Mated

I was born a princess, a bargaining chip in a kingdom desperate to survive.
Across the twenty realms-ten ruled by humans, ten by monsters-alliances were rare, fragile things.
When my father promised me to the monster king of one of the savage realms, I knew it wasn't a love match they bargained me for.
It was to forge a powerful alliance.
I told myself I could endure it-that it was for my kingdom and people. I'd sacrifice myself for the hope it helped others.
I could stand proud and bold at my monster husband's side, untouched by the darkness that surrounded him. But the moment I met him, all my carefully built walls crumbled.
He was brutal, clever, and dangerous. He didn't want a queen to parade in front of the realms.
He wanted a mate to own. Possess.
My monster husband took me, claimed me, and shattered everything I thought I knew about my life and the world.
And somewhere between the bruising kisses and the cruel tenderness only I ever saw, I knew the truth.
I could never tame him.
And the secret I'd never admit to anyone else?
I didn't want to.