ANMELDENA King's PromiseRowan's POVThe council meeting lasted well into the evening, and I still stood near the window, saying little as Beta Garrick, Commander Selene, and Scholar Elias discussed patrol routes, supply lines, and border defenses.Maps covered almost every inch of the large table.Small carved wolf figures marked guard posts through the Northern Kingdom. One by one, Kael adjusted their positions."Double the watch at Frost Pass," he instructed. "Yes, Your Majesty," Selene replied."Garrick, increase patrols along the western ridge.""It will be done.""Elias."The young scholar looked up. "I want every record concerning the Hollow Fang brought to the royal archives before sunrise."Elias nodded. "I'll begin tonight." Only after every order had been given did Kael dismiss them."You may go."The three bowed. "As you command."The heavy doors closed behind them, leaving the library quiet once more.I let out a slow breath. "They listen to you."Kael looked up from the maps and
The Truth Hidden in Plain SightRowan's POVThe words refused to leave my mind, someone spent twenty-one years making sure you never discovered the truth.I sat back down slowly, my legs were too weak to hold me, and even the library went silent, except for the crackling of the fireplace.Kael still remained standing across the table, giving me time to think, but thinking only made everything worse."My parents..." I whispered.The words felt too strange, and were they even my parents? The thought alone filled me with guilt. No.Whatever they had done, they were still the wolves who had raised me, even if they had never truly loved me. I stood and rubbed my temples."If what you're saying is true...then why would anyone hide something like this?" Kael folded his hands behind his back."To protect you." I frowned. "By making me miserable?" His face remained calm. "Not necessarily.""Then explaint to me.""There are many ways to hide someone."He walked to one of the large windows overl
Questions Without AnswersRowan's POVI stood alone in the guest chamber long after Kael and Lady Miriam left. The room was so quiet that I could hear the fire crackling in the fireplace.Everything felt...unreal, the bed looked softer than anything I'd ever seen. And the curtains were woven from thick velvet, and the polished wooden floor reflected the golden light from the flames.I slowly set my duffel bag beside the bed, it looked painfully out of place. One worn bag, in a room fit for royalty. I ran my fingers over the rough fabric.It was all I had left of my old life, a soft knock interrupted my thoughts. Before I could answer, Lady Miriam stepped inside carrying a wooden tray."I hope I'm not disturbing you?" She asked I quickly shook my head. "No." She smiled and placed the tray on a small table.A bowl of warm soup, fresh bread and a roasted vegetables. A pot of herbal tea, and the delicious smell of it, filled the room. Only then did I realize how hungry I was."I wasn't su
The Northern KingdomRowan's POVThe journey north lasted through the rest of the night.No one says something, unless it is necessary. The four royal guards rode in perfect formation around us, their eyes constantly scanning the forest. Every now and then, one of them would disappear into the trees before returning several minutes later, scouts, making sure no one was following us.I pulled Kael's cloak tighter around myself.The cold wind stung my face, but the cloak kept most of it away. It was warmer than anything I'd ever owned.I almost felt guilty wearing it, the massive black stallion inside us never slowed, despite carrying both Kael and me, it moved effortlessly over rough trails and narrow mountain paths."You can sleep if you're tired," Kael said."I don't think I can." I replied."Why?" He asked.I looked ahead into the darkness, and answered. "I'm afraid I'll wake up and discover this was all a dream." His silence lingered for several seconds."It isn't." He assured aga
The King's InvitationRowan's POVThe words refused to leave my mind.“Your bloodline.”They echoed over and over until they drowned out everything else. I stared at Alpha King Kael Blackthorn, searching his face for some sign that he was joking, but there wasn't one.His face remained unreadable as he slipped the black metal emblem into the inside pocket of his coat."No," I whispered, taking an uncertain step back. "You've mistaken me for someone else."Kael didn't answer. "I've lived in Nightfang Pack my entire life, I'm just an Omega. My parents are ordinary wolves."My breathing became uneven. "I don't have some ancient bloodline." Kael finally looked at me. "That's what you've been told." His calm reply sent another chill through me."What does that mean?"Instead of answering, his silver eyes drifted back to the forest. "Their scent hasn't completely faded." I stiffened, the hunters."Will they return?" I asked."Not tonight." Some of the tension in my shoulders eased. "But oth
The Alpha KingRowan's POVThe darkness between the trees shifted. Then he stepped into the clearing. Everything around me changed. The air now felt heavier, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Even the river below the cliff sounded quieter.I had never seen this man before. Yet every instinct about him screamed danger.He was very tall, broad-shouldered and dressed in black. His face looked cold, enough to freeze the remaining blood in my veins. His silver eyes swept from the clearing. Merciless and I could see power rolled off him in waves. Not ordinary Alpha power, but something far greater. Something terrifying.For the first time since the hunt began, I understood why the wolves around me looked afraid. One of them took a shaky step backward."No..." He said. The Alpha King's eyes shifted to him. The hunter fell silent. The whole clearing plunged into absolute stillness. Then Kael Blackthorn spoke for the first time. His voice was too calm. Deadly calm."What exactly do yo







