Elara Arden, daughter of a fallen noble house, was forced to wed Cassian Ashbourne — the fearsome “Blood Lion” who struck terror across the Empire — to spare her family’s lives. Rumour painted Cassian as a cold-blooded warlord guarding the Northern Marches, ruthless in battle, and harbouring a bloodthirsty beast within that lost control beneath the full moon. On their wedding day, Elara concealed a dagger beneath her gown, resolved to die alongside the monster on their wedding night. Yet when the full moon rose, Cassian tore off his military uniform and shifted right before her eyes. Instead of a lion, a colossal long-haired calico cat emerged, larger than a warhorse, its fur swirled with black, white, copper and orange. It bore imposing golden beast eyes, yet could only let out thunderous meows. It tackled Elara to shower her face with licks, rub against her and knead her clothes. It overturned furniture, shredded curtains and left the bridal chamber in ruins. To safeguard the secret that could destroy Cassian, Elara faced the priest and guards who burst in to investigate. She claimed the chaos stemmed merely from her husband’s fervour on their wedding night, deflecting suspicion from him for the first time. Cardinal Severin Crowe, ruler of the Church, had long coveted Cassian’s military authority and northern territories. He branded all beastfolk as abominations, sending assassins to storm the castle again and again. He deployed silver tableware, poisoned wine and threatene
