Ayasha watched her brother die at the hands of King Nahuel as her pack was crushed beneath the weight of conquest. When she catches the tyrant king’s eye during a brutal sparring match, he offers her a deal: marry his son, Prince Koda, and her family will be spared.

Desperate to protect what remains, Ayasha agrees.

But the promised marriage is a lie.

In the heart of Lamia, she discovers nineteen other would-be brides, all from fallen packs, forced into a brutal Luna trial. Only one will earn the right to stand beside the prince. The rest will lose everything, including their lives.

Ayasha already has an agenda of her own. She plans to kill Koda, the son of the monster she blames for her brother’s death.

Then her wolf imprints on him.

Fate has bound her to the very man she came to destroy. As the trials grow bloodier and palace secrets come to light, Ayasha must choose between the vengeance that drives her and the bond she never wanted.

The wine glass felt heavy in my hand. Too heavy. I brought it to my lips and let the liquid touch my tongue, metallic and bitter. The King's eyes stayed locked on mine across the table, waiting. Always waiting.


I tilted the glass higher, but instead of swallowing, I let some of the wine spill down my chin. The dark liquid stained the front of my midnight blue dress. Perfect. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, making a show of embarrassment.


"Forgive me," I said, dabbing at the stain. "How clumsy."


The King's smile never wavered. "No matter. These things happen when one is nervous."


I brought the glass to my lips again, pretending to drink more deeply this time. The wine pooled in my mouth, acid and wrong. I forced my throat to move like I was swallowing while keeping the liquid trapped behind my teeth. Then I wiped my mouth again, harder this time, letting more wine escape.


Chapter 110 - The Lure 4