I accidentally bonded my soul to the Alpha meant to guard me, then had to defend my academy from his fae-wolf nightmare twin.

I should hate Caelan for leaving me with a crown, a crumbling academy, and nobles who would rather bow to fae than survive beside me.

Instead, I burn every time his name crosses my mind.

He is my mate, my weakness, and the one man duty keeps dragging away from me.

Then Dain slithers into my head with glamour-soft promises and shows me a life where Caelan stays, where my crown never cuts, where peace does not taste like blood.

I almost choose it.

Caelan's letters stop coming, the wards start cracking, and a rival Alpha made of wolf rage and fae cruelty marches on Moonspire.

Then Caelan returns through smoke and ruin.

He shields my students, kneels before my crown, and fights beside me like love is a weapon.

So of course I fall harder.

Now Moonspire is burning, my bond is bleeding, and the monster wearing Caelan's almost-face says the eclipse prophecy has already begun.