Se connecterBranwen POVThe others settle into the main cavern with the ease of people who have already claimed one another in smaller ways. Furs are dragged closer to the dying fire. Low voices fade. Agatha’s soft snoring starts almost immediately.Nythor’s hand finds the small of my back.He doesn’t speak. He simply guides me toward the narrower passage at the rear of the cave, where the stone curves into a smaller chamber we’ve claimed as our own for the night. A single torch burns low against the wall, throwing soft gold across pale rock and the thick pile of furs waiting for us.The moment the shadows close behind us, the quiet changes. It becomes deliberate.Nythor turns me to face him. Glacier eyes study my face the way he studies everything, carefully and thoroughly, as if he is cataloguing every shift of breath. His long silver-white hair falls over one shoulder. The scent of clean frost and cold river water wraps around me.“You’re certain,” he says. Not a question. A confirmation.I st
Nythor POVThe smell of roasting fish fills the cave, and I find myself watching Branwen more than the food.She crouches beside the fire, her long hair spilling over one shoulder as she turns the fish with a wooden stick. Firelight catches the green vines climbing her arms and disappearing beneath the fabric of her dress. Every so often, she hums softly to herself, entirely unaware of the effect she has on the five kings watching her.Or perhaps she is aware. Branwen is rarely unaware of anything. Fenrick sits across from me, elbows resting on his knees, wearing the same irritating grin he has worn since we returned from scouting."You're staring.""I'm merely observing.""You're staring at our witch.""I can do both."His laugh rumbles through the cave. Hadrian sits nearby, sharpening one of his blades while Zarrk lounges against the stone wall. Torren occupies the other side of the fire, looking as though someone has personally offended him by making him sit still.Kayne is helping
Branwen POVFive kings and one general.Six very large, very intimidating men staring at one rather bewildered older woman. I look between them and sigh."Well, don't all speak at once."Fenrick starts laughing. Hadrian rubs a hand over his face."Branwen, you brought a stranger into our camp?""I did.""Without knowing whether she's trustworthy?""Correct.""Without discussing it with us?""Also correct."Zarrk's mouth twitches. "She's consistent, at least."I point at him. "Don't encourage them."Agatha stands beside me, twisting her hands nervously."Please, I don't want to cause any trouble. I can leave if you don't want me here."Torren's expression softens slightly. "No one is sending you back into the forest."I smile at him. "See? Mountain Man gets it."Hadrian gives me a feral ass look, but eventually nods. "Alright. Let's hear what happened."I practically bounce on my toes. "First, look what we found!"I pull my pack closer and begin unloading everything onto the furs. Drie
Branwen POVThere are few things in this world more entertaining than watching a massive, dangerous wolf king attempt to flirt while carrying a fishing net."You're staring, little witch.""I'm trying to decide whether you look more ridiculous carrying that thing or when you're strutting around showing off your muscles."Fenrick grins, tossing the net over his shoulder. "You like my muscles.""Unfortunately.""You want to touch them.""I want to catch fish.""Could do both.""Gods give me strength."His laughter follows us through the trees as we make our way toward the stream. The morning has turned pleasantly warm, sunlight filtering through the branches and catching on the leaves. Birds sing overhead, and the forest smells of damp earth, wildflowers, and pine.I feel wonderful. My stomach is full, my body is clean, and the strange vines decorating my ankles have stopped growing. For now, anyway. The golden warmth of my bond with Hadrian remains a constant presence in my chest, reas
Branwen POVFor the first time since being tossed into these damn Wilder Games, I feel absolutely fantastic.I'm clean, my belly is full, my body is still humming from sealing my bond with Hadrian, and I've somehow managed to collect five ridiculously attractive kings without even trying. Not bad for a former tavern wench who stabbed a nobleman in the thigh.Honestly, I deserve a fucking medal.I'm sitting beside Torren, enjoying the warmth of his enormous arm around my shoulders, when something catches my attention. There's a strange tingling around my ankles.At first, I assume it's an insect. The Wilds are absolutely crawling with horrible little creatures, and I've already had one particularly unpleasant encounter with a beetle the size of my thumb. But when I reach down to scratch, the tingling spreads."What the bloody hell?"Torren immediately looks down at me. "What's wrong?""Something's happening to my legs."That gets everyone's attention.I look down and just stare. "Oh."
Torren Brokenbone POVI have spent most of my life believing there is nothing in this world capable of bringing me to my knees.I am Torren Brokenbone, King of the Hollowfang Peaks. I have fought wars, buried brothers, and watched entire villages disappear beneath winter snow. I have broken the backs of enemies twice my size and held mountain passes against armies that outnumbered mine ten to one.Yet here I am, following a little witch through the forest, wearing the stupidest grin I have ever felt on my face.Bryam, my bear, is practically purring inside my chest."Our mate.""Yes, I know.""She smells wonderful.""I fucking know.""We should hold her again.""Will you shut up?" I mutter.Branwen glances over her shoulder, those bright green eyes sparkling with amusement."Talking to yourself, Mountain Man?""Something like that.""Well, tell whoever's in there to behave. I've already got enough feral beasts to deal with."Fenrick bursts out laughing. "Oh, little witch, you have no
THE WORLD OF THE WILDER GAMESThe Continent of EgrarionThe known world is divided into two main regions: the Walled Cities of the Human Concord and the Savage Wilds of Egrarion, home to the beast kingdoms. Magic runs through the roots of this land, but not all have access to it, or believe it shou
Branwen POVI'm still in the tree. Still trying to decide if I'm a lunatic or a genius. My arse is numb. My thighs are cramping. Two very dangerous, very sexy bastards are pacing the forest somewhere below me, plotting how to make me theirs like I'm the last sweetcake at a harvest fair.I shift sli
Nythor FrostbiteWhite Tiger Warlord POVHer scent is going to be the death of me. Earth and sunlight. Wild magic and ripe berries. A forest witch's scent, yes, but uniquely hers. The moment it hit me, my tiger went feral beneath my skin. Wanted blood. Wanted to claim. Wanted to sink his teeth into
Branwen POVRun. It's all I can think as those white tiger eyes lock on me. I don't wait for him to pounce, I launch upward, my feet digging into bark, fingers catching on knots as I scramble up the nearest tree like a wildcat being chased by death itself. My heart hammers so loud I swear he can he







