The Giving Chronicles Series by Elayna R. Gallea

She's born to die. He lives to hunt. Wren was born bearing a Mark on her forehead. She’s always known she would be Given to serve the gods in her twentieth year, and she’s eager to work for them since they keep the kingdom safe. That is until she sneaks into a Giving Ceremony and watches as her best friend is slaughtered in the name of the gods. Horrified, Wren escapes her village under the cover of darkness. Her plan is simple: flee the kingdom and stay alive... moreShe's born to die. He lives to hunt. Wren was born bearing a Mark on her forehead. She’s always known she would be Given to serve the gods in her twentieth year, and she’s eager to work for them since they keep the kingdom safe. That is until she sneaks into a Giving Ceremony and watches as her best friend is slaughtered in the name of the gods. Horrified, Wren escapes her village under the cover of darkness. Her plan is simple: flee the kingdom and stay alive. Surviving is going well until she stumbles upon an injured, unconscious man in the woods. Unwilling to leave him to die, she heals him. Only, when he wakes, she realizes he’s a Hunter. And his prey? Her. Now, he’s in her debt. Inexplicably drawn to her and caught in a moral quandary, he gives her a gift: one day’s head start. Marked Ones must be returned to the gods. It’s the law. And when the Hunter catches her, she’ll do whatever it takes to get away…. Given is the first book in The Giving Chronicles, a new slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, epic romantasy series from the author of Tethered and A Game of Love and Betrayal. less

Nothing is as it seems. The Giving Season has ended, but the onset of winter hasn’t brought Wren peace. The king is still after her, and he has more reason than ever to want her dead. In possession of magic she shouldn’t have, she’s desperate to flee the capital. There’s just one person who can help Gabriel Moreau, the Hunter who chased Wren across the country, duty-bound to bring her to justice... moreNothing is as it seems. The Giving Season has ended, but the onset of winter hasn’t brought Wren peace. The king is still after her, and he has more reason than ever to want her dead. In possession of magic she shouldn’t have, she’s desperate to flee the capital. There’s just one person who can help Gabriel Moreau, the Hunter who chased Wren across the country, duty-bound to bring her to justice. Forced to make the most difficult decision he’s ever faced, Gabriel chooses to break his oath and vows anew to protect Wren. Now, he too will be hunted. Together, Wren and Gabriel race across the kingdom to escape the king’s wrath. But the cost of safety is steep, and life on the run is more dangerous than ever. Even with the Hunter by her side, their bond growing stronger with each obstacle, Wren is all too aware that everything, especially the notion of safety, is a lie. This is book two in The Giving Chronicles, and it should be read after Given. less