Wind lashes against me with a ferocious chill as my claws tear into the earth beneath. Each stride sends a spray of damp soil flying behind me, my wolf form pushing through the biting cold. Ice crystals form on my thick, silver fur, yet the need to run overpowers the creeping frost. This relentless pace is a poor substitute for the warmth of my mate, but with Asher gone, I have no better solace.

It’s been over a week since Asher left, and his absence carves a soul-deep ache within me, a hollow no other—not my sister, nor my best friend—can fill. The frigid air is the only balm that soothes the fiery itch under my skin, the restless torment that stole last night’s sleep. Asher is still two days away from returning, and doubt gnaws at me, despite knowing he is where he must be.

Some days, I consider being the mate of the next wolf king of Lunara North a curse. Yet, beneath the weight of this destiny, pride swells within me for Asher. He’s known his destiny since he was born and reveled in that knowledge. For me, I’ve known the same and have tried to be as accepting as my mate, but I also know I’ve fallen short at times. Like now, when I’d rather he be home with me than taking part in diplomatic visits.

Often, I’ve dreamed of nothing more than running away with Asher and keeping him all to myself, but that would rob him of something I know he loves: his kingdom and people. We might only be twenty and on our first life, but Asher’s soul shines with a purity I sometimes feel unworthy of.

Though I won’t ever give him up. No matter how selfish my thoughts might become or how much I hate that as future king, he’s not allowed to officially claim his queen until twenty-five. Still, that hasn’t stopped us from loving each other since the moment we were babies.

Twin flames born on the same day, inseparable since. Our parents had a hell of a time keeping us apart when we were children and now that we’re full-grown adults, they’ve stopped trying, even if us living in the castle is technically against royal law. At least we compromised on having separate rooms.

My gaze snaps back toward the castle, my wolf’s eyes narrowing with intense focus. We take a deep inhale. Asher.

He’s home early. I don’t know why. All I know is that I need to get to him now. My heart swells as we race home and I spot his ebony wolf running toward us. Clearly, I’m not the only one eager for our reunion.

Mid-stride, I tap into my shifter magic, feeling the familiar surge of energy as I transition back to human form. Energy covers my body briefly and within a couple of beats of my rapid heart, I’m running on two legs, barely slowing as I close the distance between us.

Asher shifts as well, and before I can catch my next breath, his arms envelop me. I bury my face against his neck, inhaling the deep, woodsy scent of him. “I missed you,” I whisper.

His hand winds through the loose waves of my long, rose-gold hair and the other presses firmly against my lower back. “I missed you more.”

“I’m more than grateful to have you home, but why are you back early? Is everything okay?” I pull back to search his face before he even has the chance to answer.

His cobalt eyes brighten as he gives me one of his famous roguish grins. “I just needed to see you sooner rather than later.” His words give me pause, but he continues before I can push. “Our visit was cut short while at Lunara South and I might have upset King Fane when we were at West. Coming home seemed like the best choice and the boat couldn’t cut through the rough waters fast enough.”

“You shouldn’t have been sailing in this weather.” I glare at him but also smile because I can’t deny I’m glad he did.

“We had three water dragons with us,” he assures me. “The risk was minimal.”

For a royal, sure. But the crew could have been left dead. The dragons that live in our surrounding ocean don’t care all that much for our kind, outside the leaders. Some say they used to be shifters like us, but that their animals took charge long before the great war that divided our land, creating the four islands we have now. Yet there’s no proof the dragons are anything more than ominous sea creatures.

Asher’s thumb lightly rubs over my lower lip before his mouth captures mine. I open for him without hesitation, eager for even the tiniest taste of my mate. His hand moves back to my hair, gripping the pinkish strands tightly and angling my head until he has me right where he wants.

I should press for more details about his trip, especially if he upset another leader. Yet as he presses closer, all I can think about is how I wish that I hadn’t been gifted with the magic to keep my clothes when I shift because I’d much rather be naked right now. Unfortunately, being a princess of Lunara and future queen means not allowing my naked body to be on display for any to see. Something I appreciate except for moments like this.

I pull back and glance toward the woods, my blue eyes no doubt bright with mischief. “Should we go to our spot?”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.” Asher takes my hands and kisses them softly. “Race you there.”

He darts away, and I let out a playful growl at his head start. Though that won’t make much of a difference. He’s never beat me fairly and today won’t be any different.

His midnight-colored wolf is at least fifty yards ahead by the time I’ve shifted, but my wolf is alight with the thrill of the chase. She lengthens her stride, muscles stretching gracefully as we regain ground with each powerful push against the frostbitten earth.

The cold bites at my fur, yet it’s the fire of anticipation—knowing I’ll soon be entwined with my mate—that keeps the chill at bay. Our winter may only last a moon cycle, but its icy grip is often more than I care to bear.

We weave through the dense forest beyond the castle, following a path etched deep in my memory since childhood. Asher and I found this cave when we were only eight. We’d come out here for hours just to be in each other’s company. It wasn’t until we were fifteen that we understood our closeness was more than being best friends and then the cave became our sanctuary from judgment-filled stares.

Now, Asher is within biting distance. His backward glance meets mine, and his growl of playful challenge sends a ripple of joy through me. Maybe one day, he’ll outrun me, but that isn’t going to happen today. Asher needs to earn his victory, not have it handed to him on a silver platter.

As we round the final bend leading to the cave, my wolf yips excitedly, sprinting past Asher’s grumbling form. I can almost hear his mock-frustrated curse at being bested again—something else I long for. The moment when our bond is blessed by the gods, and I can truly hear his thoughts. Until then, my imagination fills in his grumbles.

We come skidding to a stop and shift back to our clothed human forms. Before Asher can get a word out, I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. “Did I mention how much I missed you? So much that I nearly tore my skin to shreds trying to soothe the ache your absence left.”

His lips brush against mine, a tender touch that speaks volumes. “You don’t have to explain. I felt the same way. I tried to tell my father if he’d just let us officially become mates, the time away wouldn’t be so painful, but he insisted we break enough rules as it is. No sense risking the upset of our people.”

I scoff lightly, my breath a mist in the cool air. “Our people adore us. They only want us to be happy.”

He carries me deeper into the cave, nodding in agreement. “I tried that angle. Still no luck. My father might be a descendant of the wolf gods and powerful in his own right, but even he doesn’t want to provoke their wrath.”

My eyes roll. Of course he doesn’t. Not that I want to, either, but the laws they created for our kind over two thousand years ago no longer make sense. Well, most of them. It’s time we made changes. Though any time I bring that up to my parents—royals by blood since my father was a king in his third lifetime, but no longer as powerful as Asher’s father—they shut me down.

“Did you get to spend time with Este?” Asher asks, no doubt purposefully changing a subject we’ve discussed dozens of times.

I nod. “Yeah, she’s slept over at the castle every night you’ve been gone and we had dinner with Noen a couple of times as well.”

Asher loses his smile and his tone goes flat. “I see.”

I slap his shoulder. “Still? After all this time, you still hate him that much?”

His chest vibrates as he refuses to reply. Another topic we’ve over-discussed throughout the years. Noen was my neighbor growing up. While Asher has always been closest to me, Noen didn’t have as easy of an upbringing. His mother died giving birth to him—a fact his father has never let him forget, as if her passing was Noen’s fault.

How could I not befriend him when he was so lonely? I always hoped he and Este would find happiness together, but Noen has become like a brother to the both of us. Something Asher has never accepted.

“He doesn’t see me the way you think,” I remind my mate for the millionth time.

His face contorts, making deep creases between his brows. “How could he not? I’ve seen the longing in his eyes as he stares when you’re not paying attention. There’s no mistaking how he feels, Isobella.”

I cup his strong jaw in my hands, my touch gentle. “But you know that even if you’re right, it doesn’t matter. My heart is yours alone.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m okay with another wolf lusting after what’s mine.” His grumbly voice brings a smile to my face.

“I love when you’re possessive over me,” I whisper, peppering his face with kisses as our eyes adjust to the dim light of the cave and our bodies begin to warm back up.

There’s a thermal energy beneath this place, keeping the interior almost too hot, no matter the weather. Yet we never complain about our haven. Instead, we’ve chosen to spend time throughout the years making improvements, like stringing lights inside that are charged by the sun and bringing in rocks to create a natural bathing area out of the hot spring we found. Though washing is usually the last thing on our mind nowadays when we get in.

Asher pins me against the smooth, warm surface of the rock wall behind us, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Would you still love my possessive side if I told you that my wolf wants nothing more than to sink his teeth into your neck, marking you and changing your scent until you smell of only me?”

My skin shivers and I practically melt into him. “Even then.”

We both know the truth, though. He could bite me here and now, but it would change nothing without the gods’ blessing during a formal mating ceremony. Something that is normally done privately, but because Asher is the future king, ours will be a spectacle, attended by curious onlookers.

Thankfully, the act of marking each other and accepting the blessing of the gods is as far as that event will go. The rest of our bonding will be done privately, something I wouldn’t have caved on, even for a king, if they’d tried to force otherwise.

Sliding down Asher’s body, my feet settle on the dirt pathway within the cave and clutch at his white, button-up shirt, gathering the fabric in my hands. “How about we release some of this tension with a soak?” I suggest, my voice laced with a playful tone.

A spark returns to his cobalt eyes. “There’s nothing I’ve wanted more all week.”

I step forward to lead the way, but Asher’s strong arms encircle my waist, lifting me over his shoulder in one swift motion.

My laughter fills the cavernous space, echoing off the stone walls. “You’re impossible sometimes.”

“You wouldn’t have me any other way,” he retorts, his stride confident and unwavering as he walks through the cave, our path aglow with dim light provided only by those we’ve hung throughout the years.

No, I really wouldn’t.

My hands wander over his firm backside before smacking his right cheek and daring to tease him. “Maybe I’ve changed my⁠—”

Before I can finish, I’m cradled in his arms, his gaze capturing mine, intense and full of fire. “You wouldn’t dare change your mind about me.”

“I might resent your duties and the weight of the expectations of us sometimes, but you’re right,” I confess, losing a piece of myself within his loving gaze. “For this lifetime and every other we’re blessed to have after this, it will always be you, Asher Cromwell. My future king, my mate, my everything.”

“Gods, I missed you so damn much.” He growls then captures my mouth, his tongue slipping between my lips with a passion that leaves me breathless. I kiss him back with matched ferocity, gripping the back of his hair tightly as I lean up to remove as much space between us as possible.

This might be our first lifetime together, but my love for him feels as ancient as if we’ve been bound for a millennium—a future I’m certain awaits us. Asher is my everything and spending an eternity with this man is all I will ever desire.

When I was little, the idea of being reborn over and over again wasn’t appealing, but the moment I knew I would be spending those years with Asher changed everything. Even if being the future king and queen seems daunting, it’s only temporary.

One of the few mercies of our ancient laws is that a wolf may only rule once. When Asher is reborn, the throne will belong to another. Something I’ll have to look forward to during our reincarnation.

Though that shouldn’t be for hundreds of years, I have a feeling with Asher, the centuries will pass in a blink of an eye, especially when he touches me as he currently is.

For now, with Asher’s hand firm on my neck and the other possessively around my waist, time seems inconsequential. He navigates us toward the hot spring with a precision that astounds me, never missing a step and his kisses stealing my breath away.

He finally stops, and the steam from the warm water rises around us as his voice becomes a commanding whisper. “Get undressed.”

His demand sends a thrill through me, curling my toes inside my boots. I used to hate the dresses I’m encouraged to wear as a princess, but the simplicity of shedding just two pieces of clothing is a blessing now. My patience can only be expected to last for so long after not seeing Asher for a week.

The loose fabric of my cotton, blue dress is pulled over my head and tossed behind Asher. He kneels before me as he slowly slides my underwear down my thighs, taking a deep inhale and exposing me. “You have no idea how much I fucking missed you.”

His touch sends electrical currents throughout my body and I tilt my head back, closing my eyes briefly and soaking in the depth of our connection. “I think I might have an inkling of just how much.”

I kick off my shoes as he starts to stand and I yank at his clothes. Within seconds, we’re stripped free of any restraints and I’m back in Asher’s arms.

The warmth of the cave has nothing on the heat in my mate’s eyes when we step into the hot springs. He kisses me again and lowers my body until my feet touch the smooth, rock bottom and the water laps over my chest. His hands grip my face tightly and he pulls back just far enough to look into my eyes.

“I need you.” There’s a pain filtering through his words that I’m not used to being there.

I want to ask more about what happened while he was away, but the chance is stolen from me when he grabs my hips and encourages my legs around his waist. His palm covers my stomach, fingers splayed out as he gently moves his touch over me, across my chest, paying homage to each of my breasts while also pushing me back toward the water.

Once my head barely touches the surface, Asher reaches down and rubs his hard length over my center. I twitch in anticipation, but he doesn’t make me wait long.

He surges forward and slams into me until he’s fully seated. My mouth pops open, but no sound comes out. Just like every time before, this man takes my breath away and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I lift out of the water and wrap my hands around his neck, bringing my mouth to his. He kisses me back with enthusiasm as I rock my hips against his, hitting harder with every thrust.

Asher grips the back of my hair tightly and breaks our kiss. “You know I love you more than anything else in all the worlds, right?”

“Of course I do.” I press a hand over his heart. “Just like I love you.”

His fingers dig into my side as he holds me impossibly close. “Nothing is more important than you.”

I cup his face with both hands, my concern too strong to stay silent. “What happened, Asher?”

He shakes his head. “I just… I missed you.”

I don’t believe that’s what’s bothering him, but he seems to need this physical contact more than my words right now. So, when he holds me tighter, moving until my back is pressed against the rock wall behind us, I don’t object.

Not even when I see a shimmer in his eyes that could possibly be tears, yet he never lets a single one fall. Instead, my mate holds my stare and loves me more fiercely than he ever has before.

My body begins to tremble and judging by the tension in Asher’s jaw, he’s close as well. I grab the back of his head, tangling my fingers in his hair as his growls become more defined.

When he blinks and looks back at me, I can see his wolf peeking through his gaze, a sense of feralness lying just beneath the surface.

I try to focus more on Asher than myself, but when he reaches between us and rubs his thumb over that perfect spot while still filling me so completely, I can’t help but fall apart in his arms.

His movements become rigid and jagged for a few beats until we’re leaning into each other, panting from the aftereffects. Normally, we spend time reveling in our bond, lying together in silence, but knowing something is wrong, I need my mate to talk to me.

Using two fingers, I gently lift Asher’s chin while my legs are still wrapped tightly around his waist in the warm embrace of the hot springs. “Talk to me,” I urge softly.

He frowns, his fingers tracing patterns over my arms, the warmth of the water contrasting with the seriousness of his expression. “I’m sorry, Issie. I thought I could handle it, but⁠—”

Asher tries to avert his eyes, but I grip his stubble covered chin and hold his gaze, refusing to let him shoulder this burden alone. “There’s nothing you can’t share with me.”

“I know.” His voice is thick with tortured emotion. “My father, he’s…sick.”

A wave of tension grips my shoulders, but I keep my composure. “What do you mean, sick?”

Shifters aren’t typically prone to illnesses, especially kings. Their blood is the cure-all for anything that could possibly bring harm to our people, like poison or curses. Old age and violence are the two most common reasons of death in our world, the latter being the rarest unless we’re at war.

“He isn’t sure, but something feels off with his wolf,” Asher explains, his voice laden with worry. “He fears he won’t be fit to rule much longer.”

No, this can’t be happening. Asher isn’t supposed to be king for decades. We’re supposed to have time—time to be officially mated, time to be together beyond the obligations to his people. My heart clenches as the realization hits me. In just four years, once our bond is complete, I’ll be queen.

I’m not ready for this and Asher knows it, but more than not being ready, I know we have no choice. This is our destiny and I won’t change any part of it as long as I get to be by his side. Fear and selfishness aside, there is nothing more important to me than this man.

Squeezing his hands reassuringly, I manage a brave smile. “We’ll figure it out. We always do.”

“You’re not upset?” he asks, his frown still ever present.

“For your father? Absolutely, but with you? Never.” I press a quick kiss to his lips. “We’ve known since we were kids what your future would be and, when we later understood what our connection really meant, what my role would be as your mate. I won’t lie and pretend I wouldn’t have preferred more time, but if your father needs you to step up, then we will rise to meet that challenge together.”

He pulls me against his chest, his arms shaking as he holds me tightly. “We had plans, and I thought you would... I’m sorry, Isobella. More than you can imagine. I should never have doubted you.”

My smile widens as he finally looks at me again. “No, you shouldn’t have. I might complain about having to share you, but this is just one lifetime. We will have many more lives to be selfish when our time here is done.”

“Thank you.” His smile finally breaks through the somber mood. “Those words don’t seem like enough, but I promise to spend every life showing you how grateful I am that you’re mine for eternity.”

Our lips meet in a passionate kiss, our tongues dancing fervently. The heat between us builds, tempting me toward another round of love making in the hot spring, but I haven’t forgotten the critical issue Asher shared.

Pulling back slightly, I lay my hand on his chest. “Your father. How bad do you think this is?”

King Gideon is only two centuries old—by our standards, still in his prime. More pressingly, I sense Asher isn’t ready to lose his father or take up the mantle of king.

Asher shrugs, a troubled look in his eyes. “I don’t know. He didn’t say he was dying, just that something isn’t right and any vulnerability in a king is unacceptable.”

That’s an unwelcome truth. Our strength has long protected our people from rival leaders. Any sign of frailty could invite disaster. If the wrong person were to find out there’s a chink in our armor… it wouldn’t be good for any of us.

“Let’s go back to the castle,” I suggest firmly. “You can go check on your father and I’ll arrange a dinner for us tonight with your parents. Maybe being back home with your mother will give your dad some clarity on what might be plaguing his wolf.”

His lips press tenderly to my forehead. “You are really the best mate I could have ever found.”

“I know,” I tease as I release my legs from his waist and stand on my own. “Now, come on. I need to kick my sister out of my room so you can visit tonight and there’s a dinner to plan.”

Getting out of the water first, I stand naked within the confines of the heated cave and wring my rose-gold strands out, splattering droplets on the ground.

Asher grabs the cotton towels from a wooden shelf nearby and tosses one to me as he chuckles. “We could live out here and be just fine.”

It’s a tempting thought, one I’ve entertained before. But the words I’ve just spoken are true. As much as I’ve bemoaned our duties, family and responsibility are as vital to me as they are to him. We can afford to be selfish later.

We dry off and dress quickly. As soon as we’re both ready, Asher interlaces his fingers with mine and smiles down at me, a tender notion that’s also filled with quiet strength. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“Yes, it is. No matter what happens, we’re going to face this together,” I promise with conviction. No matter how dire things might seem with his father, I know we will find our way and emerge stronger for it.

Exiting the cave, we shift back into our wolf forms and make our way to the castle. There’s no urgency this time, no racing; it’s just me and my mate, moving side by side, savoring the tranquility of our shared moments before the reality of the castle walls envelops us again.

Returning home, we’re back to poignant smiles and head nods toward those we pass. People address us, but there’s no time to stop for a visit today. Asher needs to know what’s wrong with his father and I need to make sure he has nothing else to worry about.

Once we’re on the second floor of the castle, yielding only a moderate amount of privacy, he kisses my cheek and releases my hand. “I’ll see you for dinner, if not sooner.”

“I’ll be the one in blue.” I offer him a saucy wink and he chuckles, as I expect since all royals wear the color of our flag.

“No matter what covers your body, I’ll always find you, Isobella.”

The vow in those last five words leaves me breathless as he turns to walk away. I linger, watching him disappear around the corner, my hand pressed against my heart. In this life filled with uncertainty, one thing is crystal clear: I’m incredibly fortunate to have Asher by my side.

I make my way to the third floor, where my room is. As soon as I open the door, I expect to find Este inside, but the bedroom is empty.

“Huh.” I’ll have to go find her after I speak with the kitchen staff. I pick up the white, porcelain phone in the room and am careful not to tangle the cord, as I’ve done many times before. Using the dial, I place my finger over the six and move the metal plate in a circular motion until it dings.

There’s a brief pause before Charlese answers. “Your Highness, how many I serve you today?”

“King Gideon and Prince Asher have returned,” I explain, in case she hasn’t already been made aware. “I’d like to plan a private dinner for us and the queen.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” she replies with vigor. “We have fresh fish just in today, as well as chicken or beef.” She lightly chuckles. “Or all of the above.”

“The fresh fish will be perfect, Charlese,” I tell her with a smile she can’t see. “On a bed of rice with steamed vegetables and the option of soup and salad plus the king’s favorite dessert.” At the same time, we both say, “Chocolate peanut butter pudding.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she confirms with another soft laugh. “We will have that prepared and will serve you in the royal dining room at sunset tonight.”

Ending the call, I feel a wave of gratitude for the staff, whose competence has made this daunting life a bit more bearable. If Asher is to ascend to the throne sooner than anticipated, it will undoubtedly be stressful, but at least we won’t be alone—a thought that brings me a layer of comfort.

A knock sounds at my door and I cross the bedroom to answer. “I was hoping to⁠—”

My eyes blink rapidly and air begins to leave my lungs at a rapid pace. I try to process what’s happening, but even seeing the sharp blade protruding from my chest doesn’t seem real.

I attempt to reach for the black hilt to remove the dagger, but my arms are like lead, too heavy to move. My legs give out next no matter how much I attempt to draw on my wolf’s inner strength.

“Help… me…” I croak as I collapse to the floor, but the door closes quietly and I’m all alone, confusion and fear muddling my thoughts.

Darkness begins to envelop me and my body becomes cold no matter how hard I fight to stay conscious. If I could remove the blade, my wolf energy would heal me. Yet none of my extremities respond to my commands.

I hear the quiet thud of footfalls from inside my room, which further confuses me—yet also brings me hope. A shadow looms over me and I try to see who’s there, but my vision is blurred. “Help,” I manage to whisper again.

“Shh, it’s going to be okay,” a garbled voice says. “I’m going to fix everything.”

My mind reels as I try to identify who’s speaking, or even their scent, as the intruder picks my body up, but I’m fading fast and my thoughts are singularly focused.

Asher.

The fear of dying pales in comparison to the thought of leaving him behind. We were supposed to have centuries with this life and, when it was our time, go out together. It can’t end yet. Not like this, not now.

Clinging to consciousness, I make a silent vow to him, echoing his earlier promise to me, and hope like hell he’ll know this wasn’t my choice.

I will always find you, Asher Cromwell.

This isn’t our end.

* * *

So, I know this isn’t a perfect ending, but don’t bring out the torches yet! LOL

Asher and Isobella will find each other again, I promise! This is the prequel short to their full-length book titled A Curse of Shadows, Wolves of Lunara Book One, available now!

Thank you so much for reading!