Jakeb is an Imperial were-panther who wants an heir. Problem is, he doesn't want a mate. When he rescues Kaitlyn from an abusive trader, he proposes a deal: freedom for her, an heir for him.

He's startled to find he can't keep his hands or his heart away from his new acquisition, but she has secrets of her own and they discover power isn't all about strength as they are drawn into the age-old mating dance.