Seven women entered Kane Croft’s private wing after midnight. None made it to sunrise.

One month later.

The summer sun shone brightly over Blackwood Keep, bathing the ancient stone castle in a warm, golden radiance.

The grand courtyard was filled with over five thousand wolf pack members from across the entire realm. Families from the Cascade Pack sat in the front row, dressed in fine clothes, laughing and celebrating alongside the high lords of the High Council.

My father, Thomas Hayes, stood near the raised marble altar, wearing a new dark green suit, tears of joy streaming down his weathered cheeks.

The massive brass doors of the cathedral opened.

I walked down the long, flower-covered aisle, wearing a breathtaking gown of pure white lace and embroidered silver thread, a veil of delicate silk flowing behind me. In my hands, I carried a bouquet of wild mountain roses from the Cascade timberlands.

At the end of the aisle stood Kane Croft.

He looked extraordinarily handsome in his black royal military dress uniform, adorned with golden epaulets and silver medals. But his uniform was nothing compared to the warmth, love, and absolute devotion shining in his liquid gold eyes as he watched me approach.

I reached the altar and took his large, warm hands in mine.

The ancient High Priest of the Moon Goddess stepped forward, holding a golden bowl of sacred Moon Pool water.

"Do you, Kane Croft, Apex Alpha King, take Harper Hayes to be your Queen, your Mate, and your equal in all things under the eyes of the Goddess?" the Priest intoned.

Kane smiled, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. "With my blood, my soul, and my life... I do."

"And do you, Harper Hayes, daughter of the Cascade Pack, take Kane Croft to be your King, your Mate, and your protector for all eternity?"

I looked into the eyes of the man everyone had called a monster—the man who had given me his heart, protected my family, and healed his broken soul by my side.

"With all my heart... I do," I answered softly.

The Priest dipped his fingers into the Moon Pool water and anointed our foreheads. "By the authority of the ancestral bloodlines, I pronounce you Alpha King and Queen of the Realm. You may kiss your Queen."

Kane pulled me into his arms, dipping me back slightly as his lips met mine in a fierce, loving kiss that echoed across the entire courtyard.

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers! Five thousand wolves raised their voices in a joyful, triumphant howl that echoed across the Pacific Northwest mountains.

Kane lifted me into his arms, carrying me down the aisle toward the grand balcony overlooking the kingdom.

We stood together at the edge of the balcony, looking out over the vast, green forests and shimmering rivers of our unified realm.

"Seven women came before you, Harper," Kane whispered into my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me snug against his broad chest. "None of them lasted until sunrise."

I leaned back against him, closing my eyes as the warm summer breeze ruffled my hair, feeling the deep, peaceful hum of our soul bond vibrating beneath my skin.

"They only saw the storm, Kane," I smiled, looking up at his clear, golden eyes. "I saw the man who was worth saving."

Kane kissed my cheek gently, turning his head to look out over our bright, endless future.