Ella survives an encounter in the forest when an enigmatic alpha named Lake defends her from harm, marking her skin during an overwhelming surge of wolf instinct. Returning home, she encounters cold cruelty from her father and scheming stepsister, who command her to marry the reputedly incapacitated crown prince in a sacrificial political union.
Terrified that imperial elders will execute her for dishonor, Ella intentionally scars her own flesh to mask her mate brand. Little does she suspect that her mysterious forest savior and the supposedly frail royal heir awaiting her at the palace altar are the exact same man.
