Charlie Gavin is a panther shifter and the Beta of the Thirteen - the group to become the next Dásreach Council. But, to become the council the Thirteen must find their mates. When his best friend and Alpha, Kai Darrow, called, Charlie was happy his friend found his mate, but a bit jealous too. That was until he saw Natalie on the side of the road with her friends after a blown tire. His panther's natural instincts immediately took control and his passions rose with each interaction with the emotionally distanced ex-Marine.Natalie Matthews, goes by Nat, decided a long time ago that living life only got you hurt. She devoted herself to the Marines and when she questioned her life as a soldier; she retired and began helping wounded soldiers that spoke to her own wounded heart. Her life was rewarding, but lonely, until the Book Worms. Control and logic ruled her life, but paranormal romance and her Book Worms gave her a place to release her deepest hidden desires. Desires that manifested in one cocky British Dásreach panther.Unbeknownst to the Thirteen a darkness is working against them, preventing possible mates from coming into contact with them. Working in the shadows and using human pawns, the darkness has set its sights on Natalie and her friends.Can they release the past before the future they're building crumbles?