keen wolf’s sense, closing my eyes to focus on their numbers. ‘I have at least a hundred different wolf scents.’‘At least,’ he agrees. ‘What’s our move?’‘Triple the guards on this line,’ I tell him. ‘For now, let’s see if we can catch any of them on our side of the border and teach them a lesson.’‘Aye.’To the rest of our scout party, I add, ‘Kill any mountain or forest wolves encroaching on our territ

LyraSeveral minutes pass, and the woman hasn’t returned to help me fasten my dress. I sure don’t miss her company, but I feel the cool air on my bare back and hope the Queen Mother doesn’t walk in to see me like this.There’s a dressing area in the suite, so I figure I can at least do something with my hair in the meantime, sitting on the velvet bench in front of the vanity.I hardly recognize my reflection when I look up at the mirror. Though clean and wet, tufts of my hair stick up over balls of mats, and my heart sinks. It will take forever to comb these out.But I have to try. The alternative is having that cold-mannered woman come back and start ripping half of it out of the follicles.So, I find a brush in a drawer and start working on the ends, gently pulling as I work my way up. It’s a slow process, but it’s working.I catch sight of my eyes in the mirror. Blotches of bluish-purple form a half-circle underneath them, the skin hollowed out. The whites of my eyes are speckled w

LyraCally’s eyes keep flashing in my mind, exhausted, deflated… sick. The sound of her cough keeps echoing through my head. I’ve heard her erupt in fits of coughs so many times.But I trudge forward, the hands of the guards burning against me as they shove me every time I try to stop. In my weakened state, there’s nothing I can do to stop them.There may be nothing I can do even when and if I regain my full strength. These are wolves who can tear my head off in an instant.But I don’t believe they will do that as long as the king wants me. And since he has sent for me, that must be the case. My only hope is to beg for Cally’s release once I meet him face-to-face.Though the very idea of that terrifies me.The ache in my stomach grinds as we reach the top of the long, slanted hallway leading up to the castle, the one they forced me down when I arrived. How long ago was that? There’s no way to tell.Henry opens the top door, and powerful rays of sunlight strike me like a bullet, blindi

CassianI detest training in human form. The scratchy, thick tunic beneath my armor barely holds its shape and does little to abate the chafing from the heavy metal plating. Swords and shields feel foreign in my arms, though I wield them with ease from years of training.I would much rather feel the grip of my teeth as they bear down on my enemy’s neck.But Phelan favors the old ways, a time when wolf shifters fought for—and won—control of all the lands. That was the time when wars meant lines of soldiers in glistening armor, their swords and shields falling with a clank against those of the enemy. It was a time when we fought as human as a nod to our past—when we were human.No one remembers the first child born with the ability to shift, nor does anyone remember how it occurred. Those days are lost in the mist of cold, ancient memories. Now, we train in human form because some of the elders think it makes us stronger.I beg to differ.Phelan approaches, his smile wide against the ta