The poisoned Wolf King starts the Trial of the Moon: the victor will marry Princess Sylvara and inherit the throne. Kael, a wolfless outcast of Blood Moon, endures ten years in hiding and masters wine magic. He defeats the three Direwolf leaders, then uses the Lunar Judgment to expose his uncle Valaric for poisoning his father and stealing his wolf spirit. Valaric allies with Malakar, King of the Direwolves, and unleashes a mist to enslave the pack. Kael and Sylvara recognize each other; after she marks him, his wolf spirit returns stronger. He reverses Malakar’s ritual with blue fire, defeats him, exiles Valaric, and finally takes the crown and marries Sylvara.
