"That mark on your neck..." he whispered, stepping closer. "No one can ever discover what binds us." Adina's breath caught. "W-what do you mean?" "You will conceal it. You will live as though nothing changed. You will never speak of yesterday. I will deny you as my mate. Always." Tears threatened to spill. "Then why mark me? Why, if you don't want me?" "Given the choice, I wouldn't even glance your way." His voice dripped with disdain, eyes colder than winter itself. "Do you imagine I'd claim you? A murderer?" His sneer deepened. "You slew your Alpha's heir. What mate would accept that stain?" ~~~~~ Falsely accused of murdering her Alpha's pup, Adina loses her Luna status and is enslaved. Once the Luna of her pack, Adina now wears chains and faces her darkest fate—delivered to Thorne Vargan Rhukor, the Lycan King shrouded in curse and legend. A monster whispered in the darkest tales. A sovereign who butchered his own mate and scattered her to the vultures. Then their gazes lock, and everything shatters. A dormant bond awakens. Ancient prophecy stirs to life. And the King who swore never to love again... hungers for her. In a realm where beasts scheme, bargains shatter souls, and betrayal runs deep... what price can a heart truly pay?