hen I first laid eyes on the imposing castle nestled in the White Mountains of Vermont, I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. As a romance writer, I've written about my fair share of beautiful places, but nothing could have prepared me for the mysteries that lay within those ancient walls – or the enigmatic being who called it home. Griiq Caind, a massive grendel, was unlike anyone I had ever met. His charcoal gray skin, dark hair, and the two short horns adorning his head spoke of a world beyond my own. But it was his eyes, filled with a profound sadness and loneliness, that drew me in. As I spent more time with Griiq, I saw past his monstrous appearance and into the heart of a compassionate leader who had sacrificed everything for his people. Despite the vast differences between us, I fell for the grendel monster. Could we overcome the many obstacles that stood between us and happiness? The world didn't look too kindly on humans mingling with the monsters.