Being a palace guard was one of the highest honors, next to being chosen to mate with one of the princesses. One of his best friends, Alexander, was destined to marry Ulric's childhood sweetheart, Delia Demori—the last princess. Of course, she didn't know how he felt. They were young and foolish back then, and Delia very much a Tom Boy. He'd originally applied to be a palace guard to get close to her, not willing to let their social statuses separate them as adults. But it had all been in vain. Three males were chosen for her, and within a year of finding out, she fled with her sisters, never to be seen or heard from again. Now only one of her original mates remained, impatiently waiting for her return. If she ever came back home they'd be married as soon as two other males were selected. They'd be chosen from the list of qualified shifters who'd applied and passed every test with flying colors. Ulric was restricted from applying because the royals said this generation already had a bear shifter, thanks to Carna's mating, and they didn't want another.
