(Kael's POV)
I spent my last coin finding the Royal Healer Academy. After weeks on the road, my Alpha clothes hung in dirty strips. Only the ring looked expensive.
The diamond had cost me part of the Shadow Pack's land deeds. I closed my hand around its velvet box and approached the white marble gates.
"I am Alpha Kael of the Shadow Pack. I am here to see my mate, Elara."
A huge wolf in polished silver armor looked me over. "Your mate? Lad, the only thing you look mated to is the dirt on the road. Piss off."
"Do you know who I am? She belongs to me!"
The guard stepped forward. His power weakened my knees. "Here, you are no one. Elara belongs to herself. Leave before I remove you."
The torn bond kept pulling toward the buildings beyond him. I stayed outside the gate.
I waited.
For
