**Gaia’s POV**

The forest path felt narrower than it had moments ago, the golden afternoon light fracturing through the canopy like scattered warnings. My heart still hammered from the conversation with Joels—his desperate plea that I become Astrein’s Chosen Mate for the sake of the Harcourt name, my sharp rejection, the way his face had crumpled like parchment in fire. I was not a bargaining chip. I was Gaia Kentus, daughter of Leo Kentus, the man who had chosen us when blood ...