The Carrier's Burden (The Solhiem Pack, #3)

A haunted past. A loyal son. Can an unexpected bond break the chains of expectation?
Emilia Argen, a powerful carrier mage, carries the heavy burden of her bloodline. Raised to be a vessel for magical lineage, her worth determined by her ability to produce strong offspring, she has built formidable walls around her heart. Now, in the embracing territory of the Solheim Pack, she meticulously performs her duties, striving to be seen as more than just a prized commodity, all while fighting the terrifying echoes of her past.
James Whitaker, son of the traditional Ashriver Pack, is no stranger to the weight of family expectations. His mother, Martha, constantly pushes him towards a "suitable" mate, seeking to solidify Ashriver's influence. When a chance encounter brings him into Emilia's orbit, he finds himself drawn to her sharp wit and guarded intelligence, a stark contrast to the women his family champions.
Their connection begins tentatively, a quiet curiosity that deepens into a fierce, unexpected love. But Emilia's deepest fears resurface when she realizes she is pregnant. The child, a rare and powerful mage-shifter hybrid, becomes a target for Martha Whitaker's manipulative ambitions, who sees it as a strategic asset for Ashriver. Emilia, terrified of her child becoming another pawn in a lineage game, pushes James away, convinced he will ultimately choose his family's demands over her.
As Ashriver's pressure intensifies, forcing Emilia and James to confront their fractured relationship, they must choose their loyalties. Can James finally stand against his formidable family for the woman he loves and the child he cherishes? And can Emilia, burdened by a lifetime of being valued only for her potential, finally tear down her walls and embrace her inherent worth as a woman, a partner, and a mother, proving that true family is chosen, not born?
If you love:- A powerful mage battling internal demons- Wolf shifters and intense family dynamics- Clean paranormal fantasy romance- Emotional slow-burn romance and deep character arcs- Secrets, defiant choices, and the fight for autonomy
This is the book for you!
From Abigail O. Nwaocha, this clean paranormal fantasy romance is the next book in a beloved series. It contains a Happily Ever After (HEA) for the main couple and can be read as a standalone with no cliffhangers. Each book in the series has its own complete story centered around a new theme and romance, while still bringing in familiar faces.