Bri/a[::nna,
 the fr`)ai!_! l werewolf princess,, w?+
%as)@ rai=;?se% )d un
)d-=er
the - prot ection of two;@$) elite* gu*ardians—Jaren an`=d C+olin—who swore?=! to marry no o^)ne b+ut her. B(+ u#t as she ;@*came of age, $the two men @ ?made%/ a [reckless bet, using a low‑status she‑wolf nam$ed Zoe to test Bri anna's feelings`.
][Zoe, je,a`lou) -s ?an!*
d)+ schem$ing, la`ced Brian)na's birt-*_hda(y c*ake with peanut butter—kno]!+w(^\ing her\+ deadly allergy. While? Brianna cho k:)ed and collapsed, Jar=?!en^, and :C%%#o: ?lin,;* :bl !i)nded by prid! e, beli)=e+%ved she wa*`?\:s faki:ng it. $%.+They i%_mprisoned her, smashed her%%@ jewels, and cr^ushed her d%ev%(otion.
Heartb +roken, Br?.iann#a fl
ed to $/the vampir#e fortress, recallin%g a : +childh@ood engagement pact with M=;;arcu` [^/s,@ ,]-% the Vampire Mona\rch—who had-@ lov+_\ed her for)# fifteen years despi,te t)[he blood feu_%d be _]t(=wee #n their race#\@s. Marcus_@ healed her,=* read he r (#memorie-s, a(= nd v-owed reveng?e].
He sent$= wedd+ i ng in]vi tations to Jaren-, Col/in,\? . an^;-!d Zoe . As they prese+
]n@ted lavish gift ^_s,_ Marc]*/us calle #d f;:or his bride—an(d Br:] ianna walked down the aisle. The th_%ree betray(ers froz e in sho :[c$[]k. @Th^+_e w=oman they had wronged= was(=\ now anothe^r ma.:!n'@`%s qu=$ ee,/.`n.