Dire Bound (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1)

Meryn Cooper has always resented the Bonded—elite warriors who form mental connections with massive direwolves and live in luxury while others struggle. When her sister Saela is kidnapped across the border by immortal monsters, Meryn enlists in the army to rescue her. Thrown into the deadly Bonding Trials, Meryn must survive four months of training at the castle. She is paired with a feral direwolf that refuses to communicate, faces hostility from other trainees, and must navigate the challenges posed by her cold instructor, Stark Therion. The crown prince's attention toward her creates additional complications in an environment where alliances are dangerous and secrets abound. Meryn must bond with her direwolf, survive the trials, and navigate the deadly politics of the castle, where failure means ruin. The book contains graphic violence and is recommended for readers 17+.