“We all want the same happy outcome,” Talbot said quietly. “But mating is bigger than just finding ‘the one.’ It’s about two souls who complement each other perfectly, who together are stronger and wiser than either could be alone.”
Myron snorted. “When did you get so philosophical?”
Talbot grinned crookedly. “What can I say? Almost getting killed makes you reevaluate things.”
Just days ago, he’d narrowly escaped the deadly inferno that engulfed their former stronghold. Talbot was still coming to terms with the fact that his uncle had brought the kingdom to the brink of ruin... and that the task of restoring it now fell to him. Not just restoring it physically but regaining their honor and respect from the other kingdoms. It was a challenge he both welcomed and resented.
As if sensing his dark thoughts, Slick clapped him on the back. “Hey, we’re with you. KOV will rise again, and we’ll make sure it’s done the right way this time.”
“And we won’t be forced by Azure to abduct humans,” Myron added.
Slick nodded. “Also a good point.”
Talbot smiled gratefully. “I know. Just proves I can always count on you two troublemakers.”
Myron threw a balled-up shirt at Talbot’s head. “Who are you calling troublemaker, Mr. Goody Two-Shoes?”
Their laughter and banter eased some of the tension that had been coiled in Talbot’s chest. With his closest friends at his side, perhaps hecouldlead their people back into the light. If anyone deserved a fresh start, a new beginning, it was the innocents of KOV.
An image of the Dire Wolf’s brave mate flashed in his mind. Katy had shown true courage in the face of evil. Because of her selflessness, the entire supernatural world had been shaken awake. News of the sacrifice she’d agreed to make had traveled from one king to the next until all ten kingdoms had heard the story. And it was eye-opening, to say the least, that someone who’d been treated horribly by their kind would give up her life for others.
Things were changing. Talbot could feel it in the air as tangibly as an electrical current. The Creator was on the move,and woe to any who stood in the path of His justice. Visata was calling them all to walk the right path once more.
We will answer that call, Talbot vowed. The Kingdom of Venom would rise from the ashes. He only prayed that his mate, wherever she was, could sense that change was coming as well. That despite the darkness in their past, hope still lingered.
“We should get moving if we want to make that meeting.” Slick’s voice broke into Talbot’s thoughts. “Ready to go be all official as the new heir apparent?”
Talbot took a deep breath and let it out. “I just want to help our people heal and move forward, not get mired in politics.”
Myron grinned. “Gage told us to think of who would make a good king. You’re the first one that popped into our minds. You care more about doing what’s right than power or status. That’s why you’re the right reptile for the job. And of course it helps that you’re related to the current king, next in line to the throne and all that.”
Talbot hoped Myron was right. The burden of leadership weighed heavily, but he would bear it for the chance to show the supernatural world that KOV could become a force for good. They would no longer be bound by the sins of the past. The road ahead would not be easy, but Talbot would walk it with faith. And someday, he prayed, fate would finally lead him to the female meant to rule at his side.
His one true mate awaited him out there. And when they found each other at last, it would be the start of an epic love story generations would tell. A story of courage, sacrifice, and redemption. Visata had seen fit to give them a second chance. This time, they would get it right.
Chapter One
I’ll Find Another Way. I Swear It.
“If I never hear the word ‘sacrifice’ again, it would still be too soon.” ~ Gage
“Have you lost your ever-loving mind?” Katy practically shouted into the phone. “Don’t answer that question,” she quickly added. “I already know the answer because only a crazy person would kill a part of themself that they only just discovered.”
“So only you get to decide to sacrifice yourself?” Lola’s voice came through so loudly that Katy pulled the phone away from her ear. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, Katy. There are other people who are going to be affected by your choice.”
Katy stood from where she sat on the bed and paced. She forced herself to remember that she loved the person on the other end of the call. Finally, after biting her tongue severaltimes, she responded. “You don’t think I know that?” The words were growled so low that Katy couldn’t believe the sound had come from her. “Don’t you think that I’ve thought this decision through from every angle? That I haven’t agonized over what it will do to my dad, or you and Maddie, Gage, or Otto?”
“I’m trying to prevent you from having to do that,” Lola pleaded. “This way we both live, and so do those women. Why can’t you see that this is a better solution?”
“Because any solution that requires you to give up a part of your soul is never a solution.” Katy’s tone softened. “I would never in a million years allow you to do such a thing, and I won’t allow it now. And I swear on all that is holy, Lola Katz, if you do this behind my back, I will never forgive you.”
“Katy,” Gage’s deep voice rumbled into the room, laced with warning. “Be careful what you promise.”
She turned to look at him and wished she hadn’t. His face was partially shadowed by the lack of light in the hall behind him, and what she could see were sharp lines and cold eyes. Katy pressed her lips together, barely reigning in the furious words that begged for release. She was tempted to tell Gage exactly where he could shove his warning, but the thunderous look on his handsome face gave her pause.
Shooting him a quelling glare, she ground out, “Lola, give me a sec.” Before her friend could argue, Katy hit mute and rounded on her mate.
“Don’t you dare try to police what I say to my best friend,” she snapped, jabbing a finger at his chest. Her earlier sympathy vanished in a flash of temper. “You don’t get to control me or my choices, Gage. Back the hell off.”
