Dungeon Chains and Destiny

Munro MacRieve, a nine-hundred-year-old Lykae warrior, is imprisoned and tortured by the Forgotten, a sect of warlocks seeking to enslave his powerful beast. Despite relentless pain and the threat of being turned into a mindless vassal, Munro clings to hope and his iron will. The warlocks' true aim is to use his bite to create an army of Lykae slaves. When they present him with Kereny Codrina, a mortal woman stolen from her wedding, Munro's world shifts: his Instinct screams she is his fated mate. But she is dying from a warlock's curse, and Munro faces an impossible choice—let her die or bite her, risking her soul and his own freedom.

The Bite That Kills

With Kereny's life slipping away, Munro makes the agonizing decision to bite her, hoping to turn her into a Lykae and save her from the warlocks' curse. Kereny, proud and fiercely independent, begs him not to, but Munro cannot let his mate die. The transformation fails; Kereny dies in his arms, cursing him with her last breath. The warlocks force Munro to dispose of her body, deepening his despair. Grief-stricken and vassaled, Munro's rage boils over, fueling his beast to break free from magical control. He vows to defy fate and time itself to reclaim his lost mate.

Bride Stolen From Time

Munro learns the Forgotten possess a time-travel gateway. Driven by grief and hope, he forces a warlock to send him back to the night of Kereny's wedding, determined to save her before her fated death. He arrives bloodied and desperate, interrupting the ceremony and claiming Kereny as his mate. The circus of hunters, Kereny's found family, is thrown into chaos. Kereny, a leader and monster huntress, is both repulsed and fascinated by the Lykae's claim. Munro's arrival sets off a chain of events that will test the limits of fate, free will, and the cost of love.

Circus of Hunters

Kereny's life is defined by the Night War—her circus is both a haven and a battleground for those who hunt immortals. Her wedding to Jacob, her steadfast partner, is interrupted by Munro's arrival. The circus is preparing for a deadly battle against a pack of newling Lykae, and Kereny's leadership is crucial. Munro's presence, his claim of matehood, and his supernatural allure unsettle her. When she incapacitates him with a hexed blade, the hunters debate his fate. Kereny's sense of duty and her own code of honor are pitted against the pull of destiny.

The Wolf's Obsession

Munro awakens, barely escaping death at Kereny's hands, and abducts her into the perilous forest. As they flee, hunted by both her people and supernatural threats, Munro's need to protect Kereny wars with her determination to return and defend her own. Their journey is fraught with danger—ghouls, portals, and the ever-present threat of the newling pack. The chemistry between them intensifies, but so does their conflict: Kereny refuses to be claimed or changed, while Munro cannot let her go. Each is forced to confront what they are willing to sacrifice for the other.

Escape and Bargain

Forced to hide in a cave, Munro and Kereny are trapped together, their mutual attraction simmering beneath layers of mistrust and trauma. They share their histories, wounds, and desires, each revealing vulnerabilities. Munro's past—his lost mortal son, his brother's pain—mirrors Kereny's own losses. As the newling threat draws closer, Kereny bargains with Munro: if he helps save her people, she will become his mate. The promise is made under duress, but it forges a bond that will shape both their destinies.

The Relentless Chase

Munro fights the newling pack, risking his life and sanity to fulfill his vow. The battle is brutal, and Kereny's people suffer heavy losses, but with Munro's help, they survive. In the aftermath, Kereny is torn between gratitude and resentment—her vow binds her to Munro, but her heart is still with her old life. Munro, fading from the effects of time travel, races to bring Kereny through the gateway to his own era, knowing that history cannot be changed, but lives can be saved—at a terrible cost.

Seduction and Betrayal

In modern New Orleans, Kereny is thrust into a world of wonders and terrors. She mourns her lost time, her family, and her autonomy. Munro, desperate to win her trust, seeks a way to make her immortal, believing it is the only way to keep her safe. Their relationship is a dance of seduction and betrayal, each testing the other's limits. The warlocks pursue them, and the threat of the Accession—the great war of immortals—looms. Kereny must decide if she can forgive Munro, and if she can ever accept the Lore as her home.

The Newling Onslaught

Seeking answers, Munro and Kereny travel to Dacia, the hidden vampire kingdom, to bargain for the Ring of Sums—a wish-granting artifact. They navigate the treacherous politics of the Lore, encountering Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, and his queen Ellie. The ring's power is seductive but dangerous, and the price for its use is steep. Kereny's resolve is tested as she faces the possibility of losing her humanity forever. Munro, willing to pay any price, must confront the consequences of his obsession.

Sacrifice and Survival

Dorada, the Queen of Evil, offers Munro the ring in exchange for an open-ended vow. Kereny pleads with him not to accept, sensing the trap, but Munro is willing to sacrifice his own immortality to be with her. In a moment of clarity, he chooses to trust Kereny's judgment, refusing the ring and its curse. Dorada's wrath is unleashed, and both Munro and Kereny are mortally wounded by Wendigos. With time running out, Munro must bite Kereny again, hoping against hope that this time, the fire will take.

Time's Price and Loss

Kereny dies, and Munro is left in despair, caring for her body and their unborn children. Days pass with no sign of resurrection, and Munro prepares to follow her into death. At the last moment, Kereny returns—reborn as a Lykae, her beast fierce and untamed. Their reunion is both passionate and perilous, as Kereny must learn to control her new nature. The full moon brings both ecstasy and danger, and the couple's love is tested by the primal forces within and without.

A Future Stolen

As Kereny's pregnancy nears its end, the warlocks launch a final assault on Glenrial, suffocating the settlement with magic. Kereny goes into labor as the battle rages, and Munro must rely on allies and Kereny's own strength to save their family. The nymphs, once neutral, rise in vengeance, destroying the warlocks and ending Jels's reign. Kereny's beast threatens to consume her during childbirth, but through trust and understanding, she finds a way to coexist with her new self, ensuring her survival and that of her sons.

The Lore's Hidden City

With the warlocks defeated and their children born, Munro and Kereny begin to build a new life together. They find community among the Lykae, witches, and other immortals, forging bonds that transcend old enmities. Kereny embraces her role as a Sentinel, protector of the woods, and Munro learns to let go of his fears. Their love, once forged in desperation and loss, becomes a source of strength and hope for the future.

The Ring of Sums

The Ring of Sums remains a symbol of the dangers of unchecked desire and the importance of choice. Munro and Kereny's journey teaches them that true power lies not in magic or immortality, but in trust, sacrifice, and the willingness to change. The Lore's great war looms, but for now, they have found peace in each other and in the family they have created.

The Sorceress's Bargain

Dorada's defeat is not just a victory over an enemy, but a triumph of love and free will over manipulation and fate. Kereny's refusal to be changed against her will, and Munro's willingness to sacrifice everything for her happiness, break the cycle of violence and obsession that has haunted them both. Their story becomes a legend in the Lore—a tale of two warriors who defied destiny and found their own path.

Transformation and Trust

Kereny's struggle to control her beast mirrors her journey to accept her new life. With Munro's support and her own determination, she learns that strength comes from within, and that true partnership is built on mutual respect. Together, they face the challenges of parenthood, leadership, and the ever-present threats of the Lore, forging a bond that is unbreakable.

Birth Under Siege

The birth of their twins under siege is a testament to resilience and the power of love. Kereny's ability to master her beast at the crucial moment ensures her survival and the future of her family. The settlement's victory over the warlocks is hard-won, but it marks a turning point—a new era of cooperation and hope among the immortals.

The Beast Within

With the war behind them, Munro and Kereny find purpose in their roles as parents, leaders, and protectors. Their love, once fraught with pain and sacrifice, becomes a source of joy and inspiration. The Lore's great war may still be on the horizon, but for now, they have carved out a place of safety and belonging—a home where love, trust, and courage reign.

The Fork in the Road

The story ends with Munro and Kereny looking to the future, their sons at their side, and the promise of new adventures ahead. Their journey is a reminder that destiny is not a chain, but a path—one that can be shaped by courage, sacrifice, and the willingness to choose love over fear.

New Beginnings, Old Wars

As the Lore braces for the coming Accession, Munro and Kereny's story becomes a beacon of hope and defiance. Their love, forged in the crucible of time, loss, and transformation, stands as proof that even in a world of monsters and magic, humanity—and the choice to love—can prevail.

Characters

Munro MacRieve

Munro is a nine-hundred-year-old Lykae, defined by his loyalty, strength, and deep-seated wounds. Twin to Will, he has spent centuries as a sentinel, soldier, and caretaker, haunted by the loss of his parents and his mortal son. His psyche is marked by a need to protect, a fear of loss, and a struggle to control his beast. Munro's journey is one of obsession transformed into devotion—his love for Kereny drives him to defy time, fate, and even his own nature. Through sacrifice and vulnerability, he learns that true strength lies in trust and the willingness to change for love.

Kereny "Ren" Codrina

Kereny is a mortal leader, a blade huntress, and the heart of her circus of hunters. Orphaned young, she is shaped by loss, duty, and a relentless drive to protect others. Her independence and pride are both her armor and her vulnerability. Kereny's journey is one of transformation—forced into the Lore, she must reconcile her hatred of monsters with the reality of her own new nature. Her struggle to maintain agency, even as fate and love threaten to consume her, is the emotional core of the story. Ultimately, she finds power in choice, forging a partnership with Munro that is built on respect and mutual sacrifice.

Will MacRieve

Will is Munro's twin, a Lykae marked by trauma, guilt, and a volatile beast. His history of abuse and loss has left him self-destructive, but his mate Chloe and Munro's unwavering support help him find healing. Will's journey mirrors Munro's—a testament to the power of love, family, and the possibility of redemption. His growth from a source of worry to a pillar of strength is a quiet but vital thread in the narrative.

Jacob Howard

Jacob is Kereny's human husband, a loyal and gentle soul who fights alongside her in the Night War. Though overshadowed by Munro's supernatural presence, Jacob's love is genuine and self-sacrificing. He releases Kereny to Munro to save her life, embodying the story's theme of love as letting go. His eventual happiness with another is a bittersweet affirmation of the power of moving on.

Jels the Conniver

Jels is the leader of the Forgotten, a master manipulator driven by fear and a lust for power. His obsession with controlling the Lykae and amassing an army of vassals makes him a formidable antagonist. Jels's cruelty is matched only by his cunning, and his downfall is a testament to the dangers of unchecked ambition and the resilience of those he seeks to destroy.

Dorada, Queen of Evil

Dorada is the ancient sorceress who wields the Ring of Sums, offering wishes at a terrible price. Her allure is matched by her malice—she preys on the desperate, twisting their desires into chains. Dorada's role as both tempter and adversary highlights the story's central conflict between agency and fate, and her defeat is a victory for free will over manipulation.

Lothaire, the Enemy of Old

Lothaire is a legendary figure in the Lore, a vampire whose age and power make him both a threat and a source of wisdom. His relationship with his human Bride, Ellie, mirrors Munro and Kereny's struggles, offering both caution and hope. Lothaire's sardonic wit and shifting loyalties add complexity to the political landscape of the Lore.

Ellie, Queen of Dacia

Ellie is Lothaire's Bride, a former mortal who brings empathy, humor, and perspective to the immortal court. Her journey from victim to queen is a model for Kereny, and her friendship is a source of comfort and guidance. Ellie's ability to forgive and adapt is a quiet but powerful force in the story.

Loa, the Priestess

Loa is a voodoo priestess and shopkeeper, a mortal with mysterious powers and deep connections in the Lore. She aids Munro and Kereny with wisdom, magic, and practical support, embodying the theme that help can come from unexpected places. Her own entanglements with the Ring of Sums and the Lore's politics add depth to her character.

The Beast (Kereny's Lykae Side)

The beast within Kereny is both a threat and a source of power—a manifestation of her new immortal nature. Its presence forces Kereny to confront her fears, her desires, and her capacity for change. Mastering the beast becomes a metaphor for self-acceptance and the integration of past and present selves.

Plot Devices

Time Travel and Fate

The narrative's central device is the warlocks' time-travel gateway, which allows Munro to attempt to change fate by saving Kereny. This device raises questions about predestination, the cost of altering history, and the limits of free will. The story uses time travel not as a means to erase the past, but to confront it—forcing characters to accept that some losses cannot be undone, only transformed.

The Mate Bond

The Lykae's mate bond is a powerful force, driving Munro's obsession and Kereny's resistance. It serves as both a source of conflict and a path to healing, challenging both characters to redefine what it means to choose love. The bond is explored with nuance, showing its dangers (obsession, loss of agency) and its redemptive potential (trust, sacrifice).

The Ring of Sums

The Ring of Sums is a classic monkey's paw device—granting wishes at a terrible cost. It tempts characters to seek shortcuts to happiness, only to reveal that true fulfillment requires sacrifice and wisdom. The ring's presence foreshadows the dangers of unchecked desire and the importance of agency.

Transformation and the Beast

Kereny's transformation into a Lykae is both literal and symbolic—a journey from mortal to immortal, from hunter to hunted, from self-reliance to partnership. The struggle to master the beast within is a metaphor for self-acceptance, the integration of trauma, and the forging of a new identity.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The story is laced with prophecies, omens, and the ever-present threat of the Accession. Characters are haunted by visions of loss and hope, forced to navigate a world where the future is both fixed and fluid. Foreshadowing is used to build tension and to highlight the stakes of every choice.

Narrative Structure

The narrative alternates between Munro and Kereny's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the external action and the internal emotional journey. The story is structured around cycles—of death and rebirth, love and loss, war and peace—emphasizing the possibility of change and the enduring power of hope.

Analysis

Munro is a sweeping, emotionally charged tale that reimagines the paranormal romance genre as a meditation on fate, agency, and the transformative power of love. At its heart, the novel is about two wounded souls—Munro, the haunted immortal, and Kereny, the fierce mortal huntress—who are forced to confront the limits of their own strength and the cost of their desires. The story interrogates the tension between destiny and free will, using time travel and the mate bond as metaphors for the struggle to choose one's path in a world governed by supernatural forces. Kereny's journey from resistance to acceptance, and Munro's evolution from obsession to self-sacrifice, offer a nuanced exploration of partnership, trust, and the necessity of change. The novel's rich world-building, complex characters, and deft use of plot devices create a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply human. Ultimately, Munro is a story about the courage to love in the face of loss, the wisdom to let go of control, and the hope that even in a world of monsters, humanity—and the freedom to choose—can prevail.

Last updated: September 23, 2025