The village was buzzing long before sunrise.

Women gathered at the riverbanks in their finest woven dresses, exchanging nervous glances as they filled clay jars. Others carried baskets of fruit, embroidered gifts, or freshly hunted game toward the chief’s longhouse. Mothers whispered advice to daughters. Grandmothers shared old stories. Every unmarried woman in the tribe seemed to have the same goal.

Win his favor.

It wasn’t strange. In fact, it was expected.

When a young woman wished to court a man, she was encouraged to show her interest openly. But this season was different.

Because the man every woman sought was not just any hunter or warrior.

He was Kaelen, son of Chief Tarek.

And soon, he would become chief himself.

At twenty-four winters, Kaelen had already accomplished more than most warriors twice his age. He was renowned for his intelligence, respected by the elders for his wisdom, feared by enemies for his skill in battle, and admired by his people for his steady leadership. When disputes arose, he settled them fairly. When danger threatened the tribe, he was always the first to stand between his people and harm.

And unfortunately for him, he was also devastatingly handsome.

Tall and broad-shouldered, with sun-bronzed skin, dark hair that brushed his shoulders, and sharp amber eyes that seemed to notice everything, Kaelen looked like he had stepped straight out of a legend.

To many, he seemed perfect.

Which was exactly the problem.

Every unmarried woman in the tribe wanted him.

Every. Single. One.