A Heart So Dark And Lonely [t.n]

Prologue

    Winter was upon them. The village was pillowed with soft snow, turning everything into a blissful winter wonderland.

Theo sat by the fire, observing his surroundings with quiet eyes as his hands were preoccupied with sharpening a dagger.

An ugly emotion reared its head inside of him. He pictured it in his beast form. Fangs bared as a growl rumbled deep in its chest.

All around the young man were painful reminders of what he lacked. A constant mockery.

Theo's eyes were narrowed into slits as he noticed a young couple walking into the center. Their heads were bent together as they talked in hushed whispers, pure happiness reflected on their faces.

He quickly looked away, back to the shine of his blade, when he felt a hollow ache inside his chest.

In two days, Theo will turn twenty-four.

    And he has yet to meet his mate.