Chapter 1

Five years ago, I lost my world to fire and blood.

Now, I’m a single mother in a forgotten town, guarding a secret that could restart a war.

My son has furry ears and sharp teeth. He is the last heir of the Lycan King.

I thought we were safe... until He found us.

The King’s brother. The ruthless Alpha.

And he’ll burn the world to ashes to take what belongs to him.

...

"Lior, ears in! Now!"

I hissed, frantically pulling the woolen beanie down until it nearly covered his eyebrows.

One fuzzy, gray triangle was still twitching defiantly against the fabric.

Living in Silver Falls meant hiding in plain sight.

Local legends spoke of "The Howl" on full-moon nights to keep naughty children in bed, but the town had no idea the real "monster" was currently eating chicken nuggets at my kitchen table.

I once stopped my son from biting a mailman.

Last week, he accidentally howled at the moon during a spelling test.

Today, he grew wolf ears at breakfast.

Lior looked up, his molten gold eyes shimmering with ancient power.

"What are the rules, Lior?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"No teeth, no ears, no glowing eyes, and don't scare the humans," he recited, his voice small but steady.

I kissed his forehead, sent him to the bus, and headed to the diner.

Three years ago, I arrived here with nothing but a secret.

Now, I was the town's favorite cook, blending into the aroma of grilled onions and sea salt.

But at 2:00 PM, the school called.

"Miss Elara," the principal wiped sweat from his brow.

"He didn't just push the boy. He... he smashed a solid oak desk with his bare hand."

Lior stood tall, uninjured and defiant, while the other boy sobbed with a small scratch on his arm.

"Is this how you raise him?" the mother shrieked. "Look at my baby!"

"Sorry-"

I apologized profusely, but Lior’s eyes flared.

"I'm not sorry! He said my Dad is never coming back. He lied! I have a Dad, he's just... very busy!"