1. Thorne

ONE

THORNE

T horne 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."

"I understand that. I hope we can still be allies and work well with one another. I never meant to disrespect you."

Cassia straightened her shoulders and the pull of a smile appeared again. "While the merger of our kingdoms would be beneficial to many, I support your decision to search for your true fated mate," she said, stilted yet diplomatically.

Expecting more of a fight, Thorne was taken aback by the queen's words.

"Thank you for your understanding." He nodded in appreciation.

She nodded in turn. Then she sighed, shook her head, and looked at him. "In that case, I actually have a surprise for you," she said with a great deal of reluctance.

If Thorne had been shocked before, he was even more so now.

"You can't blame me for trying to get you to agree to the contract, but I know you're a man of your word. So, in honor of that and to prove to you that I am in full support of your decision, I've had a witch do a location spell on your fated mate."

Thorne was speechless. He wasn't prepared to put managing his pride on hold for such a big--change.

"Cassia, I don't know what to say… Did it work?"

Her smile became smug, and he had his answer.

"It did."

"Why… why would you go through the trouble for me?"

Cassia shrugged her elegant shoulders and clasped her hands in front of her.

"I had the privilege to have many wonderful years with my husband before his tragic passing. There's no reason you don't deserve the same."

The lion king's mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Cassia stepped forward with a look of concern.

"Is that not what you wanted?"

"No. No, I did. It's just… I just thought it was going to take time for me to find her." He ran his hand roughly over the back of his neck before shaking off the doubt.

"Well, it would have. That's why I saved you the trouble. Now, from what I'm told, her name is Breya."

Thorne's dazed mind tried to keep up with Cassia's endless surprises.

"Breya?" was all that he could get out before she continued.

"Mmm-hmm. And she lives in the human territory. She's a healer."

That was the least surprising thing Cassia had said since she announced finding his mate.

Of course, his mate was a healer. It was common throughout the history of kings to have a witch as a mate. Not only did it enhance the king's powers, but the witch's as well due to the bond. They would make a powerful duo.

Thorne ran his hand over his scruff in thought.

"It's been a few generations since a Bawold king has taken a witch consort. Especially in your line with your mother and grandmother being lionesses."

Thorne began to pace, his inner lion feeling restless.

"You're worried about how your pride will take this, aren't you?"

It was true; Cassia was astute.

"Yes. I'm not sure how they will react. They're not ones for change."

"None of us are. It's smart to keep them in your decision."

Thorne kept his eyes distant and continued stroking his jaw. While in thought, he encircled Cassia—a habit of his lion's stalking.

"Nonetheless," he finally said. "I'm the king and I want my fated mate. I'll handle the reaction of the pride after I've mated… Breya, is it?"

"Yes. But are you sure you can go against them if they disapprove? I don't mean to overstep, but I do not think it wise."

Before Thorne could protest, Cassia continued. "But it is your choice, and I will respect it. You are the king and, as you have said, you are allowed to make it. Here is her information." She held out a folded piece of paper.

Thorne stopped pacing and snatched it, suddenly hungry for the details.

"Good luck."

"Thank you." She turned again to leave, but Thorne grabbed the queen's hand. "Sincerely. Both for understanding my desire for love over politics and for taking the initiative to find her for me. You are a valued ally, and I hope you can consider me a friend." He kissed her hand, and a rose-tinted blush spread over her cheeks.

"Of course."

As Cassia exited, Marshall entered.

"I need you to get a team together." Thorne gave him the paper. "Get ready to go and fetch my mate."

He watched his man walk away and doubt began to creep in. It was a foreign feeling for him.

Was he sure he was ready for this?