[COMPLETE] What life is left for a warrior when there is no more enemy to fight? ...He knelt before her in the posture of a soldier giving honor to their Queen. And she didn't even know it. “Harth," he rasped, "I come empty-handed. I bring no weapon. Because I swear to you, I will never choose to harm you. Never draw your blood—in anger, or in fear. I bring no shield. Because I vow I will never defend myself from your eyes, your hands, your mind. I am yours.” ***** After a year of peace in Anima, Tarkyn finds himself... lonely. As the Captain of the Queen's Guard and a lion-shifter, he has met every female in the tribes, but never found his mate. Certain he must have overlooked someone, Tarkyn undertakes a grueling ritual, pleading with the Creator to reveal her. But the ritual presses him to the end of even his formidable strength. Yet, the Creator heard his cry... Discovered on the brink of death by his mate, Harth, and nursed back to health, Tarkyn now faces the most difficult battle of his life. Because Harth isn’t just a stranger to the Anima, she is a weapon of the humans who tried to destroy them. Can the love of a warrior and his enemy bring peace to Anima? Or will they be torn apart forever by war between their peoples? ***** STANDALONE STORY: While Tarkyn's story is a part of the Anima world and fans will be reunited with some of their favorites as side-characters, Tarkyn and Harth are new POV characters and their story is a new plot arc, so their story can be enjoyed without reading the previous books! But please add Falling in Love with the King of Beasts, and Taming the Queen of Beasts to your library to enjoy later! Cover Art by artist: Aenaluck. Find more incredible art and support the artist on www.patreon.com/aenaluck
If you like music while you read, try "What a Wonderful World" by AG + Reuben and the Dark. It sets just the right tone for the next few chapters!
*****
~ ZEV ~
When the howl rose in the distance, Zev swallowed hard, heart thumping in his ears.
They knew he was coming. They knew his mate was here, and their son—or they would, soon enough.
Did a baby release as much scent as an adult? Were they less likely to scent Zan? Zev hoped so.
Swallowing down the clench of fear in his gut, he started forward, eyes sharp on the treeline, waiting for the inevitable shadows that would appear before his people…
They would rush him, he realized, and he had to stifle a shudder.
Among the Chimeran wolves, greetings after a long absence were… enthusiastic. The males would approach first to test his scent and share theirs. He would be wrestled and pressed and touched and buried under a pack.
His entire body went rigid and his breath got short.