Summer’s POV:I was still stunned by Lucian’s kindness and his generous gift. He showed such vulnerability and opened up to me truly. All I could think about was how this was the exact opposite of how Marcus treated me: he shut me out when all I wanted was for him to accept me, he rejected me cruelly, without any second thought. I looked at both men, and it hit me how different they were. Marcus was always the playboy, but he had this funny, bubbly way about him. He's also got the power and the spirit. Yet inside, he wasn't all that determined and decisive, nor was he secure, let alone trusting others. I knew all too well the demons that haunted him. Prince Lucian was the contrary: he looked very cruel and dark on the outside, but the more I got to know him, I learned he was actually sweet and fiercely loyal to those he loved.“Prince Lucian… I feel so honored that you would give me this dagger. I don’t know what to say…”I looked up at him, and he came closer. I could feel his sincer

*Summer’s POV:My last day in the pack was a really hectic one! After leaving the hospital room, I went back to my room and tried to be as helpful as possible, but since I was still in recovery, everyone insisted on not letting me do any chores.“Do you have the golden dress packed?”“Yes, Luna.”“Don’t forget all her accessories… We want her to be dressed to match the royal protocol!”I rolled my eyes in the back of my head. They were all overdoing it. In all truth, I was terrified to leave the pack and join the palace. That’s why I tried to lighten up the mood with some jokes. Rose was not very helpful, as I could tell how devastated she was that I was leaving.That night, she slept in my room, though we didn’t get any sleep. We spent the night reminiscing about some good childhood memories and laughing, crying, dancing together like we hadn’t in a very long time. As it was almost dawn and time for me to meet with the Prince and leave, I laid my head on my sister’s lap. She caressed

*Summer’s POV:Everyone was indeed waiting for me. As I got down from the car, I noticed how some of the men were looking at me. They were probably curious and hadn’t got the chance to see me before.“You, and you, escort Miss Summer to her chambers. Make sure everything is safe and ready for her before you let her in, and stay in front of her door at ALL TIMES. Am I understood?”“Yes, Beta.”I was stunned and surprised to see the ease with which he was commanding all these men, even though they weren’t our pack warriors. Everyone seemed to genuinely respect and appreciate his input.“Beta Samuel, Prince Lucian, I have also set up rooms for you both. Since your mate is pregnant, I have arranged the first floor room for you, beta. As for you, Prince Lucian, your suite is on the last floor, right next to Summer’s.”Samuel and Lucian looked at each other, and I could tell they were slightly surprised. Nonetheless, they nodded in agreement.Before I followed my two personal guards, I took

I couldn’t remember when I had fallen asleep. Tossing and turning in my bed for what seemed like hours, sleep escaped me. I was thinking about all the recent events, the mate-bond between me and Marcus… and Lucian. Was Marcus right? Was Lucian’s sister-in-law murdering any she-wolf coming near him? I felt my throat tighten, as I was now his official mate. Surely, that meant I had a mark on my back, but I never really thought of what that would mean until Marcus said those things.His confession tonight struck a chord. He was always kind to me… Unlike Chris or Rose, he had absolutely no reason to be kind to me, and yet he was. Everything he did afterwards, the females, the rejection… Was I willing to let all that go and start anew? Marcus was strong, responsible and reliable. Everything about him screamed safety and family. Choosing him meant staying with the pack, having a calm little life as the beta female while Rose and Chris would be the next Luna and Alpha. Her life would be easy

“I don’t… What does that even mean?”Prince Lucian took a deep breath, before explaining:“When the hybrids shift for the first time, their wolves make them even stronger and faster. But the shift kills them.”“Kills their wolves? So then how are they able to survive?” Summer’s voice was high-pitched. She had never heard of a wolf dying and their human counterpart staying alive.“They don’t. Unless they find a host, another werewolf who is just ready to be possessed. Hence the attacks on the packs and the kidnappings.”Summer mulled over that information for a while, unable to respond. Not only did they murder anyone who crossed their path, but they also took control of innocent werewolves?“The deadly attack on both the packs is what drove a wedge between us. My father told me all about it, before he…” Marcus hesitated. “Before he died. Apparently, your grandmother led an attack against the rogues. The Red River Pack was closest to them, but they were quickly outnumbered. Even with a