Prologue:
From a young age, Hallie knew what she wanted: to become the best warrior in the kingdom. She trained tirelessly, day and night, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. She knew that her path would be difficult, but she was determined to succeed.
As she grew older, Hallie's ambition only grew stronger. She knew that she would have to make sacrifices along the way, but she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve her dreams.
But there was one thing that Hallie never wanted: a mate. She saw the bonds that tied her friends and family together, and she knew that she didn't want that kind of attachment. She wanted to be free to pursue her own path, without anyone tying her down.
And then she met Hugh.
Hugh was unlike anyone she had ever met before. He was strong, smart, and charming, and he had a way of making her feel things that she had never felt before. Hallie tried to resist him, tried to push him away, but he was relentless.
As she trained away from home, Hallie was forced to confront her feelings for Hugh and decide what was truly important to her. Would she be able to achieve her dreams and keep her freedom, or would she give it all up for a mate who was determined not to let her go?