Dire Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, #1)

by Sable Sorensen

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my twenty-three years alive, it’s this: Women in pain give men confidence.

The Bonded are the king’s most elite forces, soldiers who have mental bonds with massive, fearsome direwolves. They ride the wolves into battle and, rumor has it, the riders can even tap into the magic that the direwolves wield.

My pulse speeds up as I clock the tattoos completely covering his neck, his hands. Not much makes me afraid, but this? Run, a self-preserving, animalistic part of me cries. Danger.

And there HE IS ( I hope)

Crown Prince Killian descends to the balcony while I stand there frozen, my whole world crumbling around me. And then, seated at his father’s side, he lifts his head and looks right at me, dark blue eyes filled with regret. My heart cracks. Lee.

To my surprise, Anassa stirs at this—her low growl fills my head.

Uh oh

Anassa’s voice fills my head, thick with wrath. “Some people deserve to die.”

Relief, fear, and something that looks almost like triumph. At the same moment, Anassa’s attention focuses on what we’re doing. Her sudden interest pulses through the bond. “What do you care about a necklace?” I ask. No answer. Just that sense of Anassa listening, watching.

Oh?

“The Strategos direwolves have convened and chosen their next leader. Anassa. You are the new Strategos Alpha.”

Oh! No shit huh

And in case my implication is not crystal fucking clear: You touch her again and I’ll cull you myself.”

YWS HE WILL

The castle has secrets I’ll probably never uncover.”

I don’t like that

The castle has secrets I’ll probably never uncover. Strange. He’s the crown prince—shouldn’t he have access to every part of the castle? Shouldn’t he know all its nooks and crannies?

Yeah because what

turning to face Anassa. For a moment, I think I see something in her eyes, sense something in the bond, but then it’s gone, whatever it was.

Ooooo

Suddenly Stark is on me, his face thunderous, backing me into the tiny corner. “Who did this to you?” he demands ferociously, one calloused hand clamping hotly on my thigh.

YES UES YES YES

As the discussion of strategy continues, I find my gaze drawn back to the portrait of Lucien Brightbane. Why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before?

Oh?

“Hide the journals,” Anassa growls suddenly

Yup. Can’t trust him

Then, the sound of children’s voices.

WHAT FO YOU MRAN

There’s someone else I do trust, who has always prioritized me. Who looks out for me. Who understands my pain and tends to my wounds. Who tells me everything he knows. Killian

No no no no no no no non don’t tell him

“All the Rawbonds go to the king to receive his blessing as they become Bonded,” he tells me. “That will be your opportunity. You’ll have to strike then, and you can’t falter or you’ll fail.”

I DO NOT TRUST THIS MF

“Anassa!” I scream as I watch her fall. I whip back around, and for a single instant, I see something. I swear I see it. He covers it up quickly, but… Killian’s lips turn upward. It’s a tiny satisfied twitch, his eyes glinting blue, his gaze calculating. Then the pain. Something slams into the back of my skull, snuffing out my light.

I FUCKING KNEW IT

“I’m the rightful queen of Nocturna, aren’t I?” I ask. Stark’s eyes spark, he takes a single step back, and he bows down on one knee, hand to his chest. “Welcome home, my queen.”

SMASH SMASH SMAHS I mean yay! I knew it

“Do you have any idea what it felt like to watch you at the Forging Ball in the dress I picked for you”—What?!—“swirling

Knew it

“Give me the word and I’ll tear out his throat. All the lives I’ve ever taken were just training for this moment, my queen. Make me your instrument of vengeance. Let my hands act out your every savage, depraved thought. Use me. I’m yours.” Mine. My psycho asshole. My bloodthirsty killer.

AS FUCK

Saela twists toward me with terrifying speed. Her body locks into place, feral. There’s blood all over her mouth and chin. She snaps at Grigore with… with fangs. “A Siphon!” he shouts.

No no no no no

I am Meryn Sturmfrost, Queen of Nocturna, and I will use the twisting dark in my bones and my blood to hunt Killian Valtiere to the ends of the earth.

As fuck I know that’s right