The Half-blood crown

rt, spine straight, hands clasped behind her back. She wore no jewels, only a dark blue coat cut for ridi

He was still huge, still silver-maned, but the lines around his mouth had deepen

yoa may take the crown unwed. The throne requires a co

I have known it since I was old enough to read. What I do not know is w

e Darius of the Silverfang Pack has crossed three territories to answer your father's summons. He is an a

houldered, handsome in a blunt way, and smiling as if he had already won. She had met him once at a b

he evening imag

me in Xiayoa. But if you have come expect

cess, I have come expecting a

th

is that I would

would rule over me. Th

not speak. He rarely did during council sessions now. His silen

ll not follow a wolf who cannot fully shift. They will not kneel to a queen who has

e of her spine, a prickle along her canines. Her mother had been human. Her father was the last great we

to accept me," she said. "I will

ords," Da

an pretty

l has voted. You have thirty days. If you do not choose a cons

went cold.

w is clear. Your father is i

at Alaric

once torn through enemy lines, who had carried her on his shoulders through the snow

ered it, Se

ack exchanged glances. Voss's expression flickere

e kingdom must have an heir. An

in her coat pockets. "The kingd

f-bloo

tries to sell me to the highest bidder like a mare at

e stone. The doors opened. The cold air of the corridor hit her face. She kept walking until she re

e, she let

es, the rage, the hunger to run. But the full shift had never come.

lf. Half a queen.

died treaties, grain stores, border disputes, and the old pack laws. She had sat at her father

to marry. Not to be mana

d to be t

vant cleared his

es

sence. In his private chamb

. The moon was a thin silver nai

am coming,

She would not marry Darius. She would not let Voss choose her fate. She

ming something the ki