Oaths Expire, Marks Don't

Three years after Evelyn Hall and Keller Blake sealed their betrothal oath, Keller finally arrives in Silver Fir territory with the bonding gifts meant to make their mate bond official. But before he even reaches her door, he turns the entire convoy around to recover a wolf-fang pendant for Lydia Vaughn—the woman he has chosen over Evelyn again and again. It is the third time Keller has sacrificed their future for Lydia. What he refuses to understand is that thirty-six full moons have now passed. Under Lunar Council law, his failure to deliver the promised bonding gifts automatically dissolves their oath. Keller is certain Evelyn will forgive him. After all, they grew up together, the entire North believes she belongs to him, and after waiting three years, who else would dare take her? Evelyn decides to answer that question herself. She returns Keller's tokens, burns the keepsakes of their childhood promises, and accepts a formal mate request from Ronan Grey, a respected Grey Ridge commander who offers her something Keller never did: clear terms, equal standing, and the freedom to choose. Even after Grey Ridge's bonding gifts arrive at Evelyn's home, Keller remains convinced she is only trying to make him jealous. He even takes Lydia under an archaic consort oath while casually assuring Evelyn that she can still become his primary mate later. By the time Keller finally realizes Evelyn was telling the truth, the woman he expected to wait forever is already preparing to belong to no one without her consent. The oath may have expired after thirty-six moons, but some marks are much harder to erase.