Rejected by her mate and discarded by her pack, Seraphine thought she’d hit rock bottom. She was wrong. Now, she’s been traded as a breeder to the ruthless Alpha of the Mistwood pack, Theodore Zain—a man whose legendary curse kills every bride he takes.

Theodore needed an heir, not another bride destined to die. But the omega forced on him is disarmingly innocent and maddeningly resilient. He’s a man resigned to his cursed fate, she’s a woman with nothing left to lose, and their forced union is a powder keg waiting to ignite.

Theodore makes the terms clear: this is a contract, not a romance. She will provide an heir and stay out of his heart. He’s built walls of ice to survive the curse, and he warns her to do the same.

But as her quiet defiance chips away at his control, a possessiveness he never anticipated awakens a desire that could be her death sentence. Will her light be enough to defy a centuries-old curse, or will she simply become its next victim?


The podium felt like a prison as I stood before the assembled pack members at the Celestial Soirée. My pulse hammered against my throat, but not from nerves about public speaking. No, the source of my agitation sat directly in my line of sight, wearing that damned dress that made my blood run hot.


Seraphine looked absolutely stunning tonight. The fabric clung to curves that hadn't existed when I first retrieved her from the Storm Peak territory. Back then, she was supposed to be nothing more than a vessel for my heir. A simple transaction to secure the bloodline. I had specifically ordered her to avoid me, convinced I could maintain that cold distance forever.


Chapter 24 - Chapter 24 The Alpha Stakes His Claim