A forced marriage, a reluctant Alpha, and a human woman fate refuses to let go.

Athena Chapman knows better than to believe in fairytales. Still, a part of her—buried under lesson plans and dog-eared shifter romance novels—hopes that somewhere out there, her villain is waiting.

The one who will fight for her, claim her, and finally make her feel seen.

But villains don’t come wrapped in moonlight and mystery. They come in the form of unwanted proposals and cruel ultimatums. With time running out, Athena escapes to the one place she still feels safe—only to run straight into Draco Blackwood.

The billionaire Alpha with...

A forced marriage, a reluctant Alpha, and a human woman fate refuses to let go.

Athena Chapman knows better than to believe in fairytales. Still, a part of her—buried under lesson plans and dog-eared shifter romance novels—hopes that somewhere out there, her villain is waiting.

The one who will fight for her, claim her, and finally make her feel seen.

But villains don’t come wrapped in moonlight and mystery. They come in the form of unwanted proposals and cruel ultimatums. With time running out, Athena escapes to the one place she still feels safe—only to run straight into Draco Blackwood.

The billionaire Alpha with a dangerous past. The same man who looks right through her. The one her soul seems to recognize… even if he clearly wants nothing to do with her.

Draco has no interest in fairy tales or fated mates—especially not now. With his father’s pack unraveling and the future of his bloodline on the line, the last thing he needs is a human woman who smells like trouble and stirs something primal inside him.

But fate doesn’t care about timing. And it never plays fair.

As danger closes in and enemies circle, Draco and Athena must decide if the bond between them is a curse… or the one thing powerful enough to change everything.