Direbound

Meryn, the protagonist, is the novel’s only narrator. Known as the Alleycat of the Eastern Quarter, Meryn is the undefeated champion of the pit, where she fights for money to support her family. Her father died in a battle against the Siphons, and after her mother began to have visions, Meryn became her family’s sole breadwinner. When the Nabbers kidnap her younger sister, Saela, Meryn enlists in the army, hoping to find Saela before the Siphons kill her.

Meryn is romantically attached to Lee, whom she believes is a court messenger but is concealing his identity as Killian Valtiere, the Crown Prince of Nocturna. The timing of her enlistment coincides with the randomized call for the Bonding Trials, and she’s forced to participate in the first trial, an ascent of Mount Wolfsbane. There, the direwolf Anassa forces her into a bond, but Meryn wounds Anassa’s pride when she disregards and mistrusts her. The forced bond changes her appearance: Whereas most bonded riders have a streak of their pack’s color, Meryn’s hair turns completely silver. The color marks her as part of the Strategos pack.

Strong-willed and hyper-independent, Meryn has difficulty navigating the politics of the castle as she completes her Rawbond training.