LOGINAARONNEThe flower in my hand is down to its last few petals. I pluck one gently, whispering to myself."He loves me."Another petal falls. "He loves me not."I smile so silly and giddy. I can't believe this is me. I am obsessing over the person I met in the cove. My heart is being tormented with feelings that I can't seem to control.Eight days without him. Eight days have felt like eight years. Every moment without him has been agony."He loves me."Another petal. "He loves me not.""He loves me," I whisper, staring at the single remaining petal. I pluck it carefully, holding it up to the light. My heart soars."Alright, that's enough."I look up. Anya is standing there, her arms crossed with a smirk on her face. She snatches the bare stem from my hand and tosses it as
AARONNEI pull back, my lips still tingling from the kiss. My heart is racing, my cheeks burning. What have I done? What was I thinking?"I'm sorry," I gasp, pulling away from him. My hands are shaking. My whole body is trembling. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm so sorry."Alec blinks, confusion clouding his eyes. "What? Why are you apologizing?""Because I can't," I say, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I can't be with you. Not like this. I have to break my betrothal first. I am not an unfaithful person. Gosh…I shouldn't have done this. Pardon me. I have to be free before I can—before I can be with anyone else."His face goes still. "Betrothal?"I nod miserably. "Yes. To Ronan. The bad pack heir. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I don't like him, I swear. It was arranged by our fathers. I'm supposed to marry him in two moons."&
ALECI flinch.The name hits me like a physical blow. Ronan of Silverclaw. The words echo in my head, sharp and cold. Silverclaw. Silverclaw. The name has been a thorn in my flesh for years. A constant, aching reminder of everything we've lost."Silverclaw," I repeat, my voice hollow. "That name... it's been a thorn in our side for generations."Aaronne's eyes widen. "You know him?""I know of him," I correct. "I know his family. I know what they've done."She steps closer, her silver eyes searching my face. "He's the son of Alpha Borin. That's their last name."I nod slowly. "Borin. Yes. That name clicks. That name... it's carved into our history. Into our pain.""What do you mean?" she asks softly.I look away, staring at the dark water. The memories are heavy, pressing down on my chest.
ALECOur faces are so close I can feel his breath on my lips. Warm and soft. My heart is pounding so loud I'm sure he can hear it. His eyes are dark in the moonlight, intense, searching. I lean in, just a fraction, just enough to….Then, Anya clears her throat loudly.I jerk back, my face burning. Alec does the same, looking suddenly flustered. The moment shatters like glass."Right," I say, my voice too high. "I should... I should introduce myself properly. I'm Aaronne. It's... it's a family name.""Aaronne," he repeats, testing the name on his tongue. "It suits you.""And you're….“Alec."He smiles, but there's something different about it. The first time we met, he seemed so humble and simple. But tonight, there's a confidence in the way he holds himself. A pride I didn't see before."Just Alec," I repeat, raising an eyebrow. "You don't seem so 'just' tonight."He tilts his head, amused. "What do you mean?""I mean..." I struggle to find the words. "The first time we met, you were
ALEC My form is very majestic. And as an Alpha swan, I have two swan forms too. One to shift as a white swan to camouflage with other swans and my majestic black Alpha Swan form. They both look at me with shock and surprise on their faces.I do some tricks, paddle around, then I shift back."How... how did you do that?" the princess breathes. "So easily? It took me so long, and it hurt so much...""Practice," I say simply. "And training. I've been doing this my whole life.""You're a swan shifter," Anya says, her voice flat with disbelief. "A real one, but you told me you're just a poor farmer living in the border woods.""Yes." I look at the princess again. "And so is she. That's why I'm here. That's why I have to help her."“Are they more of you?” Anya asked. “Where's the rest of you? Do you have a pack or something?”I laugh. “Do you want to come with me?”Anya shakes her head. She says no. I turn back to the princess. She's staring at me with wide, confused eyes. The pain is sti
ALEC I can't breathe.The pink swan is still in the water, but she's changing again. Her beautiful rose-gold feathers are receding, shrinking back into her skin. Her neck is shortening, her wings folding into shoulders. It's painful to watch. I can see it in the way her body convulses, the way her head thrashes. She's not in control. She's drowning in her own transformation."She's going to hurt herself," I say, my voice tight.Raymond grabs my arm. "Alec, wait. Think about this. You don't even know her."“I have to save her. Can you not see she is hurting herself?” At this point I don't think. My heart is beating fast and my feelings are all over the place. I just want to hold the beautiful swan in my hands.“You're our Alpha. You're to lead us to the promise land when we migrate. If anything happens to you, we're done for. You know that, don't you?” "I know she's one of us," I snap. "I know she's a Royal. And I know she needs help."The swan lets out a sound—a terrible, choked cry







