When Rowan Blackcliff was meant to protect her—never crave her.The imprint demanded distance, control, restraint. For years, he obeyed. Watched. Wanted in silence. Then Elara Vale’s first heat ignites the bond, turning discipline into temptation and instinct into need.At nineteen, her mark burns awake, pulling her toward the one man who has always denied her—and himself. As the moon rises, the bond twists from duty into desire, and Rowan is forced to choose: break ancient laws… or lose the woman who now owns every violent, aching part of him.Because some bonds don’t ask permission.They take.