Violet Ballard has spent years shielding her heart from the abandonment that still haunts her, but the fated bond to Thomas Endicott ignites a hunger she cannot ignore. His broad frame and steady dominance promise the security of a true claiming, one that could heal the wounds no one else has touched.

The rival alpha's political claim casts a shadow over the misty river borders, threatening to sever their connection before the ritual can bind them. Standing inches apart on the slick rocks, Thomas's hand warm against her waist, Violet senses the twin moons overhead pulling them closer while the rival watches from across the water.

His hidden limp and buried guilt echo the fears she refuses to voice, yet every moment in his grasp tightens the bond. The ancient markers stand witness as she faces the choice that could claim her freedom or deliver the mate she has always needed.