PREFACE~

I am the Queen of Animal Shifters, or Type A Shifters. It is a very secret kingdom, for even most of the magical realm is oblivious about it. Even so, some of the magical realm must know about it because when I was a mere girl, the kingdom was attacked. Most of the guards were killed and so was my mother.

I remember it perfectly. I was stumbling through the halls, on my tiny four year old legs. I burst into a room that I thought would be safe to hide in-only to find my mother being raped. I remember screaming so loud and for so long. One of the men who were holding my mother down came over to me and bashed me in my head. I blacked out to my mother screaming my name. When I awoke, she lay still on the bed. As I approached her, I saw there was blood pooling all around her. Her body was in a position that, if she were alive, would be highly uncomfortable. And her eyes and mouth were still wide open. I suppose she was screaming when she died.

For years I searched for my mother’s killers. I found nothing. It began to consume my life, my time, and all of my energy. My father told me it was time to give up. So I did.

Now it I am 16. In three days, I will turn 17 and I will be at the age of mating. Suitors from all around the kingdom will try to court me and I will choose which one I feel will make the best king. Father says I should try and actually fall in love but I believe after my mother died, I am not capable of love. My father said that’s absurd. I said that’s realistic. My father and I don’t agree often. Ah well.