Contents
12 Stark
Overview
Stark escorts Noemi to Eisenfall to secure the family’s attendance at Meryn’s coronation. After open disrespect and a cousin’s vile taunt, Stark kills the offender and coerces Lord Eisenfall into compliance. Word spreads that Rabenfrost shelters Killian. A sudden bond flare links Meryn and Stark; they clash over his ruthless methods before he severs the connection and departs.
Summary
Riding Cratos to clear his head, Stark broods over duty, Killian’s broadcast, and his dangerous attraction to Queen Meryn, heightened by the wolves’ mate bond. Camping with Noemi, he recalls their shared upbringing and vows to protect her as they prepare to face her abusive Eisenfall kin.
They arrive in pristine, ostentatious Eisenfall, where servants ignore Noemi’s status. In a crowded great hall, a misogynistic song underscores the court’s decadence. Lord Eisenfall greets Noemi with froideur and evasions, hinting at loyalty to the Valtiere line and asking what Meryn offers.
When a drunken cousin crudely insults Noemi, Stark impels him into a wall, killing him instantly. Using the shock, Stark threatens the lord with the Bonded’s force unless he attends the coronation; Lord Eisenfall yields. Rumors confirm Rabenfrost is sheltering Killian, revealing a growing opposition.
As Stark and Noemi withdraw, Meryn’s sudden mental connection surges through the mate bond, sensing his anger. She presses for answers and condemns a fear-driven approach; Stark argues fear is necessary to ensure attendance amid her terrifying reputation. Their exchange strains their fragile alliance, and Stark slams the connection shut.
Stark and Noemi depart immediately for Nachtfall, having secured Eisenfall’s appearance through intimidation and marked the widening fault lines between Meryn’s ideals and Stark’s ruthless pragmatism.
Who Appears
- Stark (Valstark)Alpha enforcer; secures Eisenfall’s attendance by killing a cousin and threatening the lord; clashes mentally with Meryn.
- Noemi EisenfallPhylax and Stark’s childhood companion; returns to abusive family; endures disrespect and relies on Stark’s protection.
- Lord EisenfallNoemi’s father; dismissive, hints at Valtiere loyalty; capitulates after Stark’s lethal display.
- Meryn SturmfrostQueen; senses Stark via bond surge, objects to coercive killings, argues for belief over fear.
- Drunken Eisenfall cousinInsults Noemi lewdly; Stark impels him into a wall, killing him and silencing the hall.
- CratosStark’s direwolf; hunts, offers protection for Noemi, and maintains shields on the mate bond.
- Lady EisenfallCurrent young wife; observes tensely beside the lord during the confrontation.
- EphyseNoemi’s direwolf; hunts a rabbit and accompanies the journey to Eisenfall.