PROLOGUE

The Palace of the Sea Moon

King Rykerr was the powerful Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack and the ruler of the Sea Moon territory. His name was known far and wide. People spoke of his unmatched strength, his commanding presence, and the way he led his pack with firm authority. But there was a secret that only a few knew, a dangerous truth that returned every year.

Once each year, King Rykerr entered a state called the “Inferno.” It was a wild, uncontrollable storm of desire and need. During this time, he lost control of himself. His body burned with an intense hunger that no single woman could satisfy. It was not just physical; it was primal, overwhelming, and dangerous. If left unchecked, the Inferno could consume him entirely.

To protect both the king and the kingdom, the elders of the pack devised a plan. Every year, they would select ten of the most beautiful and desirable women from the land. These women were brought to the palace to help calm the king during his Inferno. It was a tradition that many found cruel, but it was the only known way to keep the king from losing himself completely.

King Rykerr had refused to take a queen. He believed in the legend of the “fated mate” , the one woman chosen for him by the Moon Goddess. Until he found her, he would not bind himself to anyone. And so, the tradition continued year after year.

Families with wealth and influence often paid large sums to have their daughters chosen. For many, it was a chance to gain favor, power, or prestige. Some women saw it as an opportunity for a better life. Others dreamed of capturing the king’s heart.

Among these women was Shanye, the only daughter of a woman named Micah. Shanye was different from the others. She did not seek power or riches. Her dream was simple yet profound: she wanted to be the one who truly touched the king’s heart. For years, she had imagined herself as his queen, his partner, his fated mate.

This year, her dream seemed within reach.

Shanye was chosen.

She sat alone in a luxurious guest chamber within the palace. The room was adorned with silk drapes, golden accents, and the soft glow of candlelight. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and sweet oils. Despite the beauty around her, Shanye's heart pounded with a mix of excitement and fear.

The silence was broken by a knock at the door. A tall guard entered, his expression neutral.

“Shanye?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice steady despite the tremble in her hands.

“The king will see you now. Please follow me.”

Shanye rose, smoothing her dress as she followed the guard through the grand halls of the palace. The marble floors gleamed under the soft light, and the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the history of the Moon Crest Pack. As they walked, Shanye's thoughts raced. Was this the moment she had been waiting for? Could she truly be the one to calm the king's Inferno?

They arrived at a set of large, ornate doors.

“This is as far as I go,” the guard said. “Good luck.”

Shanye took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the king's private chamber.

The room was vast, with high ceilings and large windows that allowed the moonlight to pour in. The scent of cedarwood and earth filled the air, grounding and intoxicating. At the center of the room stood King Rykerr.

He was draped in a white silk robe that barely concealed his muscular frame. His dark eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intense hunger. A slow, confident smile spread across his face.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, his deep voice resonating through the room. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Shanye lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then show me,” he commanded, his tone both commanding and seductive. “Let me see you.”

With trembling hands, Shanye let her robe fall to the floor. She stood before him, vulnerable yet resolute. The king's gaze roamed over her, and then he discarded his own robe, stepping toward her like a predator closing in on its prey.

What followed was a night of intense passion. The king's touch was fire, his need insatiable. Shanye gave herself to him completely, matching his fervor with her own. She felt a connection, a bond that went beyond the physical. It was as if their souls recognized each other.

Unlike the other women before her, Shanye was not sent away after one night. King Rykerr kept her close, returning to her bed night after night. He fed her, spoke with her, and held her in his arms. It was as if she alone could calm the storm within him.

Whispers spread through the palace. The king had dismissed the other nine women, sending them away without a second glance. Jealousy and curiosity filled the air, but the truth was clear: Rykerr had found something in Shanye that he had never found in anyone else.

For ten days, they were inseparable. Their bond grew stronger, their desire deeper. Shanye began to believe that she was indeed his fated mate, the one chosen by the Moon Goddess.

On the tenth day, as they lay together in the quiet of the king's chamber, Shanye decided to share her thoughts.

“My name is Shanye,” she said softly, her head resting on his chest. “Daughter of Micah.”

King Rykerr's body tensed beneath her. He sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with shock.

“Micah… from the eastern Sea Moon?” he asked, his voice strained.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Shanye replied, a hint of pride in her voice. “There is no other like her.”

His heartbeat stopped. He stood, turning away from her.

“I, King Rykerr, Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack and ruler of the Sea Moon, reject you, Shanye, daughter of Micah, as my mate,” he declared, his voice cold and final.

Shanye's heart shattered. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She stood, gathering her robe.

“From this day forward,” the king continued, “you are banished from my palace. I never want to see you again.”

Without a word, Shanye turned and walked away, leaving behind the man who had consumed her heart and body.

As the doors closed behind her, King Rykerr clenched his fists, his wolf howling in agony. This rejection would haunt him forever. But some secrets ran deeper than desire, and some wounds could never be healed