Lucien Umbraclaw was the Panther Queen’s blade—loyal, lethal, and forged in obedience. He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t hesitate. And when his mother commanded him to hunt a girl in the Borderlands, he didn’t expect to care who she was.

Until he found her.

Evryn Hale lived quiet. Hidden. Healing the sick and minding her secrets. She didn’t know the blood in her veins once belonged to a royal line slaughtered generations ago. She didn’t know the Court feared what she might become.

And she sure as hell didn’t expect the panther prince to come for her.

He was supposed to kill her.

She was...

Lucien Umbraclaw was the Panther Queen’s blade—loyal, lethal, and forged in obedience. He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t hesitate. And when his mother commanded him to hunt a girl in the Borderlands, he didn’t expect to care who she was.

Until he found her.

Evryn Hale lived quiet. Hidden. Healing the sick and minding her secrets. She didn’t know the blood in her veins once belonged to a royal line slaughtered generations ago. She didn’t know the Court feared what she might become.

And she sure as hell didn’t expect the panther prince to come for her.

He was supposed to kill her.

She was supposed to run.

But fate has other plans. Plans written in shadow and blood, claw and bone.

Because the second Lucien looks her in the eyes—

He knows he’s already hers.

She was born to be hunted.

He was trained to obey.

But gods help the crown—he’s about to betray it.