Chapter 53. The Strength of a Mate

Xavier had left the royal estate earlier, and though he didn’t tell her exactly where he was going, she read his mind and saw that it was some sort of trade that had to do with a thousand gold coins. She asked him what it was about, and he said a trade. When she asked if he would be back for their shift, he told her he wouldn’t miss it for the world. It was a commitment, and she always came first. He returned about an hour ago, and though he didn’t come into her room, she could hear his voice from where he stood. He spoke about the territories to be maintained during the shift for those who wanted to shift with their mates.

“The moon is at its peak,” Xavier announced as he stepped into the room to find Mia at the window.

She had stayed here a while, staring through the window at the almost-setting moon then. She had longed for the full moon after coming to shore. No, she didn’t have to shift on the full moon; she needed to. Though nothing was mandated a shift during the