The island of Lynx — the island of cat shifters.
It's home to four kingdoms, each ruled by a different shifter bloodline: Panther, Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah.
I'm currently in the cruel king's kingdom — Void Cunningham. This place is called Leperd, and there are barely any humans here compared to the other kingdoms on Lynx. Void and his father have had a deep mistrust of humans ever since his mother was killed by one.
The situation I've gotten myself into runs deeper than I thought.
The relic fused into my body once belonged to Void's mother. It gave her more strength as a shifter, helping her fight off a slow poisoning the healers couldn't diagnose at the time.
It wasn't meant for me.
It was meant for the Queen of Panthera — Queen Ayanda, the first female to rule in over 800 years. And by the sound of it, she also happens to be Void's soulmate.
This relic is a national symbol for the queen here in Leperd. Worse, it naturally binds the king and queen — a silent, warm hum to their bond, creating an attachment beyond human understanding.
I highly disagree with that.
I've seen nothing in Void except a beast who wants to kill me.
I want the relic removed, but apparently, I can only give it up if I die willingly — and my death can't be caused by the relic itself. That's where it gets complicated, because this thing is precious to the Cunningham family.
"So… I'm not a sex slave, right?" I ask.
Jeremiah stares at me, dumbfounded.
"Look, I'm just trying to understand my chances here."
"I just told you you're basically the queen of a species not known to man… and you're thinking about being a sex slave?"
"You make it sound so awful," I say, glaring at him.
Jeremiah sighs. He looks exhausted — and he should be. I've spent almost two hours dragging as much intel out of him as possible.
I believe everything he's told me. I don't doubt it for a second. And I'm already regretting stealing this relic. If I have to die, I'll make sure Rain is safe first. I don't think she is — not here in Leperd. If they really do hate humans, she'll never belong.
"Do you feel any different?" Jeremiah asks, notebook and pen in hand.
He's a Jacob — a noble bloodline that's served as advisors to the royal family for generations. From the sound of it, it's not a choice. Still, he says he's happy.
Not my business.
I have my own problems — especially this so-called "bond" between Void and me.
I'm not going to lie… I want him right now. He's insane, but a familiar face would bring me comfort, even if that face wants to kill me. I'm guessing these feelings are my own — just amplified by the relic.
The door opens, and the smell of food hits me. I'm starving. I watch as a maid sets a tray on the table, bows, and leaves without a word. I don't wait or ask permission — I dig in immediately, serving myself.
Jeremiah keeps scribbling in his notebook.
He mentioned the relic is changing my human DNA, but I still feel like myself… only stronger. It's like I'm finally comfortable in my own skin — in my own bones.
And it's all because of this damned necklace.
I wonder if this Queen Ayanda lady will see me as an enemy now that I've… what?
Become Void's bride? Mate? Wife?
I don't even know.
It's all too much. I need a nap — especially after eating all that food.
Hours pass. Jeremiah works quietly, only glancing at me now and then as he pulls down thick, ancient books. None of them are in a language I can read. He tells me only a symvoulos — an advisor — could understand them.
I'm just about to start pestering him about a book I don't care about when the door opens.
Void steps in.
His scent hits me first — sharp, dark, and so familiar it sends a wave of relief through me… quickly chased by fear.
Am I dying today?
"Father wishes to meet my new bride," he says, but his eyes are on Jeremiah, like this whole mess is his fault.
Jeremiah just shrugs and goes back to his work.
Void's gaze shifts to me — and he frowns. "Why does she look different?"
Jeremiah's lips curl into a smile. "It's the necklace. Fascinating, isn't it? The blood of royals can do so much. I think we should study her… see if she'll be able to shift. Bear your children."
Void's body goes rigid. He stares daggers at Jeremiah.
"It's a suggestion," Jeremiah adds quickly.
Honestly? That sounds better than death.
Void strides toward me, every step slow and deliberate, like a predator deciding if I'm prey or possession.
I brace for a hit. Instead, his hand cups the back of my head, warm and firm, guiding me closer. His other hand finds my arm, fingers curling around it with a grip that's both gentle and inescapable.
In the hallway, he lets out a low sigh and rubs his forehead.
"What I'm about to do is for both of us. Do you understand?"
I nod, though my pulse is already racing.
Then he pulls me against him — flush.
The sudden contact steals my breath. My chest is pressed to his, the heat of him seeping through every thin layer of fabric between us. My hands instinctively brace against his chest, but instead of pushing him away, I'm caught there — trapped by the strength in his arms and the unspoken dare in his eyes.
And then… I feel it.
A slow, deliberate sweep of his tongue against the curve of my neck. Cool at first. Then warm.
My breath catches. My stomach flips. My knees threaten to give out.
He lingers there, inhaling me like he's memorizing my scent, his lips grazing the sensitive spot just below my ear. Every nerve in my body lights up, a tangle of warning bells and want.
He moves to the other side of my neck, his nose brushing my skin before his mouth follows, slower this time. I can feel the heat of him, the steady thump of his heart, the way his grip tightens almost imperceptibly, like he's holding himself back.
A sound — embarrassingly soft — escapes me.
He freezes.
Then, as if yanking himself out of a trance, he steps back sharply. His gaze lingers for one unbearable second before he says,
"You need a shower."
What a fucking asshole.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I snap, "next time I'll try to keep up with my personal hygiene while I'm kidnapped."
He doesn't even flinch — just turns and walks away, like I'm not worth the air he breathes.
I stand there for a second, stunned. What the hell was that? Was it the necklace?
My hand goes to my neck, hoping to feel it — but there's nothing. It's still inside me, warm and constant, like it's replaced my pulse.
With a frustrated huff, I follow Void.
The hallway stretches ahead, lit by soft golden sconces that cast shifting shadows over the walls. My boots tap against black crystal tiles as my eyes catch on the portraits lining both sides — only jaguars and leopards, their amber eyes painted so vividly they seem to glint in the light.
Some of the faces are human, some mid-shift with spotted ears or faint rosettes crawling up their skin. All of them watch me as I pass.
Predators. Every single one.
He stops all of a sudden and I do too. It looks like we're at the castle entrance, but I can hear the sounds of people outside — chanting:
"Our queen! Our queen!"
My body immediately freezes. Are they talking about... me? I'm pretty sure they're waiting to see Ayanda, not me.
But I can use this to my advantage. If I show myself, it'll delay my death.
In an instant, I dash toward the door, skipping past Void. Immediately, the first thing I see is a sea of faces. They all look surprised to see me, and I'm frozen in place. Should I ask for help?
"She's weird looking.""Is she human?""She smells like the king.""Is it his bride?""She looks afraid and dirty."
These are the questions swirling around me. Panic flares, and I try to run back inside — but I immediately run into Void's chest.
His hands clamp around my waist, pulling me so close I can feel the hard heat of his body through my clothes.
Without hesitation, he tilts my chin up and crushes his lips to mine — fierce, claiming, demanding.
At first, I freeze, breath stolen by the intensity of it. But then a fire ignites deep inside me, and I find myself matching his hunger, parting my lips, tasting him.
His hands slide down my back, pulling me flush against him. The press of his body is intoxicating — powerful and possessive — as if he's staking his claim not just on me, but on every inch of me.
He groans low in his throat, fingers tightening as they roam over my hips, pulling me impossibly closer. The world narrows until all that exists is the heat of his mouth on mine, the wild beat of his heart against my chest, and the desperate ache growing between my legs.
The crowd around us fades into a blur of murmurs and stunned silence.
Finally, he breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine, breath ragged. His voice is low, dark, dripping with promise.
"Ill fucking kill you"
Before I can even catch my breath, Void steps back, lifts his chin, and loudly declares,
"This is my bride."
Every eye snaps to me. it goes deathly silent — and the weight of his words settles over me like a storm waiting to break.