THE BEGINNING OF THE ENDTHE COPPERY SMELL OF BLOOD in the air. The mangled wedding flowers about us. The feel of my silk, once beautiful wedding dress. The utter silence in the hall.None of it compared to the power rush I felt in that instant as I struggled to walk on my trembling legs.His hand held my wrist. The wedding ribbon still bound us tightly as everyone present went on their knees and pressed their foreheads to the floor in respect.My coronation. Married and marked by the Lycan King.Full power at its peak and Rowena wasn't here to feel it. My knees buckled and his hand came around my waist.Gently but firmly guiding me as we walked out of the wedding hall. The end of Lady Ira but the beginning of the rest of my life.I'm ashamed to admit I passed out. My body has been trained to withstand pain but without my power, I didn't stand a chance.The rattling movement of the carriage over the cobblestone road woke me up.I was in his arms. Slowly, I raised my head to have my first real look at the man who saved me.My mate. My husband. My king.His eyes were trained on the road outside, looking out the window.Hard.The first thought that entered my mind.He looked like some Greek statue but made of something stronger. Like he was hewn from granite.His chiseled jaw was clean-shaven and his dark hair fell in curls at the nape of his neck. Attractive."Are you done?"I jerked back pulling our hands back as he turned those cold eyes on me."I… I just—"Flustered, I cleared my throat and blinked. "I apologize,"He gave a single nod and started to turn his head back to the window."Wait—"He turned back to me.I swallowed and tried to give a small smile. "I– We don't have to remained tied together,"Already his white shirt had been stained with my blood in several places."Let me just loosen—" I made to untie the wedding ribbon."Leave it," His voice was just like him. Cold and unfeeling."But the—""You're not fully healed,"I felt naked as his steel eyes ran over me with a modicum of irritation. "You lost your power. As an Omega, you'll die without your wolf to heal you,"Pain lanced through me at the sudden reminder of my loss. I blinked uncomfortably. "You're healing me… through the bond?"He didn't reply. Just stared at me in that cold aggravating manner that has began to annoy me. But I knew I was right. My wounds had mostly closed up. I could breath well and my limbs didn't hurt with every movement."Well?" I probed. "It's true then? You're my mate? This marriage is real?""You're Akira Ishida," He replied coolly, his voice dripping with thinly veiled disgust. "You've lost your power. You're a weak Omega,""Thanks for the enlightening discovery," I rolled my eyes."Listen," He turned to me. His eyes pierced me as his voice took on the first hint of emotion. "My father was killed,"Fear raced down my spine immediately and I shook my head. "I I didn't kill him,"True the capital was agog with news of the former Lycan's death. And yes everyone blames me for it but I'm not responsible."I promise," My eyes darted around the carriage. Searching for a quick escape. "I swear by Selene, I I didn't kill the Lycan. I–""I know," He cut me off curtly.Relief flooded me and I sighed. "Oh okay. But wait–"I cocked my head suspiciously. "How do you know that?"His face was always hard but his eyes. Those stormy irises went ice cold for a second. "Not important,""I—""You will find the real killer,"My jaw went slack as I stared at him in disbelief. "You. Want me. To find the real killer?""I'm not in the habit of repeating myself," He waved my shock off. "You will of course be provided with the resources you need to aid your quest. Seeing as the real killer is an assassin like yourself. I'm sure the Assassin's Guild—""Is that what this marriage is? A QUEST?" My ears smarted in anger as I glared at him."You just need me to go against General Nakim and find your father's killer?" I pushed against him angrily.The stupid wedding ribbon prevented me from moving to the opposite end of the carriage."I refuse! I won't be some pawn in your stupid game! I WILL NOT GO AGAINST MY MASTER JUST BECAUSE—"He pulled his wrist and my stupid weak body went flying into his chest."Now Listen Closely," His voice was low yet my entire body froze as his power rushed over my skin. "If you think for one second that I married you because I was being benevolent or because of a stupid mate bond then you thought wrong,"My entire frame began to shake. "But the mate bond—""It's real yes," He chuckled humorlessly. "Selene has a sense of humor giving me an Omega killer for a mate. But that has nothing to do with why I married you. You're weak now. I could just easily snap your neck or throw you back to Blood Moon,"Every fight in my body seemed to bleed out as I went slack against his chest just breathing and holding back tears."I married you for one reason and one reason only,""To find your father's killer," My voice sounded emotionless. Even to my ears."You have six months,"He moved his wrist back, moving me from his chest to the seat. "Six months to be my queen and find the real killer. Or–""Or you'll return me to Bood Moon. And If I refuse?""Then you go back, now,"I gave a nod. The reality of my situation sinking in.Six months to betray my master. Six months to be High Luna. To hold the most power in Ganan fortress. Six months to find the killer masking as me."If I find the killer? What happens to me?"I could feel Lycan Kael's eyes on me as he spoke. "Perhaps I'll let you keep your newfound crown,"Perhaps. An uncertain word. Yet it was a fate better than death."Okay," The word left my tongue feeling dry.Rowena is no longer with me. I'm wolfless and powerless but I am Akira Ishida. There's a reason, my name strikes terror in Ganan.All I need to do is find the real killer. I may not have powers but I'm still Ganan's Assassin. It's time to do what I do best. HUNT."Get ready," Lycan Kael's cool voice washed over me as the carriage drew to a stop."It's time to meet the rest of the royal family,"