Page 1 of King of Pride and Talons

ONE

THORNE

Thorne Bawold lounged lazily on the stone seat in his extravagant grotto. His tan, bare chest gleamed in the sunlight as the water droplets from his recent dip highlighted his muscular physique. He felt the water slide down his chest and under his waistband, welcoming the cooling effect of the warm sun.

His grotto was on the edge of his mansion, partially natural but had been expanded by the kings of the Bawold Savanna Kingdom before him.

As he closed his eyes and took in the sun rays. He had it made. “Not that I don’t deserve it,” he rumbled to himself.

His kingdom was not only prosperous under his rule but peaceful as well. Not only that, but Thorne was at his prime in life. A smile skirted across his sleepy face as he thought about all of the women he’d bedded.

He’d never been rejected, king or not. Some women found him more alluring because of his crown, but that didn’t bother him. He wasn’t keeping any of them.

Thorne was tall, broad, and muscular. His shoulder-length blonde hair represented the color of his mane perfectly when he was in lion form. He knew how attractive he was, and he used it to his advantage.

That same golden-blonde hair was loose from its usual ponytail as he lay on the warm stone, fondly thinking about the last rendezvous he had. He scratched the short stubble he’d let grow since the previous day’s shave as he felt himself harden at how he had taken her… Ashley, maybe? Right there on that very rock.

Though the sex had been great, he noticed that it was not much of a fun game to him now that he knew he’d win. Then, once the game was over, he’d see the girl around but never confide in her or choose to spend time with her. They would leave and he’d be left there still trying to figure out issues with his pride, feeling no real release at all.

That’s when it hit him how empty his life felt.

“Excuse me, sire?”

“Yes?” Thorne turned toward Marshall, a member of his staff.

“I know you said to not disturb you, but Queen Cassia Wyeberry has arrived requesting to talk to you. She says it’s urgent.”

A heavy, loud sigh expelled from him. “Yeah, I bet it is,” Thorne grumbled under his breath. He knew why she was here.

Thorne sat up and grabbed a hair tie from his wrist to throw his locks back. Cassia was infatuated with him enough. He didn’t need to lead her on.

“Let her through after I grab a shirt.” The king stood and was blindsided by a swiftly moving Cassia.

“There’s no need, casual’s fine, dear.” She smirked as she showed herself through and stood before him. “Thorne, I’m glad you have time. We need to talk.” Cassia was already babbling before she even reached him.

“If this is about me not wanting to marry you, then –”

“You know that it makes the most sense for both of us. Me being the queen of your neighboring territory is not the only big thing at stake here.”

She was as calm and rational as ever. It wasn’t that Thorne didn’t find her an asset or even unattractive, but there was just something about her that didn’t do it for him. Maybe it was the fact she was past child-bearing age.

“Our alliance will put you in even better standing than you already are. It will create connections that will improve your pride. There are endless positives to this marriage.”

Thorne cast his silvery-blue eyes on the middle-aged queen. She was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. It was one of the reasons Thorne had wanted to avoid talking to her face-to-face about his decision.

“Listen, I understand what you’re saying. I really do. But I’ve made my choice, Cassia.”

The queen’s optimistic lips pulled slightly into a firm line.

“I informed you about my decision to pursue my fated mate. I respect you.” He wasn’t lying. He was searching for his fated mate, but he wasn’t putting much effort into it either—like none. He stepped down from his rock to stand before Cassia.

“I know you are well-regarded in the supernatural world not only for your wisdom but your face and diplomacy,” he said. “I didn’t mean to cause offense to such a generous offer. Nor do I want to cause a rift between our kingdoms by rejecting the marriage contract.” The apology was necessary. He meant it, but he also couldn’t lose favor with Cassia.

She and her late husband had become well-known and favored among the shifters. They benefited greatly from their--or rather now--her connection to the human territories among other things.

Cassia was silent for a moment as if choosing her next words were of utter importance.

“Let me remind you that I am a champion of peace as well as an advocate for alliances between different supernatural factions.”

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