The Marked Mate of the Lycan King.

silk. I sat on the edge of the enormous bed, hands resting on my knees, trying to find the pulse of mys

I was a tool for the Shadow Canyons. That was my expiration date. But if I could prov

ke the worst, most ill-suited queen imaginable. But if I can speak the language o

tside the door, a fixed, granite presence. The silent handmaids brought breakfast, which

was cloying lavender and whose face was a study in co

rate curtsy that seemed designed to judge my lack of one. "I have been charged with preparing you fo

rate smile. "It was certa

not lounge. You do not speak directly unless invited. And you certainly do

ant to secure the Kingdom. If my aggression keeps the Hunters o

th. "Luna, that is not how one speak

will. Now, what is the most important thing a Luna must master?" I asked, leaning s

f course! The depth of the bow indicates the level

, her spine remaining impeccably straight. When

t. I dropped too low, wobbled, and almost stumbled int

?" I asked

es shut, inhaling slowly. "No, Luna. You must mainta

curtsey too shallow, barely nodding my head. "Does t

ce flushing crimson. She stumbled back a step, horr

hings. Especially not with such... bitterne

oot and Demetrius's cold eyes. "Is the truth less acceptable than the lie I am wear

l, something that couldn't be tamed with silk and posture. She was ter

l resume your lessons in presentation tomorrow," she s

atastrophe of cour

l Oris was a scarred, stoic Lycan who smelled of aged leather and dust. He was dress

here to teach you the modern strategy of the Lycan war machine, a

somethi

ed, intimidating depiction of the northern border wher

called the Aura Gap. "The Hunters have developed sonic deterrents that disorient our warriors

eams to draw out the enemy before a large force attacked the main fortifications.

n't look at the Lycan fortifications; I focused entirely on the e

e," I stated flatly, interrupting

estioned by anyone, let alone a supposed novice

w, forested valley far from the main battlefront. "The Hunters are using the sonic field to pin the Lycan troops and

d logging mill. If a battalion hit the supply line here, they wouldn't just cut off resources; they'd force the main Hunter defense t

e road. He had been so focused on the front line, he hadn't consi

voice thick with disbelief. "It would require a

dining hall swung open with a powerful

trius Kle

nse mask of cold assessment. He was framed by Rhys, his ever-present Beta. Demetri

or, then at my uneaten food, and finally, his gaze settled on the ma

gnoring me entirely. "Give me you

jesty, Lady Anya reports she is... unteacha

rming his expectation of my fail

as identified a flaw in the Aegis Initiative's Aura Gap defense that has eluded our entire tacti

y of his scrutiny was devastating. He walked to the table, standing close en

ow, challenging, and laced with suppressed fury th

professional, and devoid of emotion, figh

he map. "They value logistics over the temporary gain of territory. A decisive, small attack here," I tapped the bottleneck, "will force them to abandon t

His expression was a volatile mix of co

t name like a verbal lash. "If that battalion is lost, the enti

tly, meeting his gaze without blinking, the silver chain heavy

aw, calculating thought. He nodded once, a sharp, d

ng the logging mill route immediately.

ty, no affection, but a horrifying new intensity i

, I walked back to the window. The silence was back, but now it felt different. It was

ught, pressing my palm against the cool glass. I just made t

lligence to the man who controlled my fate. I had traded the soft, slow death of being useless for the sharp, immediat