Every full moon, King Cassian Valehart must kill.
For generations, the prison gates have opened beneath the moon, releasing condemned wolves into Blackthorn Forest as prey for their cursed king. When Cassian transforms, black cracks tear across his skin, molten-gold veins burn beneath them, and mercy disappears.
Until one starving orphan makes the monster kneel.
Elara Fen has survived by remaining invisible. Branded a low-ranked wolf and unable to shift, she enters the forbidden forest hunting a rabbit for dinner. Instead, she finds a wounded stranger fighting a terrible transformation.
The moment her blood touches his cracked skin, the curse recognizes what the kingdom has failed to find-Cassian's true Luna.
But morning steals his memory.
Terrified of the king, his court, and the bond neither of them understands, Elara runs. She disappears into the wilderness carrying a secret that could change two kingdoms forever.
Five years later, Cassian is still searching for the woman whose scent haunts him. Deep inside Blackthorn Forest, Elara is raising their fearless daughter, Miri-a child with one silver eye, one molten-gold eye, and royal power awakening in her blood.
When danger exposes their hidden home, Cassian finally finds the family stolen from him. But claiming them will not break the curse. A false princess guards a stolen throne. A ruthless Moon Priest feeds an ancient hunger. And the women Cassian trusted most have buried betrayals powerful enough to destroy his kingdom.
To save Elara and their daughter, Cassian must confront the monster inside him-and choose love without possession, loyalty without obedience, and a future that demands no innocent blood.
He was born to rule. Cursed to kill. And only the woman he forgot can teach the beast to kneel.
